AstraZeneca to invest US$2.5 billion in Beijing R&D centre

Amid investigations of former AstraZeneca China head Leon Wang in 2024, AstraZeneca have outlined plans to establish its sixth global strategic R&D centre in China. Their aim is to further advance life sciences in China with major research and manufacturing agreements.

In a 5-year strategic partnership with the Beijing Municipal Government and the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area Administrative Office, the investment will include agreements with three biotechs – Harbour BioMed to discover multi-specific antibodies, Syneron Bio to develop macro-cyclic peptides, and BioKangtai for the development, manufacture, and commercialisation of respiratory and infectious disease vaccines. The partnership hopes to grow AstraZeneca’s Beijing workforce to approximately 1700 employees.

The new R&D centre will be the second to join AstraZeneca’s portfolio after the opening of the company’s Shanghai R&D centre, with a focus on advancing early-stage research and clinical development enabled by state-of-the-art AI and data science laboratories. Located near the National Medical Products Administration in the Beijing International Pharmaceutical Innovation Park, the centre will also help establish new R&D collaborations with the Beijing Cancer Hospital to conduct translational research and clinical development.

CEO Pascal Soriot commented in a press release: “This $2.5 billion investment reflects our belief in the world-class life sciences ecosystem in Beijing, the extensive opportunities that exist for collaboration and access to talent, and our continued commitment to China. Our sixth strategic R&D centre will partner with the cutting-edge biology and AI science in Beijing, and be a critical part of our global efforts to bring innovative medicines to patients worldwide.”

In October of 2024, former China head of AstraZeneca Leon Wang was detained by Chinese authorities over alleged medical insurance fraud and potential illegal drug importation earlier in the year. While AstraZeneca restated its commitment to working in China and its full cooperation with investigations, the company then appointed Iskra Reic as EVP, International to oversee operations in China, Asia, Eurasia, Africa, Latin America, Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East, whilst Wang was put on extended leave.

Sources:

1. AstraZeneca details $2.5B investment in China's political center, funding R&D center, biotech pacts [Accessed March 24, 2025] https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/astrazeneca-details-25b-investment-chinas-political-center-funding-rd-center-biotech-pacts

2. AstraZeneca to invest $2.5 billion in new global strategic R&D centre, biotech agreements and manufacturing in Beijing [Accessed March 24, 2025] https://www.astrazeneca.com/media-centre/press-releases/2025/astrazeneca-invests-2-and-half-bn-in-beijing-r-and-d-and-manufacturing.html

3. With AstraZeneca exec under investigation in China, company names Reic new international chief [Accessed March 24, 2025] https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/astrazeneca-execs-under-investigation-china-company-names-reic-new-international-chief