AstraZeneca weighs China unit spinoff amid geopolitical risks - report
Robert Way

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) is weighing the spinoff of its China unit and listing the business in Hong Kong amid growing geopolitical risks, the Financial Times reported citing unnamed sources.
The drugmaker began discussions with lenders several months ago, although a spinoff may not materialize, the report said. AstraZeneca (AZN) may also consider listing the business in Shanghai.

A separate listing would insulate the business from any potential crackdown on foreign companies in China.
The domestic listing could also help AstraZeneca (AZN) win faster approvals for therapies developed in China.
"Every multinational with a strong China business" seems to have considered a similar move, a senior banker told
FT. "Even if it's just the option to give you flexibility in the future, it's worth thinking about."
"We do not comment on rumors or speculations around future strategy or M&A," an AstraZeneca (AZN) spokesperson told Seeking Alpha in an emailed statement.

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