Pillar Biosciences and AstraZeneca announced an expansion of their liquid‑biopsy collaboration into China to increase availability of plasma‑based tumor profiling kits at major clinical labs. The partners will work with Shanghai Zhengu Biological Technology for assay validation and implementation in local hospital settings. Pillar’s panels include a 104‑gene Core LBx, a 34‑gene Essential LBx and a Fusion LBx for RNA fusions; the China expansion follows an earlier Europe rollout. Financial terms were not disclosed. The move aims to broaden access to plasma tumor profiling in a strategically important market and support oncology trial enrollment, biomarker‑driven patient selection, and companion diagnostic workflows.