1913 CE
Astra AB Founded in Sweden
Astra AB is founded in Södertälje, Sweden, initially focusing on local anesthetics. #pharmaceuticals #history )
Chronological Storyline (31 Milestones)
1948 CE
Astra Launches Xylocaine
Astra introduces Xylocaine (lidocaine), a local anesthetic that becomes a worldwide success. #pharmaceuticals #innovation
By Ben Mills - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5750147
1972 CE
Discovery of Omeprazole (Losec)
Astra scientists discover omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor that later becomes Losec (Prilosec), revolutionizing acid reflux treatment. #pharmaceuticals #research
1988 CE
Losec Launches in Sweden
Astra launches Losec (omeprazole) in Sweden, which quickly becomes the world's best-selling drug. #pharmaceuticals #blockbuster
Jun 1, 1993 CE
Zeneca Group Spun Off from ICI
Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) spins off its pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals divisions to form Zeneca Group PLC. #mergers #pharmaceuticals
1995 CE
Zeneca Acquires Salick Health Care
Zeneca acquires Salick Health Care, a US-based cancer care provider, to expand oncology presence. #acquisitions #oncology
Apr 6, 1999 CE
Astra and Zeneca Merge to Form AstraZeneca
Astra AB and Zeneca Group merge to create AstraZeneca PLC, a global pharmaceutical powerhouse. #mergers #pharmaceuticals
By FDV - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=172317275
2000 CE
Launch of Nexium (Esomeprazole)
AstraZeneca launches Nexium, an improved version of Prilosec, which becomes a blockbuster drug for acid reflux. #pharmaceuticals #blockbuster
By Vaccinationist - PubChem, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=41031505
2001 CE
AstraZeneca Acquires KuDOS Pharmaceuticals
AstraZeneca acquires KuDOS Pharmaceuticals, a UK biotech focused on DNA repair inhibitors, boosting oncology pipeline. #acquisitions #oncology
2003 CE
Prilosec Loses Patent Protection
AstraZeneca loses US patent protection for Prilosec, leading to generic competition and revenue decline. #patents #pharmaceuticals
Aug 1, 2005 CE
FDA Approves Crestor (Rosuvastatin)
The US FDA approves Crestor, a statin for cholesterol lowering, which becomes a top-selling drug for AstraZeneca. #pharmaceuticals #approval
By KaiserDog21 - Created with w:ChemDraw Professional and Discovery Studio Visualizer. Edited with w:paint.net., CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=127869705
Jun 1, 2007 CE
AstraZeneca Acquires MedImmune
AstraZeneca completes $15.6 billion acquisition of MedImmune, gaining entry into biologics and vaccines. #acquisitions #biologics
2010 CE
Acquisition of Novexel
AstraZeneca acquires Novexel, a French biotech developing antibiotics, to address antimicrobial resistance. #acquisitions #antibiotics
2011 CE
Acquisition of Spirogen
AstraZeneca acquires Spirogen, a UK biotech specializing in antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), strengthening cancer therapy. #acquisitions #oncology
Oct 1, 2012 CE
Pascal Soriot Appointed CEO
Pascal Soriot becomes CEO of AstraZeneca, succeeding David Brennan, and leads a major turnaround. #leadership #pharmaceuticals
By Virginia Office of the Governor - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gy74/54671066162/, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=176528360
Mar 1, 2013 CE
Restructuring and Job Cuts Announced
AstraZeneca announces a major restructuring plan, cutting 2,300 jobs to reduce costs and improve efficiency. #restructuring #pharmaceuticals
May 19, 2014 CE
Pfizer Abandons Takeover Bid
Pfizer attempts a £63 billion hostile takeover of AstraZeneca, which is rejected, and Pfizer ultimately withdraws. #mergers #pharmaceuticals
Nov 1, 2015 CE
FDA Approves Tagrisso (Osimertinib)
The FDA approves Tagrisso for EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer, becoming a key oncology product. #approval #oncology
By Vaccinationist - Own work using: PubChem, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=44998170
Dec 1, 2015 CE
Acquisition of ZS Pharma
AstraZeneca acquires ZS Pharma for $2.7 billion, adding ZS-9 (sodium zirconium cyclosilicate) for hyperkalemia. #acquisitions #pharmaceuticals
2016 CE
Acquisition of Acerta Pharma Majority Stake
AstraZeneca acquires a majority stake in Acerta Pharma, gaining Calquence (acalabrutinib) for blood cancers. #acquisitions #oncology
May 1, 2017 CE
FDA Approves Imfinzi (Durvalumab)
The FDA approves Imfinzi for bladder cancer, marking AstraZeneca's entry into the immunotherapy market. #approval #immunotherapy
By Fvasconcellos (talk · contribs) - Own work, after PDB 5X8M. More information: (July 2017). "Molecular mechanism of PD-1/PD-L1 blockade via anti-PD-L1 antibodies atezolizumab and durvalumab". Sci Rep 7 (1): 5532. DOI:10.1038/s41598-017-06002-8. PMID 28717238. PMC: 5514103., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=95837078
2018 CE
AstraZeneca Partners with Daiichi Sankyo on Enhertu
AstraZeneca collaborates with Daiichi Sankyo to develop and market trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu) for HER2-positive cancers. #partnership #oncology
By Fvasconcellos (talk · contribs) - Own work., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=118818726
Apr 1, 2020 CE
COVID-19 Vaccine Development with Oxford University
AstraZeneca partners with the University of Oxford to develop the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine (AZD1222). #COVID19 #vaccine
By Arne Müseler - own work http://www.arne-mueseler.com, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=100539888
Dec 30, 2020 CE
UK Authorizes AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine
The UK becomes the first country to authorize the AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use. #COVID19 #approval
Jul 21, 2021 CE
Acquisition of Alexion Pharmaceuticals Completed
AstraZeneca completes its $39 billion acquisition of Alexion, gaining rare disease drugs and strengthening immunology. #acquisitions #rare_disease
By ajay_suresh - Alexion Pharmaceuticals, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=154686224
2021 CE
AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine Reaches Global Milestones
Over 2 billion doses of the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine are supplied worldwide at no profit during the pandemic. #COVID19 #global_health
Oct 1, 2022 CE
AstraZeneca Acquires CinCor Pharma
AstraZeneca acquires CinCor Pharma for up to $1.8 billion, adding a hypertension candidate (baxdrostat). #acquisitions #hypertension
Mar 1, 2023 CE
AstraZeneca Acquires Fusion Pharmaceuticals
AstraZeneca acquires Fusion Pharmaceuticals for $2 billion, gaining next-generation radioconjugates for cancer therapy. #acquisitions #oncology
Dec 1, 2023 CE
AstraZeneca Acquires Gracell Biotechnologies
AstraZeneca acquires Gracell Biotechnologies for up to $1.2 billion, gaining cell therapy capabilities for cancer and autoimmune diseases. #acquisitions #cell_therapy
Jun 1, 2024 CE
FDA Approves Enhertu for Multiple Cancers
The FDA approves Enhertu for expanded uses, including HER2-low breast cancer and lung cancer, solidifying AstraZeneca's oncology leadership. #approval #oncology
Sep 1, 2024 CE
AstraZeneca Reaches $100 Billion Market Cap
AstraZeneca becomes the first UK-listed company to reach a $100 billion market capitalization under CEO Pascal Soriot. #financial #growth