AstraZeneca R&D Montréal

AstraZeneca R&D Montréal (AZRDM), one of 11 research centres that AstraZeneca PLC maintains worldwide, is a cornerstone of the company's vision to become the global leader in pain control therapy.

Established in 1994 and inaugurated in 1997, AZRDM concentrates on the design, discovery and development of novel pharmaceutical agents that will provide innovative therapeutic solutions to the treatment of acute and chronic pain.

Located in the Saint-Laurent Technoparc, in the heart of Montréal, Québec, this multi-million dollar, world-class, pre-clinical research centre houses state-of-the-art chemistry, molecular biology and pharmacology laboratories. At AZRDM more than 125 employees focus much of their efforts on the mechanisms involved in inflammatory and neuropathic pains, the two most common types of chronic pain.

AstraZeneca R&D Montréal offers talented researchers a unique opportunity to work in a creative and innovative drug discovery environment. AZRDM researchers utilize superior computer-aided technology that enables them to both discover and design molecules for new drugs. The general discovery process involves identifying novel targets involved in the modulation of pain. The scientists then create and test compounds (potential drugs) acting at the target to determine efficacy and identify candidate drugs for further clinical development.

While each new project does not guarantee a 'breakthrough' pain management product, state-of-the-art centres such as AZRDM are working to identify and develop highly innovative medicines that will help to control, and eventually eliminate, the symptoms of acute and chronic pain in all patients.