Multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company AstraZeneca plans to expand its research and development operations in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. The project is expected to create 500 jobs.

The R&D Hub focuses on leading global clinical studies in areas including breast, lung and prostate cancer, COVID-19, and chronic kidney disease. It also includes the creation of a new Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease Development Hub, which focuses on rare disease research.

"Our investment in the AstraZeneca R&D Hub and Alexion Development Hub will play a critical role in the development of new and innovative medicines aimed at treating, preventing and, in the future, potentially even curing complex diseases like cancer and rare diseases," said Kiersten Combs, President, AstraZeneca Canada.

The Mississauga-based Hub has doubled in size since 2019 and is currently leading more than 120 oncology and biopharmaceutical global clinical studies, involving patients in 50+ countries.

"Through Taking Life Sciences to the Next Level, Ontario's life sciences strategy, our government is building a more competitive Ontario with a stronger life sciences sector. AstraZeneca's transformative investment and new global clinical research centre will create hundreds of new jobs, while helping to ensure that our province remains a global leader in innovation and the life sciences sector. Thank you, AstraZeneca, for choosing Ontario,” noted Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.

Cambridge, England-based AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical business and our innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. The company has a portfolio of products for major diseases in areas including oncology, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, infection, neuroscience, respiratory, and inflammation and has been involved in developing the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

"Invest Ontario congratulates AstraZeneca on this significant new investment which will drive innovation and increase the capacity for clinical trial management in Ontario. Invest Ontario is committed to attracting investments that further accelerate the growth of Life Sciences and solidify our position as a global leader in the industry,” Trevor Dauphinee, CEO of Invest Ontario added.