AstraZeneca and CSPC Enter $5.3B AI-Driven Drug Discovery Pact in China

AstraZeneca and CSPC Pharmaceutical Group have signed a research partnership worth up to $5.3 billion to develop AI-powered oral therapies for chronic diseases, including immunological conditions, with research led by CSPC in Shijiazhuang City135.

The collaboration focuses on accelerating small molecule drug discovery using CSPC's AI-driven dual-engine drug discovery platform, aiming to develop pre-clinical candidates and novel therapies originating in China13.

CSPC is eligible to receive an upfront payment of $110 million, up to $1.62 billion tied to development milestones, and $3.6 billion in sales-based milestone payments, in addition to royalties5.

AstraZeneca will hold global rights to license and commercialize any resulting drug candidates from the partnership1.

This deal strengthens AstraZeneca's R&D presence in China, following a $2.5 billion investment earlier in 2025 to establish a global innovation hub in Beijing145.

The agreement builds on AstraZeneca’s broader strategy to revive its China business after recent setbacks, including regulatory investigations and leadership changes, and expands its investments in artificial intelligence collaborations45.

Sources:

1. https://www.biopharminternational.com/view/astrazeneca-and-cspc-pharmaceuticals-to-partner-on-ai-enabled-research

3. https://firstwordpharma.com/story/5972634

4. https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/astrazeneca-pens-53b-pact-use-cspcs-ai-platform-develop-oral-drugs-chronic-diseases

5. https://economictimes.com/tech/artificial-intelligence/astrazeneca-signs-ai-research-deal-with-chinas-cspc-for-chronic-diseases/articleshow/121827934.cms