AstraZeneca signs $18.5bn weight loss drug deal with CSPC

Back to news list

Source: Pharmaceutical Technology

Original: https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/news/astrazeneca-signs-18-5bn-weight-l...

Published: Fri, 30 Jan 2026 11:39:52 +0000

AstraZeneca has signed an $18.5 billion weight loss drug licensing deal with China's CSPC. The deal is for a monthly injection to treat obesity. With this move, AstraZeneca is returning to the field of obesity. The company successfully fended off a takeover attempt by Pfizer in 2014. CEO Pascal Soriot made good on a promise to increase annual revenue from $26 billion to $45 billion by 2023, up from $45.8 billion last year. AstraZeneca employs 89,000 people worldwide and generates revenue from prescription drugs. Oncology and biopharmaceutical drugs make up 40% of sales each, rare diseases 17%. The largest share of sales comes from the USA (42%).