AstraZeneca struck a transformative strategic collaboration with China’s CSPC Pharmaceuticals, paying $1.2 billion up front and structuring the deal to reach roughly $18.5 billion in total consideration tied to development and sales milestones. The agreement hands AstraZeneca global rights (excluding Greater China) to an eight‑program portfolio of once‑monthly injectable peptide-based obesity candidates led by SYH2082. CSPC will advance early clinical work for multiple candidates, then transfer later‑stage development and commercialization responsibilities to AstraZeneca. The partners will deploy CSPC’s AI‑enabled peptide platform alongside AstraZeneca’s global development and commercial footprint. AstraZeneca framed the deal as a fast route to scale its weight‑management pipeline and complement internal GLP‑1/GIP programs. The transaction highlights continuing pharma interest in acquiring late‑stage and clinic‑ready obesity assets from China to shortcut discovery timelines. The deal is tied to a planned close in Q2 2026 and includes significant near‑term and contingent milestone payments, underlining how competitive the obesity category remains for big pharma portfolios.