AstraZeneca is set to establish a global research and development (R&D) center at Gaithersburg, Maryland to improve pipeline productivity.
These changes are made in order to simplify the company's global site footprint and to invest in strategic R&D centers in Cambridge, Gaithersburg and M?lndal.
The Gaithersburg site, which is currently the site of MedImmune's headquarters and the primary location for AstraZeneca's biologics activities, will be the center for the US-based global marketing and specialty care commercial functions.
The North America commercial headquarters will remain in Wilmington.
The relocation of R&D, global marketing and specialty care positions from Wilmington will be carried out through 2015.
AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot said, "The changes we are proposing represent an exciting and important opportunity to put science at the heart of everything we do because our long-term success depends on improving R&D productivity and achieving scientific leadership."