AstraZeneca Unveils Major Long-Term Investment to Strengthen China as a Global Hub for Life Sciences Innovation

Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images for AstraZeneca

(IN BRIEF) AstraZeneca has announced a $15 billion investment in China through 2030 to expand research, development and manufacturing capabilities, supporting its long-term growth strategy and global pipeline in advanced treatment modalities such as cell therapy and radioconjugates. The investment builds on China’s scientific and manufacturing strengths, deepens partnerships with Chinese biotechs and universities, and expands AstraZeneca’s workforce and production footprint across multiple sites. Aligned with Healthy China 2030 and strengthened China-UK collaboration, the initiative aims to accelerate innovation, improve access to cutting-edge medicines and deliver benefits for patients both in China and worldwide.

(PRESS RELEASE) CAMBRIDGE, 29-Jan-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — AstraZeneca has announced a landmark $15 billion investment in China through 2030 to significantly expand its medicines manufacturing and research and development capabilities, reinforcing the country’s role as a strategic hub for the company’s global innovation and growth ambitions. The multi-year investment supports AstraZeneca’s 2030 strategy and is designed to accelerate the discovery, development and delivery of transformative new treatments for patients in China and worldwide.

The investment will leverage China’s strengths in scientific research, advanced manufacturing and international healthcare collaboration, while deepening ties within the China-UK life sciences ecosystem. It was announced during a visit to China by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, underscoring the broader importance of bilateral cooperation in healthcare innovation.

AstraZeneca plans to substantially enhance its capabilities in next-generation treatment modalities, particularly cell therapy and radioconjugates, which are central to its expanding pipeline across oncology, haematology and autoimmune diseases. The company is strengthening its end-to-end presence across the value chain, from early-stage drug discovery and clinical development to large-scale manufacturing. Building on its 2024 acquisition of Gracell Biotechnologies, AstraZeneca will become the first global biopharmaceutical company with fully integrated cell therapy capabilities in China.

The investment also deepens AstraZeneca’s partnerships with leading Chinese biotechnology companies, including AbelZeta, CSPC, Harbour BioMed, Jacobio and Syneron Bio, helping to bring Chinese innovation to global markets. In parallel, the company will continue to expand its global strategic R&D centres in Beijing and Shanghai, which already collaborate with more than 500 clinical hospitals and have supported numerous global clinical trials in recent years.

Manufacturing investments will further develop AstraZeneca’s existing sites in Wuxi, Taizhou, Qingdao and Beijing, while new facilities are planned and will be announced in due course. These combined initiatives are expected to grow AstraZeneca’s workforce in China beyond 20,000 employees and generate thousands of additional jobs across the broader healthcare ecosystem.

Beyond commercial growth, the investment is aligned with China’s Healthy China 2030 objectives and supports the country’s “Common Health” agenda by prioritising prevention, early diagnosis and improved access to innovative medicines, particularly for underserved populations. At the same time, AstraZeneca is expanding collaboration between Chinese and UK research ecosystems, working with leading institutions such as the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, the University of Glasgow, King’s College London and HSBC to foster cross-border innovation.

Through this long-term commitment, AstraZeneca aims to strengthen scientific collaboration, accelerate the development of breakthrough therapies and reinforce China’s position as a critical contributor to global public health and life sciences innovation.

SOURCE: AstraZeneca