AstraZeneca plans to invest over £12 billion in China by 2030 to expand R&D and production of innovative therapies, including cell and radioligand treatments, boosting UK-China life science cooperation.
Global pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has announced plans to invest over £12 billion in China by 2030. The investment aims to expand the company’s research, development, and manufacturing capabilities, with a focus on advanced therapies such as cell therapy and radioligand drugs, according to CNS.
AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot highlighted China’s growing role in scientific innovation, advanced manufacturing, and global public health. He noted that by strengthening the company’s capabilities in breakthrough therapies, AstraZeneca aims to bring the next generation of treatments to more patients around the world.
The investment will support AstraZeneca’s diverse product pipeline, including therapies for cancer, blood disorders, and autoimmune diseases. The company also plans to expand its global R&D centres in Beijing and Shanghai, which collaborate with over 500 hospitals and have led numerous international clinical trials.
Existing production sites in Wuxi, Taizhou, Qingdao, and Beijing will be upgraded, and new facilities will be built to focus on cell therapy and radioligand drugs. AstraZeneca expects its workforce in China to exceed 20,000 employees and create thousands of new jobs across the healthcare ecosystem.
The announcement coincided with the British Prime Minister’s visit to China, underscoring opportunities for UK-China cooperation in life sciences and innovation. Soriot emphasised that collaboration benefits both countries and can improve outcomes for patients globally.
He added that China’s strong innovation environment, technological advancements, and openness to international collaboration reinforce AstraZeneca’s long-term confidence in the market.
According to a recent report by global investment firm Wellington Management, China’s biotechnology sector has evolved from a fast follower into a core player in global drug innovation. Between 2018 and 2023, China’s share of global new drug clinical trial applications more than tripled, making it the world’s second-largest drug developer.
Written by Ronnie Yu.
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