AstraZeneca signs $1.2bn obesity drug collaboration with CSPCAstraZeneca plc (LON:AZN) strengthens its weight management portfolio through a new strategic collaboration agreement with CSPC Pharmaceuticals to advance the development of multiple next-generation therapies for obesity and type 2 diabetes across eight programmes. Sharon Barr, Executive Vice President and Head of BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, said: “This strategic collaboration advances our weight management portfolio by delivering novel assets which complement our existing programmes. Under the agreement, CSPC will progress ongoing development of the four programmes through Phase I completion, alongside the four new programmes. CSPC retains all rights for China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau, and following successful approval, AstraZeneca has the right to opt-in to co-commercialise these products. This agreement builds on existing strategic collaborations between AstraZeneca and CSPC.