How AstraZeneca is Advancing Treatment Discovery in China
AstraZeneca has announced a landmark US$15bn investment in China through 2030, aimed at expanding its medicines manufacturing and R&D capabilities in one of its most strategically important markets.
The company said the investment will strengthen its ability to discover, develop and manufacture transformative new treatments, supporting the delivery of its 2030 ambition.
It will also leverage China’s scientific expertise, advanced manufacturing capabilities and growing China-UK healthcare ecosystem collaborations to bring therapies to patients in China and around the world.
The announcement was made during a visit to China by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, underlining the importance of the country to AstraZeneca’s global strategy.
“Unlocking opportunities for British businesses across the globe and delivering for working people back home is always the driving force behind my international engagements,” Keir Starmer says.
“AstraZeneca’s expansion and leadership in China will help the British manufacturer continue to grow - supporting thousands of UK jobs.
“The multi-billion pound investment announced today from AstraZeneca, alongside partnerships from some of our country’s leading universities, furthers research and development in the UK which is helping to power our world class life sciences sector.”
The investment reflects the growing importance of China-UK cooperation in healthcare innovation and research, with AstraZeneca positioned as a key driver of this partnership.
Focus on next generation treatment
AstraZeneca says the investment will significantly strengthen its capabilities in advanced modalities, including cell therapy and radioconjugates – areas that are increasingly critical in the development of next generation treatments for cancer, haematological conditions and autoimmune diseases.
Recognising China’s advanced science in these fields, the investment will span the full value chain, from drug discovery and clinical development through to large-scale manufacturing.
AstraZeneca is also working with leading Chinese biotechs including AbelZeta, CSPC, Harbour BioMed, Jacobio and Syneron Bio, bringing Chinese innovation to global markets through strategic partnerships.
Building on its 2024 acquisition of Gracell Biotechnologies, AstraZeneca will become the first global biopharmaceutical company with end-to-end cell therapy capabilities in China, marking a major milestone in the company’s global treatment platform.
Pascal Soriot, Chief Executive Officer of AstraZeneca, adds: “Today’s landmark investment of US$15bn begins an exciting next chapter for AstraZeneca in China, which has become a critical contributor to scientific innovation, advanced manufacturing and global public health.
“By expanding our capabilities in breakthrough treatments like cell therapy and radioconjugates, we will strengthen our contribution to China’s high-quality development and, most importantly, bring next-generation modalities to patients.”
The company’s growing pipeline in oncology and immunology is expected to benefit directly from expanded R&D capacity and new manufacturing capabilities in the region.
Deepening China-UK collaboration
AstraZeneca says the investment will strengthen China-UK collaboration in healthcare innovation, building on existing ecosystem partnerships with the University of Cambridge and collaborators in Beijing.
The company is also working with other major research and financial institutions, including the University of Oxford, the University of Glasgow, King’s College London and HSBC, to establish further cross-border collaborations between leading life sciences ecosystems.
The investment is aligned with the goals of Healthy China 2030 and will prioritise China’s ‘Common Health’ agenda by expanding prevention, early detection and access to innovative medicines for underserved communities.
China remains AstraZeneca’s second largest market and a strategic hub for global innovation. Since entering the country in 1993, AstraZeneca has introduced more than 40 innovative medicines, with its treatments benefiting 68 million patients in China in 2025 alone.
