Astra AB is a former international pharmaceutical company headquartered in
Södertälje,
Sweden. Astra was formed in 1913 and merged with the British
Zeneca Group in 1999 to form
AstraZeneca. Product development was focused on therapeutics for
gastrointestinal,
cardiovascular and
respiratory disorders and
pain control. At the time of the fusion, Astra was the largest Swedish pharmaceutical company. Astra also operated
Astra Tech, a medical devices company, and marketed pharmaceuticals outside their primary development area, including
anti-infective agents.