AstraZeneca Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2008

Unmet medical need

In most established markets, ageing populations, more sedentary lifestyles and the availability of improved detection techniques are leading to an increased incidence and diagnosis of chronic diseases, such as cancer and diabetes, which require long-term management. Chronic disease is on the increase in middle-income countries too, and is also beginning to have an impact in the least developed countries.

Many diseases remain under-diagnosed, sub-optimally treated or do not have effective therapies. Projections indicate that global mortality and the burden of disease will continue to increase over the next 20 years, mainly in non-communicable disease areas³. The leading causes of death globally in 2030 are predicted to include ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lower respiratory infections, lung cancer and diabetes.

At AstraZeneca, we are focused on six therapy areas: Cardiovascular, Gastrointestinal, Infection, Neuroscience, Oncology, and Respiratory and Inflammation, which together represent a significant proportion of the worldwide burden of disease. Details about the therapy environment in each of our areas of interest are provided in the Therapy Area Review.

³Source: WHO statistics 2008.