By James Teague, VP, US Respiratory & Immunology and Vaccine & Immune Therapies
I’m honored to step into the role of leading AstraZeneca’s US Respiratory & Immunology team at a pivotal moment for patients and for our business. Over 16 years at AstraZeneca, I’ve seen what becomes possible when science, partnership and disciplined execution align with purpose. Today, that purpose is clear: translate our leadership in respiratory, immunology, vaccines and immune therapies into measurable health impact for millions across the United States (US).
The unmet need for patients is urgent and undeniable. Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and influenza affect millions of Americans, disrupting daily life, leading to hospitalizations which stretches families, caregivers and health systems. Despite meaningful progress in patient care, too many people still live with uncontrolled diseases, delayed diagnoses and fragmented care. This is the moment to raise our focus—from symptom control to disease modification, remission and, one day, a cure.
As part of our collective ambition, we’re tackling the toughest challenges in respiratory and immune-mediated diseases:
We are strengthening the foundation of respiratory care with inhaled therapies while advancing next-generation options intended to help patients earlier in their journey.
We are transforming severe disease management with biologics that target upstream drivers of inflammation across the upper and lower airways.
We are innovating in the pre‑biologic space with novel oral and inhaled approaches for people who remain uncontrolled on standard of care or may not yet have access to advanced therapies.
We are progressing the next wave of immunology—from first‑in‑class pathways in lupus to emerging therapeutic approaches with the potential to deliver long-term disease control.
And we are developing innovative vaccines and antibodies that can help protect patients from serious viral and bacterial infections, especially those vulnerable to complications.
But advancing healthcare goes beyond developing medicines—it also requires system-wide changes. We’re proud to partner with health systems, clinical leaders and advocacy groups to strengthen early disease identification and diagnosis, embed guideline‑directed therapy into routine practice and expand access to care pathways. Breakthrough science only matters when it’s delivered sustainably and made accessible. That’s why we’re also committed to reducing the environmental burden of care while maintaining the outcomes for patients and clinicians.
We’re executing with urgency to advance earlier and accurate diagnosis, elevate standards of care across all levels of disease severity, and enable equitable access so patients receive treatments and vaccines in a timely manner. It's through our commitment to both science and society that we aim to deliver meaningful innovation, personalized solutions and better outcomes for millions here in the US and globally.
Progress in respiratory, immunology, vaccines and immune therapies requires shared responsibility across patients, researchers, healthcare providers, policymakers and industry partners. I look forward to working with the US team and our external partners to advance our mission. Together, we can redefine what’s possible.
