United Kingdom · Company filings
How AstraZeneca's business changed from Zeneca to Alexion
Zeneca emerged from an ICI demerger in 1993 and merged with Sweden's Astra in 1999. AstraZeneca later spun out its agrochemicals business and added MedImmune and Alexion.
Sources checked
- 1993Zeneca demerged from ICI
The new group held pharmaceutical, agrochemical and speciality chemical businesses. Source 1
- 1999Astra and Zeneca merged
The UK entity became AstraZeneca plc. Source 1
- 1999Speciality chemicals sold
AstraZeneca disposed of its speciality chemical business. Source 1
- 2000Agrochemicals demerged
The business combined with Novartis's corresponding business to form Syngenta. Source 1
- 2007MedImmune acquired
AstraZeneca added a US biologics and vaccines company. Source 1
- 21 July 2021Alexion acquired
AstraZeneca added a rare disease business. Source 3
The UK legal company continued while the mix of businesses changed.
The demerger brought several activities into Zeneca
AstraZeneca's annual report traces the business to the 1993 demerger of ICI's pharmaceutical, agrochemical and speciality chemical activities. Companies House records Zeneca Group plc as a previous name of the continuing UK legal entity. Source 1 Source 2
The Astra merger was followed by two disposals
Zeneca combined with Astra of Sweden in 1999. That same year, the group sold speciality chemicals. Its agrochemicals business later combined with the corresponding Novartis business to form Syngenta in 2000. Source 1
MedImmune added a different medicines capability
AstraZeneca reported acquiring MedImmune in 2007. The US company brought biologics and vaccines operations. The acquisition broadened the medicines business after the earlier removal of chemicals and agricultural activities. Source 1
Alexion added rare disease as a defined business area
AstraZeneca records completing its Alexion purchase on 21 July 2021. Its annual report describes the transaction as creating Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease. The 1999 merger established the group name, while Alexion changed its later operating mix. Source 1 Source 3