The inauguration, which took place on September 19, took place in AstraZeneca’s new office in Casablanca Finance City (CFC).
The celebration highlighted AstraZeneca’s achievements over the past 25 years and presented the company’s future ambitions in Morocco and the Middle East and North Africa (NEMAG) region, the company said in a statement.
Since the merger of Astra AB and Zeneca Group PLC in 1999, AstraZeneca has continually pushed the boundaries of science, delivering life-changing medicines to millions of patients around the world.
Present in more than 100 countries and with more than 83,500 employees, AstraZeneca remains at the forefront of medical innovation, the same source indicates.
On this occasion, Rami Scandar, Group President for the Middle East and Maghreb region, said: “This new office represents AstraZeneca’s commitment to investing in the Moroccan market. Over the last 25 years, we have achieved important milestones in the healthcare sector and we look forward to strengthening our partnerships to improve patient outcomes.”
In line with its commitment to improving healthcare in Africa, AstraZeneca has launched several initiatives to strengthen the fight against cancer on the continent. The company recently launched the ‘Cancer Care Africa’ programme in collaboration with the Lalla Salma Foundation, the leading cancer foundation in Morocco. This initiative aims to revolutionise cancer diagnosis and treatment, focusing on improving access to care for 35,000 patients in Morocco.
AstraZeneca’s efforts in Morocco also include strategic partnerships with leading local institutions. A recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Mohammed VI Foundation for Science and Health aims to improve early diagnosis of lung cancer through AI technology. Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding with Akdital Group aims to establish Centers of Excellence to improve patient pathways, access to personalized healthcare, and strengthen medical capacities while using the most advanced artificial intelligence and digital capabilities.
Highlighting AstraZeneca’s focus on oncology, Ti Hwei How, Global Vice President of Oncology, said: “Our ambition is to eliminate cancer as a cause of death. With one of the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry, including antibody drug conjugates, immune activators and cell therapies, we aim to deliver a potential cure to more patients. We are prioritising the transformation of cancer care, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, by improving access to screening, diagnosis and treatment through the stratified use of innovative technologies. We are particularly excited about our progress in Morocco through the Cancer Care Africa programme.”
The new “green” office in Casablanca underscores AstraZeneca’s long-term commitment to sustainability in Morocco, with a focus on environmental protection, patient care, and supporting local healthcare systems. Through initiatives such as the Digital Pathology Project, Qure AI, and various collaborations, AstraZeneca is demonstrating its commitment to these goals. Additionally, last year, AstraZeneca launched the Partnership for Health Systems Sustainability and Resilience (PHSSR) in Morocco to identify strengths and weaknesses in the healthcare ecosystem, thereby improving healthcare services for Moroccan patients. These efforts are aligned with the Moroccan government’s vision and ambitions for healthcare and are part of AstraZeneca’s broader mission to improve access to care and innovation across Africa.
