Global pharma giant AstraZeneca has announced a landmark $15 billion investment in China through 2030, aiming to expand medicines manufacturing and research and development.

The move will leverage China’s scientific expertise, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and China-UK healthcare collaborations to deliver cutting-edge treatments to patients both locally and globally.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised the initiative, saying: “Unlocking opportunities for British businesses across the globe and delivering for working people back home is always the driving force behind my international engagements."

"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 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.”

AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot described the investment as a “landmark” moment: “Today’s landmark investment of $15 billion 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 investment will significantly enhance AstraZeneca’s cell therapy and radioconjugates capabilities, advancing treatments for cancer, hematological conditions, autoimmune diseases, and more.

The company will invest across the full value chain—from drug discovery and clinical development to manufacturing—and bring Chinese innovation to the world through partnerships with leading biotechs including AbelZeta, CSPC, Harbour BioMed, Jacobio, and Syneron Bio. Following its 2024 acquisition of Gracell Biotechnologies, AstraZeneca is set to become the first global biopharmaceutical leader with end-to-end cell therapy capabilities in China.

AstraZeneca’s R&D footprint in China is already substantial, with strategic centers in Beijing and Shanghai collaborating with over 500 clinical hospitals and leading numerous global clinical trials over the past three years.

Manufacturing facilities in Wuxi, Taizhou, Qingdao, and Beijing will be expanded, supplying high-quality medicines to China and 70 markets worldwide, alongside new sites yet to be announced. These moves will grow AstraZeneca’s highly skilled workforce in China to over 20,000 and create thousands of additional jobs across the healthcare ecosystem.

Announced during the UK Prime Minister’s visit to China, the investment underscores strengthened China-UK collaboration in healthcare innovation.

Building on collaborations with the University of Cambridge and Beijing, AstraZeneca will also partner with the University of Oxford, University of Glasgow, King’s College London, and HSBC to foster cross-border research and development initiatives.

The investment aligns with China’s Healthy China 2030 agenda, prioritizing prevention, early detection, and access to innovative medicines for underserved communities.