AstraZeneca Inks China AI Research Deal For Chronic Diseases
British drugmaker AstraZeneca unveiled on Friday an AI-assisted research partnership with Chinese counterpart CSPC Pharmaceuticals worth up to $5.3 billion to tackle chronic diseases.
AstraZeneca, which has a pre-existing collaboration with CSPC, announced earlier this year plans to invest $2.5 billion in China.
"This strategic research collaboration underscores our commitment to innovation to tackle chronic diseases which impact over two billion people globally," said AstraZeneca executive vice president Sharon Barr.
AstraZeneca aims to develop a research and development centre of up to 1,700 people in the country.
CSPC will carry out the research in Shijiazhuang, using "their AI-driven, dual-engine efficient drug discovery platform", the firm said.
AstraZeneca said the agreement will see CSPC receive an upfront payment of $110 million, plus up to $1.62 billion in "potential development milestone payments" and up to a further $3.6 billion in sales milestone payments, along with annual sales-based royalties.
The multinational will also be able to exercise options for exclusive licences to develop and commercialise worldwide candidates identified under the deal.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Deccan Herald
2 hours ago
- Deccan Herald
UK's $110 million F-35B stealth fighter jet stranded in Kerala for a week
New Delhi: A team of technical experts from the UK is expected to arrive in Thiruvananthapuram in the next couple of days to examine a stranded F-35B 'Lightning' stealth fighter jet of the Royal Navy, people familiar with the matter said on jet, worth over $110 million and known to be one of the most advanced fighters, made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram airport on June aircraft, part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group of the Royal Navy, reportedly had a problem in its hydraulic people cited above said a team of experts from the Royal Navy is arriving in Thiruvananthapuram to inspect the moving fighter jets to Middle East as Israel-Iran war rages days ago, a maintenance team from the Carrier Strike Group inspected the aircraft but could not address the glitch, they Indian Air Force last week said it was providing all necessary support for the "rectification and subsequent return" of the aircraft was undertaking routine flying outside Indian Air Defence Identification Zone with Thiruvananthapuram earmarked as the emergency recovery airfield, it said in a brief HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group carried out military drills with the Indian Navy last is learnt that the aircraft could not return to the carrier on the night of June 14 due to bad weather and made the emergency landing at the Thiruvananthapuram F-35B is the only fifth generation fighter jet with short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities, making it ideal for operating from smaller decks, austere bases and simply as the 'Lightning' in British service, the F-35 model is the short take off/vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the fighter jet that is designed to operate from short-field bases and air-capable ships.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
FATF flags Pakistan bid to ship in missile gear from China on sly
(AI image created using ChatGPT) NEW DELHI: A new report by Financial Action Task Force has flagged Pakistan's attempts to procure equipment for its missile programme by mislabeling shipment, drawing attention to the country's failure in implementing measures to combat financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, which is one of the recommendations of the global watchdog. The report not only reveals that critical components for ballistic missiles originating from China were mislabeled in documents but also links the importer to Pakistan's National Development Complex which handles missile production. India is likely to use the revelations in its dossier to make another push for Pakistan's return to the FATF 'grey list' which identifies countries with weaknesses in their anti-money laundering and terror financing systems. These countries are subjected to closer monitoring and must demonstrate progress on corrective action plans. Pakistan has been on the list three times with the most recent sanction of 2018 lifted in 2022. In Feb 2020, a Chinese vessel named 'Da Cui Yun', which was en route to Port Qasim in Karachi, was intercepted at Gujarat's Kandla port. While the equipment was seized, the ship and its crew were allowed to leave after investigation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo In its latest report titled 'Complex Proliferation Financing and Sanctions Evasion Schemes', FATF refers to the investigation by Indian Customs. "Indian authorities confirmed that documents mis-declared the shipment's dual-use items. Indian investigators certified the items for shipment to be 'autoclaves', which are used for sensitive high energy materials and for insulation and chemical coating of missile motors," it read. "The sensitive items are included in dual-use export control lists of the Missile Technology Control Regime, India, and other jurisdictions. The Bill of Loading of the seized cargo provided evidence of the link between the importer and National Development Complex," it added. FATF may release the report next month amid hopes in India that it would expose Pakistan's inadequacies in combating terror financing - something which could potentially result in the country being placed under enhanced monitoring, and being returned to 'grey list'. This move would subject Pakistan to increased financial scrutiny, impacting foreign investment and capital inflows. India has been pushing for Pakistan's return to the list, citing its brazen support for terrorism and failure to comply with FATF norms.
