AstraZeneca moved a unit from northern California to Delaware early this year as part of its work in a high-priority disease area.
AstraZeneca spokesperson Abigail Bozarth confirmed that a decision was made last year to move the Renal-Cardio Therapy Area, which was based in San Mateo, in northern California to north Wilmington “to create further collaboration across therapeutic areas.”
Bozarth said The “Renal-Cardio Therapy Area remains an important future growth driver for the organization and is now co-located with all of our US therapy areas at our AZ North America headquarters in Wilmington.”
AstraZeneca last week received US Food and Drug Administration approval for the Renal-Cardio drug Lokelma for the treatment of hyperkalemia in adults.
Hyperkalemia is a serious condition characterized by high levels of potassium in the blood. The risk of hyperkalemia increases significantly for patients with chronic kidney disease and for those who take common medications for heart failure, AstraZeneca noted.
Personnel details were not disclosed, although Bozarth confirmed that the total headcount of AstraZeneca in Delaware remains at 1,500.
Earlier this week, AstraZeneca announced the opening of its new South San Francisco location.
Employment at the site totals about 400, the Fierce Pharma website reported.
Bay Area employees from Acerta Pharma, MedImmune, Pearl Therapeutics and AstraZeneca’s TIDE (Technology Innovation & Delivery Excellence) are now located at facility in the Cove at Oyster Point, in the area’s biotechnology and technology community.
Sean Bohen, executive vice president, Global Medicines Development and Chief Medical Officer, said: “The opening of our South San Francisco site is a milestone for AstraZeneca, enabling talent from four organizations to work side-by-side at the center of where biotechnology and high-tech industry intersects. This is a demonstration of our commitment to a strong and visible presence in California, our continued growth through science- and collaboration-led innovation, and our dedication to being a great place to work for current and future employees.”
Technology companies have been locating operations in San Francisco as a way to attract employees who want to live in the city, rather than in the sprawling Silicon Valley.
