AstraZeneca announces major investment to support worldwide growth of Symbicort

Main Category: Respiratory / Asthma
Article Date: 04 May 2004 - 0:00 PDT

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AstraZeneca today announced a major investment in new production facilities to support the further growth of Symbicort, the Company's key respiratory product for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Representing an investment of over $114 million, this latest development will result in the creation of around 150 new manufacturing jobs at AstraZeneca's production site in Dunkerque, France.

The new facilities will help AstraZeneca expand its manufacturing capacity for Symbicort as the product continues to gain share in the rapidly growing market for fixed combination asthma and COPD treatments. This increased production capability will also ensure the Company is fully prepared for further launches of the product around the world.

Sir Tom McKillop, Chief Executive of AstraZeneca, said: "Symbicort is a very important and exciting product for AstraZeneca. Our decision to expand our manufacturing capabilities in Dunkerque is evidence of our commitment to the future success of this key respiratory brand around the world."

AstraZeneca has a long and successful history in respiratory medicine and a strong commitment to further developments. Symbicort, a combination of the inhaled corticosteroid budesonide and the long- and rapid-acting bronchodilator formoterol, was first approved in 2000 and has since then undertaken a successful journey of development and commercialisation. The product is now approved in 85 countries and has an indication for both asthma and COPD.

The current worldwide market for fixed combination products is estimated to be worth $3.9 billion.

Symbicort has so far been delivered via the dry powder inhaler, Turbuhaler, but a new pressurized Metered Dose Inhaler (pMDI) is currently under development to serve as an alternative treatment option to meet different patient preferences.

To assist with the manufacturing process, the new facilities at Dunkerque will include the expansion of additional pMDI filling and packing capacity, as well as projects to upgrade and expand existing infrastructure.

AstraZeneca is a major international healthcare business engaged in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of prescription pharmaceuticals and the supply of healthcare services.

It is one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies with healthcare sales of over $18.8 billion and leading positions in sales of gastrointestinal, oncology, cardiovascular, neuroscience and respiratory products. The company currently employs over 11,600 people at 11 R&D centres in seven countries, including the UK, Sweden, the US, Canada, France, India and Japan.

Further enquiries to:

Media Enquiries:

Jean-Yves Maire (Dunkerque/ French Media Enquiries) Tel: +33 1 41 294019
Joan Pitt (Manufacturing / Operations Enquiries) Tel: +44 1625 519079
Cecila Svensson (Symbicort Media Enquiries) Tel: +46 46 337772
Steve Brown (Corporate / Business Media Enquiries) Tel: +44 207 3045033
Edel McCaffrey (Corporate / Business Media Enquiries) Tel: +44 207 3045034

Source: http://www.astrazeneca.com/pressrelease/1883.aspx

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