Dr Claes Wilhelmsson, AstraZeneca's Director of Research & Development said: "AstraZeneca R&D Boston will play an important role in achieving our target to deliver three or more medically important, commercially successful, new products per year."

Dr Tom McKillop, chief executive of AstraZeneca said, "AstraZeneca R&D Boston exemplifies our commitment to expand our capabilities in the important US market. The new site will enable AstraZeneca to take advantage of an outstanding pool of US-based scientists and other healthcare professionals and enable us to establish and strengthen relationships with some of the most prestigious institutions in the world."

AstraZeneca is a major international healthcare business engaged in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of ethical (prescription) pharmaceuticals and the supply of healthcare services. It is one of the top five pharmaceutical companies in the world with healthcare sales of over $15 billion and leading positions in sales of gastrointestinal, oncology, anaesthesia including pain management, cardiovascular, central nervous system (CNS) and respiratory products.