US Edition Last month, the Anglo-Swedish drug maker, which is facing patent expiry on a two of its top-earning drugs this year, said it was to overhaul its operations with the loss of up to 8,000 jobs , including up to 1,800 in research.
On Tuesday, it revealed where the axe will fall, including the closure of a research site at Charnwood in Leicestershire, which employs 1,200 people, and a smaller facility in Cambridge.
Britain's second-largest pharmaceutical company told staff on Tuesday that it would continue research in all current therapy areas, but within these sectors, it would stop discovery efforts in around 10 specific diseases.
Discovery is to be dropped in thrombosis, acid reflux, ovarian and bladder cancers, systemic scleroderma and hepatitis C.
Like GlaxoSmithKline, which announced last month it was to stop researching antidepressants because of uncertain returns, AstraZeneca is also to cease discovery in depression and anxiety, as well as schizophrenia and bipolar disorders.
Anders Ekblom, head of development at AstraZeneca said: "AstraZeneca's strategic commitment to investing in innovative research and development is as clear as ever."
He added there was a continuing need to adapt the organisation in anticipation of future challenges.
The company added that where possible, it would re-deploy staff.