Cognizant technologies, a leading provider of global consulting, technology and business process services, has entered into a five-year agreement with UK-based AstraZeneca, a leading pharmaceutical major, to provide application maintenance services in the business-critical areas of research, clinical development, and sales and marketing.

Under the extended agreement, Cognizant will work with AstraZeneca's Global Shared Services organization and implement world class, end-to-end application maintenance services. 

As part of this arrangement, Cognizant would adopt an "outcome" or "effect-based" model to offer these services by leveraging its global delivery network, talent pool and best practices.