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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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 rQXa2Ham+VUDM6+oNNelMw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001007933-03-000002.txt : 20031223
<SEC-HEADER>0001007933-03-000002.hdr.sgml : 20031223
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031223153702
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001007933-03-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031224
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031223

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:		031070953

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE MEADOWLANDS PLAZA
		CITY:			EAST RUTHERFORD
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07073
		BUSINESS PHONE:		201 804 3011

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
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-12-24</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>711 EXECUTIVE BOULEVARD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>VALLEY COTTAGE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10989</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>25.49</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2003-12-23</value></transactionDate><deemedExecutionDate><value>2003-12-24</value></deemedExecutionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>A</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved><footnoteId id="F1"/></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>1475</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>25.49</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F1"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><footnoteId id="F1"/></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><under
lyingSecurityTitle><value>Stock Units</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>1475</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>2116</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeTransaction></derivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">The stock units were accrued under Cambrex Corporation Directors Deferred Compensation Plan.</footnote></footnotes><remarks/><ownerSignature><signatureName>Linda Kinailuk for Peter G. Tombros</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-12-23</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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