AstraZeneca invests in AI-led research agreement with China's CSPC, up to US$5.3 billion

Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca announced they have signed a deal with China’s CSPC Pharmaceutical Group worth up to US$5.3 billion to drive AI-led research development of therapies for chronic conditions.

This deal marks AstraZeneca’s increased business presence in China, the company’s second-largest market, despite challenges faced regarding the arrest of AstraZeneca’s China president and facing import-related fines. Under the deal, AstraZeneca and CSPC will work together for the discovery and development of preclinical small molecule oral therapy drug candidates for immunological diseases, among other preclinical candidates. CSPS will be conducting their AI-driven research in the city of Shijiazhuang.

AstraZeneca previously announced business activity in China in March of this year, investing US$2.5 billion in a new R&D hub in Beijing, detailing a 5-year strategic partnership with the Beijing Municipal Government and the Beijing Economic Technological Development Area office, as well as partnerships with three China-based biotechs. The pharmaceutical company’s portfolio already includes a state-of-the-art Shanghai R&D centre utilising AI and data science laboratories for early-stage research and clinical development.

An upfront investment of US$110 million will be paid to CSPC, with eligibility for CSPC to receive up to US$1.62 billion when achieving development and sales-related milestones. CSPC boasts a wide-ranging pipeline with portfolios in cancer treatments and therapies for cardiovascular diseases. 80% of CSPC’s total revenue derives from its finished drug portfolio. The agreement between the Chinese firm and AstraZeneca includes rights for AstraZeneca to enable options for exclusive licenses for candidates identified during the R&D collaboration.

Source:

AstraZeneca signs AI research deal with China’s CSPC for chronic diseases [Accessed June 16, 2025] https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/astrazeneca-agrees-research-deal-worth-up-522-billion-with-cspc-2025-06-13/