About AstraZeneca
Our aim is to push the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines. We will achieve this by placing science at the centre of everything we do. Join us in exploring what science can do.
At AstraZeneca, our aim is to push the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines. We will achieve this by placing science at the centre of everything we do and pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
Our research and development model
Distinctive science starts in our two biotech units, which conduct innovative discovery research and early-stage development from initial target selection to Phase II trial completion. Our Innovative Medicines and Early Development (IMED) biotech unit focuses on scientific advances in small molecules, oligonucleotides and other emerging technologies and drug discovery platforms while MedImmune focuses on biologics research. Global Medicines Development (GMD) is our science unit focused on large Phase III clinical trial programmes that support the approval, launch and reimbursement of new medicines, as well as lifecycle management.
At AstraZeneca, we push the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines. Our unique combination of scientific capabilities in small molecules, biologics, immunotherapies and antibody engineering put us in a strong position to develop the targeted novel medicines and combinations required to meet patient needs.
Why Open Innovation?
At AstraZeneca we pride ourselves on being one of the most porous and open collaborators in our industry. We are passionate about working openly with the best scientists around the world to understand key pathways and mechanisms that can help transform great science into great medicines.
Together, we can accelerate medical science to make a real difference for patients
We continue to find new and innovative ways of collaborating with academic institutions, biotechs and pharmaceutical companies. By sharing knowledge and resources with other scientists, we collectively stand a much better chance of delivering effective treatments for serious diseases.
We are interested in collaborating with research partners across all stages of drug discovery; from the initial idea through to early clinical development.
Our Open Innovation platform provides an open, collaborative approach to link our expertise, unique research tools, optimised molecules, technologies and challenges with your research capabilities and interests. So let’s work together to accelerate the advancement of medical science and bring novel therapies to patients.
What it means for you
Working with AstraZeneca means access to optimised compounds, compound libraries, technologies, services and know-how, as well as the possibility of joint publications in high-profile journals. Most importantly, it brings the opportunity to see your ideas develop into treatments for patients who need them.
Hear from our academic research partners
Karolinska Institutet collaboration
AstraZeneca has collaborated with Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, one of the world’s leading medical research universities, for many years on different projects.
In 2013, we created a joint centre for research on cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. This goes deeper than the usual industry-academia partnership, as scientists from both partners work side-by-side in a dedicated university unit to develop new therapies for people in need. The Integrated Cardio Metabolic Centre (ICMC) aims to identify and validate novel targets within cardiometabolic diseases, focusing on three strategic research areas: heart failure, diabetes and chronic kidney disease across both small molecules and biologics.
Meet our core team
Craig Wegner
Open Innovation Platform Lead & Clinical Compound Bank Lead
Pamela (Pam) Hill
Open Innovation Programme Manager
Hitesh Sanganee
Open Innovation Platform Specialist
Rebecca Fairclough
Preclinical Toolbox Lead
Natascha Bezdenejnih-Snyder
Oncology Toolbox Lead
Garry Pairaudeau
Target Innovation Co-Lead
Dave Smith
Target Innovation Co-Lead
Abdul Ingar
New Molecule Profiling Lead
Robert Albert
Challenges Lead
Responsible research
We want to be recognised for our high-quality science and for the impact we can make on serious diseases – and to be trusted for the way in which we do that. This means setting and living up to high standards of ethical practice across all aspects of our research activity worldwide, including clinical trials and research with animals.
Our Code of Conduct requires that our research be conducted in accordance with all relevant external laws and regulations. Our Code also requires compliance with our Bioethics Policy, which describes our commitment beyond legal compliance and defines the ethical standards, principles and behaviours governing all our research and development activity worldwide.