Pioneering science & economic growth
AstraZeneca in the UK — an interactive look at our research, our trials and the people behind the science.
Research & Development
How AstraZeneca turns scientific momentum into benefit for patients across the UK.
AstraZeneca is at the forefront of UK pharmaceutical innovation
In 2025, we invested £X billion from UK-based teams in R&D – the largest individual commitment from a company to R&D in the country. This represents around X% of all public and private R&D spend nationwide.
In 2025, we reported 16 positive Phase III readouts and 43 approvals in major regions, with 16 medicines achieving blockbuster status. The growth in our blockbuster portfolio and upcoming launches of innovative new medicines across our therapeutic areas demonstrate the value of our global R&D platform and belief in our science.1
To turn this scientific momentum into patient benefit, a strong clinical trials ecosystem is essential. Recent UK data shows signs of recovery, with industry trial initiations increasing in 2024, but patient recruitment continuing to fall2, and AstraZeneca’s own enrolment shows a similar decline. Reversing that trend is now a national priority, and AstraZeneca is working hard to help close the gap.
2 UK industry clinical trials: Translating actions into impact
"The strength of AstraZeneca's pipeline reflects years of work across discovery, development and clinical research."
Clinical studies can translate discovery into treatment, support the NHS and strengthen research capacity nationwide.
To unlock the UK’s full potential as a global life sciences leader, the next phase of policy reform should look beyond clinical trial delivery alone and strengthen the wider investment environment for pharmaceutical R&D.
This includes ensuring the UK’s R&D tax and capital allowances frameworks remain internationally competitive, including by expanding support for capital expenditure on plant and machinery used in research and manufacturing, and backing innovation clusters with the scale to compete globally.3 Partnerships such as the Cambridge-Manchester Innovation Partnership and the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor show how the UK can connect world-class research, infrastructure, talent and industry to accelerate discovery, attract investment and turn scientific leadership into patient and economic benefit.4
4 The Cambridge × Manchester Partnership
Over 1,500 UK patients enrolled in 149 AstraZeneca-sponsored clinical trials.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc lorem nulla, mollis eu ullamcorper ac, porttitor eu erat. Cras ultricies tristique nunc, sed eget mollis leo, nec mollis sem. [Placeholder copy]
Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci luctus et ultrices posuere cubilia curae; in ex velit, posuere non tincidunt a, ullamcorper ut diam. Vestibulum efficitur sem id tortor aliquam sollicitudin. [Placeholder copy]
Suspendisse convallis, risus vitae sodales maximus, tortor tortor lacinia nulla, quis congue nibh urna at tellus. Aliquam erat volutpat. Duis consectetur nibh ante, sed varius enim semper a. [Placeholder copy]
Rare diseases affect millions across the UK, yet many patients face delayed diagnoses and limited treatment options.
Alexion, AstraZeneca’s Rare Disease unit, is working to change this reality.
“At Alexion, creating space for meaningful conversation across the rare disease community is central to our work.For many people affected by a rare disease, diagnosis can still take years, and designing services that work for patients and families is never straightforward. We are working with clinicians, patient organisations, the NHS and wider system partners to support earlier diagnosis, build sustainable rare disease services and ensure innovation reaches people in ways that fit the reality of their lives.”
14 Alexion Internal Model trials across stages from start-up to close-out.
6 outsourced clinical trials sponsored by Alexion, excluding a further 63 active patients.
In 2025, Alexion sponsored a total of 20 clinical trials. This included 14 AIM (Alexion Internal Model) clinical trials across the various stages, from start-up to close out, as well as a further six outsourced clinical trials for which Alexion was the sponsor.
A total of 76 patients were enrolled in these trials in 2025, including 56 patients in AIM trials and 20 in outsourced trials. This excludes a further 63 active patients. These trials focus on high-need areas such as neurology, haematology, nephrology, and metabolic diseases, and often require novel trial designs and deeper engagement with patient communities and clinicians.
Alexion is also advancing innovation by investing in diagnostic technologies, including machine learning and AI tools, to help physicians reach faster, more accurate diagnoses. These tools show promise in enabling more sustainable, equitable healthcare systems.
Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci luctus et ultrices posuere cubilia curae; in ex velit, posuere non tincidunt a, ullamcorper ut diam. Vestibulum efficitur sem id tortor aliquam sollicitudin.
Cras ultricies tristique nunc, sed eget mollis leo, nec mollis sem. Suspendisse convallis, risus vitae sodales maximus, tortor tortor lacinia nulla, quis congue nibh urna at tellus. [Placeholder copy]
Inspiring the Next Generation
Supporting people into science at every level — from inspiring school children to employing apprentices, graduates and postdoctoral researchers.
AstraZeneca works at every level of education to inspire and train scientists.
By the end of the decade the sector needs a new pipeline of talent.
"As leaders in industry we have an important role to play in inspiring the next generation in science."
