The collaboration aims to identify and develop preclinical candidates for several high-priority targets, with the potential to treat chronic diseases that affect over two billion people globally. By combining AstraZeneca’s scientific expertise with CSPC’s AI technology, the partners aim to develop next-generation medicines faster and more effectively. Sharon Barr, Executive Vice President and Head of BioPharmaceuticals R&D at AstraZeneca, commented:
– This strategic research collaboration underscores our commitment to innovation to tackle chronic diseases which impact over two billion people globally. Forming strong collaborations allows us to leverage our complementary scientific expertise to support the rapid discovery of high-quality novel therapeutic molecules to deliver the next-generation medicines.
AI-driven research at the center
The CSPC platform uses artificial intelligence to analyze binding patterns between target proteins and existing molecules, enabling targeted optimization and selection of small molecules with high efficiency and good scalability. The platform has the potential to revolutionize the drug discovery process by reducing time and cost, a challenge that AstraZeneca has long addressed with AI integration in its research, for example through previous collaborations with BenevolentAI.
The agreement is a continuation of previous collaboration with CSPC, where they previously signed a licensing agreement worth up to USD 2 billion for a preclinical lipoprotein(a) inhibitor (YS2302018) for cardiovascular diseases.
Under the new agreement, CSPC will receive an upfront payment of USD 110 million. The company is also eligible for up to USD 1,62 billion in development-related milestone payments and up to USD 3,6 billion in sales-related milestone payments, as well as single-digit royalties based on annual net sales. AstraZeneca will have the right to exercise options for exclusive licenses to develop and commercialize candidates identified under the collaboration globally.
AstraZeneca has been very active in building a presence in China recently. In mid-March, the company announced that it intends to invest USD 2,5 billion in Beijing to establish a new global strategic research and development center, its sixth in a row.
