Company Description
AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines. According to its regulatory filings, AstraZeneca concentrates on three main areas: Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, which include Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. The company is based in Cambridge, United Kingdom, and reports that its medicines are sold in more than 125 countries and used by millions of patients worldwide.
Business focus and therapeutic areas
AstraZeneca’s core business is the research, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines. In Oncology, the company highlights work across multiple tumour types, including breast cancer, lung cancer, gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers, and other HER2‑targetable and TROP2‑expressing solid tumours. Its disclosures describe a broad oncology portfolio that includes antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) such as Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) and Datroway (datopotamab deruxtecan), immuno‑oncology agents such as Imfinzi (durvalumab), and targeted therapies such as the PARP inhibitor Lynparza (olaparib).
In Rare Diseases, through Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, the company focuses on conditions with significant unmet medical need. An example from recent filings is Koselugo (selumetinib), an oral MEK inhibitor approved for certain patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) who have symptomatic, inoperable plexiform neurofibromas. In BioPharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca’s Respiratory & Immunology franchise includes medicines such as Saphnelo (anifrolumab) for systemic lupus erythematosus, where the company is developing both intravenous and subcutaneous self‑administration options.
Oncology pipeline and collaborations
AstraZeneca’s SEC filings and news releases describe an extensive global clinical development programme in oncology. With Enhertu, a HER2‑directed DXd ADC discovered by Daiichi Sankyo, AstraZeneca is jointly developing and commercialising the medicine across multiple HER2‑expressing cancers, including breast, lung, gastric, gastroesophageal junction and other solid tumours. Enhertu has received multiple approvals worldwide in settings such as unresectable or metastatic HER2‑positive breast cancer, HER2‑low breast cancer, HER2‑mutant non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), HER2‑positive gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma, and certain HER2‑positive solid tumours, as outlined in recent 6‑K filings.
Datroway, a TROP2‑directed DXd ADC, is also being jointly developed and commercialised with Daiichi Sankyo, except in Japan where Daiichi Sankyo retains exclusive rights. Company disclosures describe a comprehensive global programme with more than 20 trials across cancers such as NSCLC, triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and urothelial cancer. Phase 3 trials, including TROPION‑Lung and TROPION‑Breast studies, evaluate Datroway as monotherapy and in combination with other treatments. AstraZeneca identifies Datroway as one of the most advanced programmes in its ADC scientific platform.
Imfinzi (durvalumab), a human monoclonal antibody targeting PD‑L1, is another key oncology asset. Filings note that Imfinzi is used in combination with chemotherapy and other agents in several settings, including unresectable Stage III NSCLC after chemoradiotherapy, extensive‑stage small cell lung cancer, biliary tract cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and, based on the MATTERHORN trial, perioperative treatment for resectable gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers. AstraZeneca reports that Imfinzi‑based regimens have been approved in multiple indications and that hundreds of thousands of patients have been treated globally.
Rare disease and immunology portfolio
Through Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, the company emphasises long‑standing expertise in rare conditions. Recent regulatory updates describe Koselugo for NF1‑associated plexiform neurofibromas in both paediatric and adult patients, based on the KOMET Phase 3 trial. AstraZeneca notes that Koselugo has been granted orphan drug designation in multiple jurisdictions and is approved in the US, EU, Japan, China and other countries for specific NF1 patient groups.
In immunology, AstraZeneca’s Respiratory & Immunology business develops treatments for chronic, immune‑mediated diseases. Saphnelo (anifrolumab), a monoclonal antibody targeting the type I interferon receptor, is approved as an intravenous infusion for moderate to severe systemic lupus erythematosus in many countries. A recent European approval adds a subcutaneous pre‑filled pen for self‑administration in adults with SLE on standard therapy, supported by the TULIP‑SC Phase 3 trial. Company commentary links this to evolving treatment recommendations that aim for remission or low disease activity with reduced reliance on oral corticosteroids.
Global footprint and manufacturing investments
AstraZeneca states that it is based in Cambridge, UK, with medicines sold in more than 125 countries. The United States is described as the company’s largest market by sales and home to numerous R&D, manufacturing and commercial sites. A November 2025 6‑K details plans to invest $2 billion to expand manufacturing in Maryland, including an expansion of its biologics facility in Frederick and a new clinical manufacturing facility in Gaithersburg. The company indicates that these facilities will support production of medicines for cancer, autoimmune, respiratory and rare diseases and will use AI, automation and data analytics.
Other disclosures refer to additional US manufacturing investments, including a drug substance facility in Virginia and expansion of a site in Texas, as part of a broader multi‑billion‑dollar commitment to medicines manufacturing and R&D. AstraZeneca links these investments to strengthening the resilience of the US medicine supply chain and increasing capacity for its rare disease portfolio.
Digital and customer engagement capabilities
In addition to its medicine portfolio, AstraZeneca is adopting data‑driven platforms to support engagement with healthcare professionals. A Business Wire release notes that the company has selected Salesforce’s Agentforce Life Sciences for Customer Engagement as a unified global platform. The stated goal is to use AI‑powered tools to coordinate medical and commercial activities, consolidate healthcare professional insights, and personalise engagement across channels.
