AstraZeneca to invest £11bn in China after rowing back on UK expansion

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 2 min read 100% complete by Julia KolleweJanuary 29, 2026 at 07:46 PM

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medium article 2 min

AstraZeneca will invest $15 billion (£11 billion) in China by 2030 to expand its medicines manufacturing, research, and development. The investment includes a $2.5 billion research hub in Beijing and expansion of existing manufacturing facilities across multiple cities. This decision follows AstraZeneca's recent scaling back of expansion plans in the UK, including pausing a £200m expansion in Cambridge and abandoning a £450m investment in Speke. The company aims to increase its workforce in China from 17,000 to over 20,000 and will focus on developing breakthrough treatments like cell therapy and radioconjugates. AstraZeneca's CEO stated that China has become a critical contributor to scientific innovation and global public health.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Shanghai 30% Gracell Biotechnologies 30% Cambridge ×240% Beijing ×350% Pascal Soriot 60% Keir Starmer ×270% UK ×380% China ×890% AstraZeneca ×10100%

Keywords

astrazeneca 100% china investment 90% pharmaceutical industry 70% research and development 70% uk expansion 60% drug manufacturing 60% clinical trials 50% cell therapy 40% radioconjugates 40%