AstraZeneca will streamline portions of its U.S. commercial business as part of the company's strategy to operate its business more effectively and efficiently to best serve patients in the United States. The changes will enable the company to compete in a challenging environment, including pricing pressures and the continuing growth of generic medicines.

As part of the transformation, AstraZeneca will identify more efficient ways of working throughout its U.S. business and reduce its cost base - including the reduction of approximately 400 positions at the company's Wilmington headquarters and some field-based, non-sales roles.

About 70 of the estimated 400 roles will come from existing vacancies. In addition, employees will have the option to self-identify to potentially leave the company. All decisions will be finalized by early December.

"This will be very difficult for our entire organization, particularly the people who are directly impacted," said Rich Fante, president, AstraZeneca U.S. & CEO, North America. "However, these changes are necessary to build a leaner, more efficient organization that will enable the company to continue delivering against our mission of patient health and sustaining a strong business for years to come."