AstraZeneca has entered into a deal worth up to $1.77 billion with CSPC Pharmaceutical Group to discover and develop experimental medicines with the potential to treat kidney (renal) diseases.
Under the agreement, CSPC will receive a $30 million upfront payment and could earn up to approximately $1.74 billion in additional payments tied to development and sales-related milestones.
AstraZeneca will have the option to obtain exclusive rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize one preclinical small nucleic acid drug candidate globally, and a second candidate outside China; CSPC retains China rights to one of the assets.
The collaboration focuses on siRNA candidates and leverages CSPC’s AI-powered siRNA discovery platform and targeted delivery technology for two renal disease targets; the specific diseases have not been disclosed.
The deal was announced on July 2, 2026, and is part of AstraZeneca’s broader strategy to strengthen its cardiovascular, renal & metabolism pipeline via partnerships in China.
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