AstraZeneca struck a major China‑focused deal with CSPC Pharmaceutical Group that includes an up‑front payment of $1.2 billion and rights to multiple metabolic assets, among them a once‑monthly GLP‑1/GIP agonist in Phase 1. BioCentury and MedCity News report the transaction expands AstraZeneca’s metabolic portfolio and leverages long‑acting formulation technology to compete in the obesity market. Deal documents and coverage say the pact builds on an existing R&D relationship between the firms and transfers eight assets to AstraZeneca’s China program. The agreement reflects continued big‑pharma appetite for differentiated GLP‑1/GIP modalities and long‑acting dosing formats intended to broaden patient access and payer profiles in Asia and global markets.