AstraZeneca, a major drug company, has agreed to pay up to $4.7 billion to work with CSPC Pharmaceuticals, a Chinese company, to create new weight-loss drugs. This is part of a growing trend in the pharmaceutical industry to develop treatments for obesity. AstraZeneca will pay $1.2 billion initially for access to eight programs focused on weight loss and type 2 diabetes. If these programs succeed, CSPC could earn an additional $3.5 billion, plus a share of future sales. One of the most promising drugs in this deal is SYH2082, which is designed to be injected once a month. AstraZeneca will handle the development and sale of these drugs worldwide, except in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau, where CSPC will retain rights. This deal strengthens AstraZeneca’s existing portfolio of weight-loss drugs, which includes a pill and other injectable treatments. The focus is on creating drugs that need to be taken less frequently. Recently, Pfizer agreed to pay up to $10 billion for a company developing similar monthly injectable weight-loss drugs. Sharon Barr, head of research and development at AstraZeneca, said this partnership will help them offer new treatments that are easier for patients to use, addressing key challenges in long-term weight management. Weight-loss therapies have become very profitable for drug companies. Currently, Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk lead the market with their respective drugs, tirzepatide and semaglutide. The global market for obesity treatments is expected to reach $173.5 billion by 2031. This is AstraZeneca’s second major deal with CSPC in a year. In June 2025, they agreed to a $5.2 billion deal to research drugs for chronic diseases. Chinese companies are playing a significant role in global drug development, accounting for 20% of drugs currently in development. This deal follows AstraZeneca’s announcement of a $15 billion investment in China by 2030 to expand its research and development capabilities and build new facilities.