Glossary
A-E
The following abbreviations and expressions have the following meanings when used in this report:
abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) A marketing approval application for a generic drug submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration.
ACE inhibitors A class of drugs that is used to treat hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases, which work by blocking the production of a hormone called angiotensin II.
acute coronary syndrome (ACS) An umbrella term used to cover any group of clinical symptoms compatible with acute myocardial ischaemia.
adenosine diphosphate (ADP) A molecule that plays an important role in energy transfer in cells.
adjuvant An agent that modifies the effect of other agents (for example drugs and vaccines) while having few if any direct effects when given by itself; it operates like a catalyst in chemical reactions.
adjuvant therapy Treatment given as an adjunct to another medical intervention, for example surgery.
ADR American Depositary Receipt evidencing title to an ADS.
ADS American Depositary Share representing one underlying Ordinary Share.
adverse reaction An unwanted, negative consequence associated with the use of a medicine.
agonist A substance capable of binding to a molecular target to trigger a response.
allergic rhinitis An allergic reaction to airborne substances such as pollen or dust.
Alzheimer’s disease A group of disorders causing deterioration of the brain, which affects one’s memory and reasoning capabilities.
anaesthesia The total or partial loss of sensation, especially in relation to pain.
analgesia The inability to feel pain whilst conscious.
angina Chest pain/discomfort caused by lack of oxygen to the heart muscles through reduced blood flow in the coronary arteries.
angiogenesis A physiological process in which new blood vessels grow from pre-existing vessels.
angiotensin II A hormone that causes blood vessels to narrow and thereby raises blood pressure.
angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) Converts a hormone called angiotensin to its activated form called angiotensin II, enabling it to function. Angiotensin II acts by narrowing the diameter of the blood vessels and thereby raises blood pressure.
ankylosing spondylitis (AS) A degenerative inflammatory disease affecting the spine and causing chronic pain.
antagonist A substance capable of binding to a molecular target to neutralise or counteract a reaction.
anti-androgen A drug that blocks the action of testosterone on the prostate gland and is used in the treatment of prostate cancer.
anti-psychotic drug A drug for the treatment of depression or mania.
aromatase inhibitor A drug that inhibits the enzyme, aromatase, which is involved in the production of the female sex hormone, oestrogen and therefore is used in the treatment of breast cancer.
AstraZeneca AstraZeneca PLC and its subsidiaries.
atherosclerosis The progressive narrowing or hardening of the arteries linked to the build-up of lipids (fats) in the arterial walls and the formation of atheromatous plaque.
atherosclerotic plaque A build up of cholesterol and fatty material in the walls of blood vessels as a consequence of atherosclerosis.
atrial fibrillation (AF) Abnormal irregular heart rhythm.
beta-agonist A medicine that relaxes the muscles around the airways and thereby eases restricted breathing during an asthma attack or in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
beta-blocker A medicine used to treat various cardiovascular diseases that acts by blocking receptors at nerve endings.
biomarker A characteristic that can be measured objectively and evaluated as an indicator of normal biological, or pathogenic processes, or pharmacological responses to a therapeutic intervention.
biopharmaceuticals/biologics A class of medicines derived from proteins usually produced naturally by living organisms in response to disease, for example antibodies.
biosimilars Follow-on biopharmaceuticals that are biologically similar to an existing medicine.
bipolar disorder Any of several mood disorders, usually characterised by alternating episodes of depression and mania or by episodes of depression alternating with mild, non-psychotic excitement.
Board The Board of Directors of AstraZeneca PLC.
BRCA-mutated breast cancer A form of breast cancer caused by the mutation of the gene that normally acts to restrain the growth of cells in the breast.
bronchodilator A drug that causes the widening of air passages of the lungs.
CAD/CAM Computer aided design/computer aided manufacturing.
carbapenem A class of antibiotic drugs.
cardiovascular (CV) Relating to the heart and blood vessels.
CAT Cambridge Antibody Technology Group plc.
CEE Central and Eastern Europe.
CER Constant exchange rates.
cerebrovascular disease Disease affecting the arteries in the brain or those that supply blood to the brain.
chloro-fluorocarbons (CFCs) Gaseous compounds of carbon, chlorine, fluorine and hydrogen.
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Any disorder that persistently obstructs bronchial airflow, for example emphysema.
cognitive disorders Disorders with progressive or chronic impairment of cognition or memory.
colorectal cancer (CRC) Also called colon cancer or bowel cancer.
Company AstraZeneca PLC.
congestive heart failure (CHF) Impairment of the heart muscle leading to deterioration of the heart’s ability to function as a pump to circulate blood throughout the body.
connected person This is defined by sections 252 – 256 Companies Act 2006 and includes a person’s spouse, civil partner, child(ren) and step-child(ren).
corticosteroid Any of the steroid hormones made by the cortex (outer layer) of the adrenal gland.
cost growth rates Percentage growth of a particular cost category over the comparable cost category for the previous year.
CR Corporate responsibility.
C-reactive protein (CRP) Produced by the liver. The level of CRP rises when there is body-wide (systemic) inflammation.
CRO A contract research organisation to which pharmaceutical companies can sub-contract activities, for example clinical trial work.
Crohn’s disease A chronic inflammatory disorder of the bowel.
depositary JPMorgan Chase Bank, as depositary under the deposit agreement pursuant to which the ADRs are issued.
diabetes A metabolic disorder caused by inadequate production or utilisation of insulin, characterised by hyperglycaemia (high glucose blood sugar).
Director A director of the Company.
diuretic A drug that causes the increased production of urine.
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) A molecule that carries the key genetic instructions for living organisms.
dopamine partial agonists Drugs that mimic the effects of dopamine in the brain by stimulating dopamine receptors.
double-blind study A clinical study in which none of the participants (subject, investigator nor research team), knows what treatment the subject is receiving until the end of the study.
drug metabolism The biochemical modification or degradation of drugs, usually through specialised enzymatic systems.
dyslipidaemia Abnormal concentrations of lipids or lipoproteins in the blood.
earnings per share (EPS) Profit for the year after tax and minority interests, divided by the weighted average number of Ordinary Shares in issue during the year.
EEA The European Economic Area.
efficacy The beneficial effect of a drug.
EFPIA The European Federation for Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations.
EMEA The European Medicines Agency.
epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor A protein found on the surface of some cells and to which epidermal growth factor binds, causing the cells to divide. It is found at abnormally high levels on the surface of many types of cancer cells, so these cells may divide excessively in the presence of epidermal growth factor.
epidemiological Relating to the study of incidences, distribution, control and prevention of diseases in populations.
EU European Union.
exceptional items Significantly large items that are distinct in nature from items normally occurring during ordinary business activities.
excipient An inactive substance that serves as the vehicle or medium for a drug or other active substance.
extrapyramidal Relating to nerve pathways that link nerve nuclei in the surface of the cerebrum (main mass of the brain), basal ganglia (deep within the brain) and parts of the brain stem.
