Pharma

AstraZeneca ‘mulling split from Chinese business amid rising tensions’

Drugs giant hopes to be better protected against political reprisals from Beijing against foreign companies

  • June 19, 2023
The plan would separate Astra’s Chinese operations into a separate company whose shares would be traded on the Hong Kong or Shanghai stock exchanges. Picture: Getty

AstraZeneca is looking at plans to spin off its Chinese businesses to protect it from geopolitical tension, according to a report.

Citing people familiar with the situation, the Financial Times said the British-Swedish drugs giant has been in talks with bankers for several months.

When contacted by the PA news agency, AstraZeneca did not wish to comment on the report.

The plan would separate Astra’s Chinese operations into a separate company whose shares would be ...