UK-based pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca (NASDAQ: AZN) has announced a five-year plan to invest USD 2.5 billion in establishing its sixth global strategic research and development (R&D) center in Beijing. This initiative is accompanied by multiple major collaborations with domestic Chinese firms, underscoring the company’s commitment to strengthening its foothold in the Chinese market.
Beijing R&D Center Details
The Beijing center, which will be AstraZeneca’s second global R&D hub in China after Shanghai, will leverage advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and data science laboratories to accelerate drug early research and clinical development. Strategically located in the BioPark, the center will be in proximity to leading biotechnology companies, research hospitals, and the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), fostering an environment of innovation and collaboration.
Strategic Collaborations and Workforce Expansion
The investment plan is part of a broader strategic partnership between AstraZeneca and the Beijing government. This partnership includes cooperation agreements with Harbour BioMed, Syneron Bio, and Kangtai Bio, as well as the acquisition of FibroGen’s China unit. These moves are expected to significantly boost AstraZeneca’s presence in China, with the company’s workforce in Beijing reaching 1,700 employees.-Fineline Info & Tech
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