AstraZeneca Employees Detained in China Amid Probes over Data and Drug Imports
Chinese authorities have detained five current and former employees of AstraZeneca, a British pharmaceutical company, amid allegations of illegal activities. The detained individuals, all Chinese citizens who worked in the company's oncology division, are being investigated for potential breaches of China's data privacy laws and the illegal importation of a liver cancer drug that has not been approved for use in mainland China. The detentions took place in Shenzhen earlier this summer.
This investigation poses a significant challenge for AstraZeneca, which is the largest foreign pharmaceutical company in China, generating 12% of its revenues from the country. The company employs around 15,000 people in its Chinese operations and has been investing heavily in the region, including a commitment of over $1 billion for two new factories and the acquisition of a Chinese firm for cell therapies. The recent detentions and ongoing scrutiny may impact AstraZeneca's future operations and growth in the Chinese market.
