AstraZeneca has entered a research collaboration with CSPC Pharmaceutical Group to discover small-molecule therapies for chronic diseases using CSPC’s AI-powered platform. Under the agreement, CSPC will lead early discovery work at its Shijiazhuang facility, while AstraZeneca will receive exclusive global rights to develop and commercialise any resulting candidates.

The deal includes an upfront payment of $55 million to CSPC, with potential development and sales-related milestones totalling up to $1.8 billion, plus tiered royalties. The collaboration aims to accelerate drug discovery in areas such as cardiovascular, metabolic, and respiratory diseases.