Beijing: AstraZeneca’s new global research and development (R and D) centre was officially opened in the BioPark of the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (BDA) on Saturday. This marks the British pharmaceutical giant’s sixth global strategic R and D centre and its second in China, following its first in Shanghai.
According to Emirates News Agency, the new facility will leverage Beijing’s scientific ecosystem and strengths in artificial intelligence to accelerate the development of next-generation drugs. It will collaborate closely with the global strategic R and D centre in Shanghai to lead drug discovery and clinical development efforts, accelerating the translation of innovations into medicines.
He Jing, AstraZeneca’s Global Senior Vice President and President of R and D China, emphasized the significance of new drug R and D as the core driver of the pharmaceutical industry. “Through collaborations with ecosystem partners, we aim to achieve strong synergies by fully leveraging our respective advantages,” she stated. The Beijing centre will benefit from the support, facilities, and robust R and D ecosystem of the BDA, enhancing its cooperation with research hospitals, universities, and biotech companies.
The BDA serves as a key hub for high-end industries and the biomedical sector, hosting over 5,000 biopharmaceutical companies, including global firms like Pfizer, Bayer, and Sanofi, as well as local players such as Beijing Tide Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and Youcare Pharmaceutical Group. The area covers the entire health care industrial chain, and since 2025, two innovative drugs and three innovative medical devices have been approved within the region.