The Hindu
3 hours ago
- The Hindu
A dire Strait
A crucial choke point for the world's oil supply may become another casualty of the Iran-Israel war. The Strait of Hormuz, a channel less than 100 km in width, separates Iran from the Arabian Peninsula, connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It, however, occupies an outsize importance on the global stage, serving as a key passage for oil and natural gas from the littoral nations of the Persian Gulf, such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, and Iran to the rest of the world. Around a quarter of the world's total oil supply passes through this channel, which is 55km to 95km in width. On average, the Strait witnessed an oil flow of 20 million barrels per day in 2024. The Strait lies next to Iran, which is presently engaged in an escalating conflict with Israel after the latter bombed key nuclear and military sites on June 13, 2025. Iran retaliated with missile strikes. In the past, Iran has threatened to shut down the Strait in times of conflict, and ships have been targeted through the jamming of signals and other retaliatory measures. In the Iran-Iraq war from 1980 to 1988, tankers and cargo ships in the Gulf region were attacked by both countries, leading to U.S. intervention and the escort of Kuwaiti tankers by their warships. Concerns have arisen that Iran may follow the playbook of this war, dubbed the Tanker War. Similar threats Iran had issued similar threats to shut down the canal in 2011-12 following Western oil and banking sanctions. However, the situation de-escalated before any such attempt. The spectre of Strait shutdown resurfaced in 2019, after the U.S withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal and issued heavy sanctions on Iran, leading to a period of tense relations between the two countries. On July 19, 2019, Iran captured Stena Impero, an oil tanker sailing under the British flag, as it passed through the region, to retaliate for the British capture of its vessel. Further, it shot down a U.S surveillance drone, claiming that it had crossed over into its territorial waters. Thus, while a complete shutdown has no historical precedent, disruptions in the global oil trade is expected as the Israel-Iran war continues. Shipping companies such as Nippon Yusen KK have instructed vessels to exercise caution while passing near the Iranian coast. Delays and increased costs of shipping may also drive up oil prices. The price of Brent crude — a global benchmark — saw a brief spike, although it has now stabilised, dipping 2.33%, to settle at $77.01 a barrel. Oil prices had risen by around 3% after Israeli strikes on Iran. While alternate sea routes are not convenient, land-based pipelines may help tide over some challenges. These include pipelines operated by Saudi Arabia's national establishment, ARAMCO, and the UAE. Iran, too, operates the Goreh-Jask pipeline and the Jask export terminal in the Gulf of Oman. There has been a slight decline in the volume of oil shipped through the Strait of Hormuz since 2022, in part owing to a policy adopted by OPEC+ countries to cut down on the production of crude oil. The Strait, however, still remains a central figure. According to a brief by the U.S Energy Information Administration, Saudi Arabia moves the largest volume of crude oil and allied products through the Strait of Hormuz. More than 80% of the oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz is destined for Asian ports. India's oil supply is heavily reliant on the region, with around 40% of its crude oil imports and 54% of its liquefied natural gas imports travelling through the Strait of Hormuz. Indian oil exports may also be disrupted by the regional strife, with domestic demand taking precedence in the event of a shortfall. Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, noted that of the 5.5 million barrels of oil consumed daily in India, 1.5 million pass through the Strait. Mr. Puri has indicated that India will consider other options, including imports from West Africa, if the Strait is blocked. As trouble brews in West Asia, all eyes are on the Strait of Hormuz.
