AstraZeneca and CSPC Pharmaceutical announced on Aug. 10 a joint venture to construct a biologics manufacturing plant in Shijiazhuang, China. The collaboration is part of AstraZeneca’s ongoing investment strategy in the country, which includes a commitment made in January to spend $15 billion by the end of the decade.
Under the agreement, CSPC will hold a 51% equity stake while AstraZeneca will hold 49%. Both companies will contribute capital for the construction of the site located in Shijiazhuang, about 165 miles southwest of Beijing and home to CSPC’s headquarters. The partners said they will jointly manage both construction and daily operations at the facility.
AstraZeneca plans to leverage its global quality system and supply management experience for this project. CSPC highlighted its expertise in building “highly automated, intelligent and lean manufacturing facilities.” Initially, production at the new site will focus on mutually agreed but undisclosed biologic drug substances intended for global markets. As business develops and demand grows, more products may be added to the facility’s scope.
According to CSPC, working with AstraZeneca supports creating high-quality manufacturing capabilities that meet international market demands. The partnership is expected to enhance CSPC’s ability to serve global markets and support future overseas product launches.
The joint venture expands an existing relationship between AstraZeneca and CSPC that has included several deals since 2024: $100 million upfront for rights to a preclinical lipid-lowering drug candidate; $110 million for an artificial intelligence drug development pact; $1.2 billion upfront for a GLP-1/GIP prospect; and $30 million for kidney disease collaboration. Beyond research partnerships, AstraZeneca has also invested in other Chinese facilities—including alliances with BioKangtai for vaccine production in Beijing, expansion projects such as an additional $136 million investment into Qingdao inhaled medicines plant, as well as establishing cell therapy capabilities with a new center under construction in Shanghai.
