AstraZeneca deepens commitment to China at 8th CIIE with new $136 million investment to expand production capacity in Qingdao

On November 5, 2025, AstraZeneca, a multinational pharmaceutical company that has participated for eight consecutive years, made its appearance at the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) under the theme "Advancing with China for a Healthier Future." The company announced the expansion of its production layout in China and its latest achievements in sustainable development, while also exhibiting multiple innovative medicines.

On the first day of the CIIE, AstraZeneca signed a cooperation agreement with the Qingdao High-tech Industrial Development Zone Management Committee, announcing an additional investment of approximately $136 million to expand the production capacity of its Qingdao supply base. This expansion will further increase the output of AstraZeneca's inhalation aerosols, better meeting the treatment needs of patients with respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Simultaneously, the Qingdao base project has adopted energy-saving technologies to help achieve near-zero carbon operations.

Iskra Reic, AstraZeneca's Executive Vice President and Head of International Business, stated that the company remains committed to deepening its roots in China, working hand-in-hand with partners to support China as a key hub for global healthcare innovation. The Qingdao base expansion project announced at the CIIE demonstrates AstraZeneca's confidence in China's innovation ecosystem and its vision to jointly promote scientific progress and shared health outcomes.

On the same day, government representatives from AstraZeneca's three primary supply bases in China—Wuxi, Taizhou, and Qingdao—gathered at the booth to jointly witness the significant progress made in the low-carbon transition of these facilities. Currently, the Wuxi base has achieved 100% renewable energy usage and has become the first supply base in its industry in China to adopt innovative clean heating solutions, also receiving carbon neutrality pledge certification. The Taizhou base has reduced carbon emissions by 97.5% compared to the 2015 baseline. The Qingdao base, currently under construction, is also expected to achieve near-zero carbon operations after commissioning.

At this year's CIIE, AstraZeneca also exhibited for the first time two innovative oncology drugs approved in China this year: Truqap® (capivasertib) and Datroway® (datopotamab deruxtecan). Together with other innovative breast cancer therapies, these drugs will further address the clinical needs of nearly 3.8 million breast cancer patients in China.

Meanwhile, innovative therapies across multiple newly expanded disease areas were also featured at the booth. Over the past seven years, AstraZeneca has consistently aligned with the "Healthy China 2030" goals, bringing a total of 18 "CIIE-born" products covering respiratory, renal, digestive, rare diseases, autoimmune conditions, and multiple cancer types, providing patients with more treatment options.

In October of this year, AstraZeneca's new global strategic R&D center was officially inaugurated in Beijing. This center is AstraZeneca's sixth globally and its second strategic R&D center in China, serving as a core project of the company's $2.5 billion investment plan announced earlier this year. With the launch of this center, AstraZeneca will further consolidate its presence in China and accelerate the translation of innovative achievements into life-changing medicines.