AstraZeneca invests in Symbicort production facilities

AstraZeneca is to invest more than US$114m in new production facilities to support the further growth of Symbicort, its key respiratory product for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The investment will create around 150 new manufacturing jobs at AstraZeneca's production site in Dunkerque, France, and will ensure the company is fully prepared for further launches of the product around the world.

'Symbicort is a very important and exciting product for AstraZeneca,' said ceo Sir Tom McKillop. 'Our decision to expand our manufacturing capabilities in Dunkerque is evidence of our commitment to the future success of this key respiratory brand around the world.'

Symbicort, a combination of the inhaled corticosteroid budesonide and the long- and rapid-acting bronchodilator formoterol, was first approved in 2000. It is now approved in 85 countries and has an indication for both asthma and COPD. The current worldwide market for fixed combination products is estimated to be worth $3.9bn.

Symbicort has so far been delivered via the dry powder inhaler, Turbuhaler, but a new pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI) is currently under development to meet different patient preferences. To assist with the manufacturing process, the new facilities at Dunkerque will include the expansion of additional pMDI filling and packing capacity, as well as projects to upgrade and expand existing infrastructure.