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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000820081-04-000045.txt : 20041221
<SEC-HEADER>0000820081-04-000045.hdr.sgml : 20041221
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041221140705
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000820081-04-000045
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041220
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041221
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041221

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CAMBREX CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000820081
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		IRS NUMBER:				222476135
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE MEADOWLANDS PLZ
		CITY:			E RUTHERFORD
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07073
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2018043000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE MEADOWLANDS PLAZA
		CITY:			E. RUTHERFORD
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07073

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TOMBROS PETER G
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001007933

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10638
		FILM NUMBER:		041216685

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE MEADOWLANDS PLAZA
		CITY:			EAST RUTHERFORD
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07073
		BUSINESS PHONE:		201 804 3011
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-12-20</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000820081</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CAMBREX CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CBM</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001007933</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>TOMBROS PETER G</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE MEADOWLANDS PLAZA</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ  07073</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NJ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>07073</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>25.29</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-12-20</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2004-12-21</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1845</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>25.29</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Stock Units</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1845</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3961</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The stock units were acquired under Cambrex Corporation's Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Linda Kresse for Peter G. Tombros by POA</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-12-21</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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