Regulatory reporting and capital markets profile
AstraZeneca PLC files as a foreign private issuer with the US Securities and Exchange Commission under file number 001‑11960 and uses Form 20‑F for its annual report. The company’s American Depositary Shares (ADSs) are referenced in insider transaction reports, and the filings identify ordinary shares with ISIN GB0009895292. Notifications of major holdings, such as those from institutional investors, are disclosed in standard TR‑1 forms, showing changes in voting rights.
Director and senior management share dealings are reported via 6‑K filings, which provide details of gifts of shares, sales of ADSs and related insider reporting under market abuse regulations. These filings help investors monitor insider activity and governance practices.
Clinical development and scientific strategy
Across its oncology portfolio, AstraZeneca’s filings describe a strategy of developing medicines across disease stages, from early‑stage, potentially curative settings to metastatic disease. For example, Enhertu is being studied in early breast cancer (including post‑neoadjuvant settings such as DESTINY‑Breast05), metastatic breast cancer, NSCLC, gastric cancer, endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer. Trials such as DESTINY‑Endometrial02 and DESTINY‑Ovarian01 evaluate Enhertu in adjuvant or maintenance settings in HER2‑expressing tumours.
Similarly, Imfinzi is evaluated in perioperative regimens (e.g., MATTERHORN in gastric and GEJ cancers, NIAGARA in muscle‑invasive bladder cancer) and in combination with other agents such as Imjudo (tremelimumab) and Lynparza. In breast cancer, AstraZeneca combines ADCs, endocrine therapies, PARP inhibitors and AKT inhibitors (such as Truqap and camizestrant) to address hormone receptor‑positive and triple negative subtypes. These programmes are described in multiple 6‑K exhibits as part of a broad effort to reshape treatment paradigms.
Position within pharmaceutical preparation manufacturing
Within the pharmaceutical preparation manufacturing industry, AstraZeneca is characterised in its own disclosures as a global biopharmaceutical company with a diverse portfolio of biologics, small molecules and advanced modalities such as ADCs and cell therapies. Its manufacturing footprint includes biologics facilities capable of producing medicines for oncology, autoimmune and rare diseases, and clinical manufacturing sites for innovative molecules used in trials.
The company’s emphasis on Oncology, Rare Diseases and BioPharmaceuticals, along with its extensive regulatory approvals and ongoing trials, positions it as a major participant in the development and manufacture of prescription medicines across multiple high‑need therapeutic areas.
FAQs about AstraZeneca PLC (AZN)
- What does AstraZeneca PLC do?
AstraZeneca PLC is a global, science‑led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines. Its main areas are Oncology, Rare Diseases and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology, as described in its SEC filings.
- Where is AstraZeneca based?
AstraZeneca reports that it is based in Cambridge, United Kingdom, at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. From this base, the company manages global R&D, manufacturing and commercial activities.
- In how many countries are AstraZeneca’s medicines sold?
According to multiple 6‑K filings, AstraZeneca’s innovative medicines are sold in more than 125 countries and are used by millions of patients worldwide.
- What are AstraZeneca’s main therapeutic areas?
The company identifies three core areas: Oncology; Rare Diseases (through Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease); and BioPharmaceuticals, which include Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology.
- What is AstraZeneca’s role in oncology?
AstraZeneca describes itself as leading a revolution in oncology, with a portfolio that includes ADCs such as Enhertu and Datroway, immunotherapies like Imfinzi, and targeted therapies such as Lynparza. These medicines are developed across multiple tumour types and stages, from early‑stage disease to metastatic settings.
- What is the collaboration between AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo?
AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo have a global collaboration to jointly develop and commercialise Enhertu and Datroway, except in Japan where Daiichi Sankyo maintains exclusive rights. Daiichi Sankyo is responsible for manufacturing and supply of these ADCs, as outlined in several 6‑K exhibits.
- How is AstraZeneca involved in rare diseases?
Through Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, the company develops and commercialises medicines for rare and devastating conditions. An example is Koselugo (selumetinib), approved in multiple regions for certain adults and children with NF1 and symptomatic, inoperable plexiform neurofibromas.
- What is Saphnelo and how does it fit into AstraZeneca’s portfolio?
Saphnelo (anifrolumab) is a monoclonal antibody that targets the type I interferon receptor and is used for moderate to severe systemic lupus erythematosus. Filings report its approval as an intravenous infusion in many countries and, in the EU, as a subcutaneous pre‑filled pen for self‑administration, expanding options in the Respiratory & Immunology franchise.
- Does AstraZeneca invest in manufacturing capacity?
Yes. A November 2025 6‑K describes plans to invest $2 billion to expand manufacturing in Maryland, including enlarging a biologics facility in Frederick and building a new clinical manufacturing site in Gaithersburg. The company links these investments to increased capacity for cancer, autoimmune, respiratory and rare disease medicines.
- On which markets is AstraZeneca PLC traded?
Company disclosures identify AstraZeneca PLC with listings on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), Nasdaq Stockholm (STO) and Nasdaq in the United States under the symbol AZN, with ordinary shares referenced by ISIN GB0009895292 and American Depositary Shares identified by CUSIP 046353108.