AstraZeneca announced that it has entered into a strategic research collaboration with CSPC Pharmaceutical Group to accelerate the discovery and development of novel oral therapies using artificial intelligence (AI). According to the company, the collaboration will focus on high-priority targets, including a preclinical small molecule candidate for immunological diseases, with aims to address chronic conditions that affect more than two billion people globally.

Under the terms of the collaboration, AstraZeneca will pay CSPC approximately $110 million upfront, while CSPC is also eligible to receive up to $1.62 billion in development milestone payments and up to $3.6 billion in sales milestone payments.¹

How Will AstraZeneca’s Latest Collaboration Advance Global Treatment for Chronic Diseases?

“This strategic research collaboration underscores our commitment to innovation to tackle chronic diseases which impact over two billion people globally,” said Sharon Barr, EVP, head, biopharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, in a press release. “Forming strong collaborations allows us to leverage our complementary scientific expertise to support the rapid discovery of high-quality novel therapeutic molecules to deliver the next-generation medicines.”

Building on a 2024 Agreement Targeting Cardiovascular Disease

The deal follows a previous collaboration between the two companies. In October 2024, AstraZeneca announced it had agreed to terms with CSPC to develop a novel preclinical lipid-lowering therapy targeting lipoprotein(a), an emerging risk factor in cardiovascular disease. Under the terms of that agreement, AstraZeneca was granted access to YS2302018, CSPC’s novel small molecule candidate in development for the treatment of dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease, either as a monotherapy or in combination with AstraZeneca’s PCSK9 inhibitor AZD0780. AstraZeneca paid CSPC an upfront sum of $100 million for that deal, with the potential for up to $1.92 billion in additional development and commercialization milestones, plus tiered royalties.²

AstraZeneca’s Broader China Investment Strategy

In March, AstraZeneca also announced plans to invest $2.5 billion in Beijing to establish its sixth global strategic R&D center in collaboration with the Beijing Municipal Government and the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area Administrative Office. That initiative also includes partnerships with Harbour BioMed, Syneron Bio, and BioKangtai.³

“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,” said Pascal Soriot, CEO, AstraZeneca, in a March press release. “Our sixth strategic R&D center 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.”

Global Rights and Future Commercialization Path

AstraZeneca will retain rights to exercise options for exclusive licenses to develop and commercialize globally any candidates identified under the new agreement with CSPC.¹

References

1. AstraZeneca enters strategic collaboration with CSPC Pharmaceuticals focused on AI-enabled research. AstraZeneca. June 13, 2025. Accessed June 15, 2025. https://www.astrazeneca.com/media-centre/press-releases/2025/astrazeneca-enters-into-collaboration-with-cspc.html

2. AstraZeneca, CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Reach Exclusive Licensing Agreement to Develop Lipid-Lowering Therapy. PharmExec. October 7, 2024. Accessed June 16, 2025. https://www.pharmexec.com/view/astrazeneca-cspc-pharmaceutical-group-exclusive-licensing-agreement-develop-lipid-lowering-therapy

3. AstraZeneca to invest $2.5 billion in new global strategic R&D centre, biotech agreements and manufacturing in Beijing. AstraZeneca. March 21, 2025. Accessed June 16, 2025. https://www.astrazeneca.com/media-centre/press-releases/2025/astrazeneca-invests-2-and-half-bn-in-beijing-r-and-d-and-manufacturing.html