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AstraZeneca to Open New Bioinformatics Center in St. Petersburg

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In a bid to strengthen its investment in Russia’s pharmaceutical market, AstraZeneca plans to establish a bioinformatics-based Predictive Science Center in St. Petersburg over the coming year.

As part of an agreement with the St. Petersburg government, the center will hire 30 people through collaborations with local companies and organizations to develop bioinformatics, data analysis methods, software, and systems to better predict the safety and efficacy of potential new medicines.

David Brennan, AstraZeneca’s chief executive, described Russia as a “dynamic economy,” adding that AZ's investments in the country “will help us to offer to patients AstraZeneca’s portfolio of innovative medicines.”

He further stated that the firm is “pleased” to contribute to the development of Russia’s healthcare sector through its local research and manufacturing efforts as well as its scientific and educational collaborations.

Among its other activities in the country, AstraZeneca began construction of a new $150 million manufacturing facility in the Kaluga region earlier this year to supply Russia with locally manufactured drugs.

In addition, the company has established several partnerships with Russian development institutes, including the Skolkovo Innovation Centre and Russia Venture Company.

AstraZeneca entered the Russian market in 1993 and now employs more than 1,000 people across 68 cities. Currently, around 40 of AstraZeneca’s medicines are licensed for sale in Russia, with Nexium and Symbicort as its leading products.

AstraZeneca estimates that its activities in Russia will contribute $1.2 billion to the country's economy over the next five years.

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