AstraZeneca agreed to acquire the remaining China rights to C‑CAR031 from AbelZeta Pharma for up to $630 million in upfront and milestone payments, giving the pharma firm full global control of a GPC3‑targeted armored CAR‑T developed for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). AstraZeneca already held ex‑China rights and now consolidates global ownership to advance development and commercialization. AbelZeta and AstraZeneca cited promising early clinical activity: a 2024 first‑in‑human study in China reported an objective response rate of 56.5% across dose levels, rising to 75% at the highest dose. AstraZeneca framed the deal as strategic to maximize C‑CAR031’s global reach, while AbelZeta highlighted cultural and strategic fit in the transaction. Why it matters: the move reflects Big Pharma commitment to solid‑tumor CAR‑T assets and the commercial value of regional co‑development rights for high‑need oncology indications like HCC.