MISSISSAUGA, ON, March 27, 2017 /CNW/ - AstraZeneca is pleased that the Federal Government will continue its important work advancing a national innovation agenda, as highlighted in Budget 2017: Building a Strong Middle Class. The recognition of the health/bio-sciences sector as an economic driver and area of high technology investment is essential to Canada's future growth. 

The health/bio-sciences sector benefits the Canadian economy by creating high technology jobs and making valuable research investments that help to support a vibrant biopharmaceutical hub in Canada – including universities, contract research organizations, biotechnology and biopharmaceutical companies. Innovative medicines continue to bring about major leaps in life expectancy and quality of life in such areas as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, HIV/AIDs and oncology, while also benefitting the health system itself by helping to eliminate costly surgeries or hospitalization. We are encouraged that the federal government agrees.

The future success of Canada's health/bio-sciences sector depends on the creation of a policy environment that supports and follows the science across all related government ministries:  including health, innovation, economic development, finance, science and technology. 

We are proud to be one of Canada's top contributors to health sciences research and development, supporting world-class Canadian research that will advance our scientific knowledge and the care of patients in Canada and around the world. AstraZeneca was recently designated a Global Clinical Trial Delivery site and will play an integral role within our global organization leading more than 30 global clinical trials in oncology, immuno-oncology and respiratory, some involving more than 40 countries worldwide. Our Clinical Trial Delivery team has grown to more than 110 Canadian employees, more than doubling in size since 2013.

AstraZeneca is committed to working with the Government of Canada and other stakeholders to establish a strong innovation-based economy that enables rapid development of new technologies, and provides a favourable R&D and reimbursement environment. We believe the Government of Canada has the potential to build a world-leading health/bio-sciences sector through a policy environment that supports innovation, ensuring Canadians benefit from the latest health research, which translates to access to the best possible treatments.

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of diseases in three main therapy areas - Oncology, Cardiovascular & Metabolic Diseases, and Respiratory. AstraZeneca operates in more than 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. In Canada, we employ more than 720 employees across the country and our AstraZeneca Canada headquarters are located in Mississauga, Ontario. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.astrazeneca.ca.

SOURCE AstraZeneca Canada Inc.

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