BEIJING — The ongoing investigation into AstraZeneca’s activities in China has taken a new turn with the detention of Leon Wang, the company’s China president. This follows a month of scrutiny surrounding the pharmaceutical giant’s alleged mishandling of patient data and importation of unapproved drugs.
AstraZeneca, a UK-headquartered pharmaceutical leader known for its COVID-19 vaccine, confirmed Wang’s detention on Thursday, with representatives stating that the company “will fully cooperate with Chinese authorities if requested.” AstraZeneca reassured that its operations in China continue, stressing its commitment to delivering critical treatments to patients.
The Chinese market has been vital for AstraZeneca, but the firm has increasingly faced regulatory challenges there. In September, Bloomberg reported that five current and former employees were under investigation, with probes concentrated in Shenzhen. Allegations center on AstraZeneca’s handling of patient data, potentially violating China’s stringent data privacy laws, as well as the unauthorized import of a liver cancer treatment not yet cleared for distribution in the mainland.
Industry experts note that foreign companies in China, particularly in tech and healthcare, have faced rising legal and regulatory barriers. Transparency concerns over data regulations and apprehension around employee detentions reflect broader challenges for international firms operating in the region. With a global workforce of 90,000, AstraZeneca’s experience may serve as a critical case study for other companies navigating China’s regulatory landscape.
