This decision has been made following a comprehensive strategic review of AstraZeneca's global manufacturing operations. The Corby site is currently engaged in the packaging of a number of AstraZeneca products, predominantly for UK distribution. In the medium to long-term the Company aims to focus all in-house UK packaging operations within its major global manufacturing site at Macclesfield, Cheshire.

The Corby site incorporates modern pharmaceutical packaging and distribution facilities, operated to high standards by a skilled workforce. AstraZeneca expects to continue to require packaging services, on a contract basis, for varying volumes of products for certain periods of time from any prospective new owner of the Site.

It is anticipated that there will be significant interest in this site, given the considerable capacity to expand operations through either increased use of existing plant and buildings or by further development of the land included in the sale.

AstraZeneca will seek to act in the best interests of the current workforce at Corby and will pay considerable attention to the commitments and assurance that prospective purchasers can provide in respect of employment prospects, conditions and development opportunities.

The distribution operations will not form part of the sale and the associated UK customer services at Corby will be transferred to AstraZeneca's UK head office at Kings Langley, Hertfordshire.

AstraZeneca is a major international healthcare business engaged in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of ethical (prescription) pharmaceuticals and the supply of healthcare services. It is one of the top five pharmaceutical companies in the world with healthcare sales of over $15 billion and leading positions in sales of gastrointestinal, oncology, anaesthesia including pain management, cardiovascular, central nervous system (CNS) and respiratory products.