What It Does: This company produces drugs for different areas of medical practice, such as oncology, infection, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory, gastrointestinal, inflammation, immunology, and so on. The company also manufactures vaccines and conducts clinical trials.
Mission: The company aims to improve billions of individuals living with chronic diseases.
Size and Presence: The company hires more than 7,800 employees across its offices in the UK.
Best Known For: This company is best known for its outstanding work in the field of medicine, which has contributed to modern healthcare. This year, members of the Oxford-AstraZeneca team were recipients of the Copley medal, which is the oldest scientific prize in the world. The company is widely recognised for its extensive catalogue of medicines. AstraZeneca is one of the top employers to work for.
The Good Bits: The company has a sound welfare program which its employees benefit from. There are several promotion opportunities that fast-track career progression. The company has a healthy working environment.
The Not-So-Good Bits: Its recruiting process is very thorough and can take a long time.
In 1999, AstraZeneca came to life when Astra AB of Sweden and Zeneca Group PLC of Great Britain decided to merge and become one. The company established its headquarters in London. This company has been making great strides in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. In 2002, AstraZeneca manufactured a drug known as Iressa, which got approval in Japan as a monotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer. Four years later, AstraZeneca purchased KuDOS Pharmaceuticals, a British Biotechnology company, for £125 million. That same year, AstraZeneca entered into an anti-cancer partnership agreement with Astex. In 2006, this company acquired Cambridge Antibody Technology for £702 million.
When AstraZeneca purchased MedImmune, an American immunology and Virology firm, the company eventually made the subsidiary its sole arm of biotechnological operations. In 2012, AstraZeneca and Amgen collaborated on creating medicines for inflammatory diseases. That same year, the company purchased Ardea Biosciences for $1.26 billion. The following year, the company did some significant corporate restructuring. In 2016, the company moved its headquarters from London to Cambridge. This was an unfortunate time because 4,900 employees lost their jobs. The company announced that it would focus on three areas; Respiration, Inflammation & Autoimmunity, Oncology, Cardiovascular & Metabolism Diseases.
Several values make up the company’s culture; putting patients first, following the science, doing the right thing, playing to win, and being entrepreneurial. AstraZeneca is a growing community of diverse individuals but like minds united by a common vision. The working atmosphere is very healthy and positive. Employees are very supportive of each other and often collaborate on specific tasks. This makes it the right place for fresh graduates and interns to start their careers. The work environment is also inclusive, and every employee, regardless of race, sexuality, religion, social background, and gender, will feel a sense of belonging in this professional community. The company also recognises essential events and days, such as International Women's Day and Pride.
Its Growth Through an Innovation strategy powers Astra-Zeneca, and the company has numerous career programs for various target audiences. Its Secondary School program is highly rewarding and exciting. It offers high school students a non-traditional means to achieve their qualifications, earn pay, and gain work experience. There’s also a career program for university undergraduates. The company's Graduate Program is targeted toward First Degree and Master's Degree holders. Finally, there's a career program for Postgraduates.
After reviewing applications, the company subjects suitable applicants to a series of assessments. They offer vacant job roles to successful candidates.
AstraZeneca pays its fresh graduates an average annual salary of ₤40,000.
AstraZeneca actively supports environmental sustainability, and the company engages in eco-friendly practices.
A survey conducted in the UK indicated the unease of the public towards the company’s Covid-19 vaccine.