Shanghai, February 27, 2024, The Europe Today: At the 2024 Shanghai Bio-Pharmaceutical Industry International Development Conference, AstraZeneca revealed that Shanghai has officially been designated as the fifth global strategic hub for the British pharmaceutical giant. This positions Shanghai alongside existing hubs in the United States, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
The Shanghai hub is envisioned as a comprehensive global strategic center, seamlessly integrating research and development (R&D), commercial activities, and production operations. AstraZeneca emphasized the pivotal role this hub will play as a strategic launching pad for the company’s global initiatives, emphasizing both R&D and long-term development goals.
Pascal Soriot, Chief Executive Officer of AstraZeneca, highlighted the deep-rooted history the company has in China, spanning over three decades, with Shanghai serving as the epicenter of their strategic pursuits in the region. Soriot expressed optimism about the potential of Shanghai and the broader Yangtze River Delta region, emphasizing their capacity to leverage international capabilities for the global promotion of local innovations. Specifically, he cited the opportunity to enhance the global recognition of Chinese clinical research data.
“We see great opportunity for Shanghai and the Yangtze River Delta region to leverage its international capabilities to globalize local innovations, for instance by promoting global recognition of Chinese clinical research data,” noted Soriot. He affirmed AstraZeneca’s unwavering commitment to further exploring the vast Chinese market, emphasizing the company’s dedication to contributing to and benefitting from the dynamic pharmaceutical landscape in the region.
The decision to designate Shanghai as a global strategic hub underscores AstraZeneca’s confidence in the city’s potential to drive advancements in the pharmaceutical industry and aligns with the company’s broader commitment to fostering global collaboration in research and development. As AstraZeneca continues to deepen its roots in China, the announcement sets the stage for increased international engagement, innovation, and mutual growth within the global pharmaceutical landscape.
