International pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has announced the appointment of Steve Yang as vice-president and head of research and development (R&D) for its Asia and emerging markets business, which is to take effect on Jan 6, 2011.

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Yang was most recently vice-president and head of Asia R&D for Pfizer. The appointment is a move for AstraZeneca to strengthen its R&D capabilities at the most promising marketplaces.

Yang will be based in Shanghai and will report to Martin Mackay, R&D president of AstraZeneca.

"I am delighted that Steve is joining AstraZeneca. Yang has a rare and wide experience in Asia and emerging markets. He will greatly enhance the implementation of our strategy for R&D to deliver meaningful medicines for patients across both Asia and other important emerging markets," said Mackay.