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AstraZeneca PLC

Pharmaceuticals and BiotechnologyFounded 1999
Reviewed by Swet Parvadiya
Company data updated: September 2026

Acquisitions

AstraZeneca Acquisitions

8

Major Deals Covered

$64.0B

Disclosed Deal Value

What are AstraZeneca's biggest acquisitions?

AstraZeneca's largest disclosed acquisition here is Alexion Pharmaceuticals for $39B in 2021. This page covers 8 major deals from 2006 to 2025, each with its price where disclosed and the reason behind it.

Major deals covered
8
Largest deal
Alexion Pharmaceuticals ($39B)
First deal
2006
Most recent
2025
CompanyYearPricePurpose
Alexion Pharmaceuticals2021$39.0BAstraZeneca acquired Alexion to enter the rare disease market with a proven complement-biology platform, gaining Soliris and Ultomiris as immediate blockbuster revenue drivers and establishing a dedicated rare disease unit headquartered in Boston. The acquisition provided scientific expertise in immunology that AstraZeneca lacked internally, along with specialized commercial infrastructure for ultra-rare disease diagnosis and patient identification.
MedImmune2007$15.6BAstraZeneca acquired MedImmune to gain biologics manufacturing capabilities, antibody technology platforms, and the Synagis respiratory syncytial virus franchise. The deal represented AstraZeneca's recognition that the future of pharmaceutical innovation lay in large-molecule biologics rather than small-molecule chemistry alone.
Cambridge Antibody Technology2006$1.3BAstraZeneca agreed in May 2006 to buy Cambridge Antibody Technology for 1,320 pence a share, valuing the UK biotech at 702 million pounds or about $1.32 billion, after a collaboration begun in 2004 and having already held 19.2% of the shares.
Almirall Respiratory Portfolio2014$2.1BAstraZeneca acquired the respiratory portfolio of Spanish pharmaceutical company Almirall, including Eklira and rights to a pipeline of COPD and asthma candidates, to strengthen its position in the respiratory market ahead of Symbicort's patent expiration.
Fusion Pharmaceuticals2024$2.0BAstraZeneca acquired Fusion Pharmaceuticals for $2 billion in cash to access radiopharmaceutical and antibody-drug conjugate technologies, particularly the targeted alpha therapies platform that delivers potent radioisotopes directly to cancer cells.
Gracell Biotechnologies2024$1.2BAstraZeneca acquired Gracell Biotechnologies for $1.2 billion to access autologous cell therapy manufacturing capabilities and the FasTCAR platform, which reduces CAR-T production time from weeks to days.
CinCor Pharma2023$1.8BAstraZeneca agreed on 9 January 2023 to acquire CinCor Pharma for up to $1.8 billion, $26 per share in cash at closing plus a non-tradable contingent value right of $10 per share on a specified baxdrostat regulatory submission, to add an aldosterone synthase inhibitor for hard-to-control hypertension.
EsoBiotec2025$1.0BAstraZeneca acquired Belgian biotech EsoBiotec for up to $1 billion to access in vivo cell therapy technology that delivers CAR-T genetic modifications directly within the patient's body, eliminating the need for ex vivo manufacturing.
What companies has AstraZeneca bought?
Major acquisitions by AstraZeneca documented here include Alexion Pharmaceuticals (2021), MedImmune (2007), Almirall Respiratory Portfolio (2014), Fusion Pharmaceuticals (2024) and CinCor Pharma (2023).
What is AstraZeneca's most recent acquisition?
The most recent AstraZeneca acquisition documented here is EsoBiotec, in 2025, for $1B.

EsoBiotec

2025

$1.0B

Why

AstraZeneca acquired Belgian biotech EsoBiotec for up to $1 billion to access in vivo cell therapy technology that delivers CAR-T genetic modifications directly within the patient's body, eliminating the need for ex vivo manufacturing.

Impact

If successful, in vivo cell therapy could democratize access to CAR-T treatments by removing the manufacturing complexity, cost, and time delays that currently limit these therapies to specialized treatment centres.

Outcome

The acquisition was completed in March 2025, with EsoBiotec's platform integrated into AstraZeneca's early-stage oncology research.

Source →

Fusion Pharmaceuticals

2024

$2.0B

Why

AstraZeneca acquired Fusion Pharmaceuticals for $2 billion in cash to access radiopharmaceutical and antibody-drug conjugate technologies, particularly the targeted alpha therapies platform that delivers potent radioisotopes directly to cancer cells.

Impact

The acquisition expanded AstraZeneca's oncology modality diversity beyond small molecules, biologics, and traditional ADCs into radiopharmaceuticals, a category with high barriers to entry due to manufacturing complexity and regulatory requirements.

Outcome

Fusion's pipeline was integrated into AstraZeneca's oncology R&D organization, with several programs advancing into clinical development.

Source →

Gracell Biotechnologies

2024

$1.2B

Why

AstraZeneca acquired Gracell Biotechnologies for $1.2 billion to access autologous cell therapy manufacturing capabilities and the FasTCAR platform, which reduces CAR-T production time from weeks to days.

Impact

The acquisition supported AstraZeneca's cell therapy strategy, complementing the Rockville manufacturing facility and providing technology that could address the manufacturing bottlenecks limiting CAR-T accessibility.

Outcome

Gracell's technology was integrated into AstraZeneca's cell therapy pipeline, with clinical programs continuing under AstraZeneca governance.

Source →

CinCor Pharma

2023

$1.8B

Why

AstraZeneca agreed on 9 January 2023 to acquire CinCor Pharma for up to $1.8 billion, $26 per share in cash at closing plus a non-tradable contingent value right of $10 per share on a specified baxdrostat regulatory submission, to add an aldosterone synthase inhibitor for hard-to-control hypertension.

Impact

Baxdrostat added a novel mechanism to the CVRM pipeline, with potential applications in heart failure and chronic kidney disease where aldosterone-driven inflammation plays a pathological role.

Outcome

Baxdrostat completed Phase III development and was approved in the US in May 2026 as Baxfendy for hypertension in combination with other antihypertensives, based on the BaxHTN trial.

Source →

Alexion Pharmaceuticals

2021

$39.0B

Why

AstraZeneca acquired Alexion to enter the rare disease market with a proven complement-biology platform, gaining Soliris and Ultomiris as immediate blockbuster revenue drivers and establishing a dedicated rare disease unit headquartered in Boston. The acquisition provided scientific expertise in immunology that AstraZeneca lacked internally, along with specialized commercial infrastructure for ultra-rare disease diagnosis and patient identification.

Impact

The Alexion acquisition added $6 billion in immediate annual revenue and transformed AstraZeneca's portfolio mix, reducing oncology concentration while adding a high-margin rare disease segment with pricing power protected by small patient populations and complex biologics manufacturing. Rare disease became one of AstraZeneca's four main therapy areas, with Ultomiris its largest medicine in the segment.

Outcome

The acquisition achieved $500 million in annual run-rate synergies by the third year post-close and was immediately core earnings-accretive. Alexion shareholders received $13.3 billion in cash and 236 million new AstraZeneca shares, representing approximately 15% of the combined company.

Source →

Almirall Respiratory Portfolio

2014

$2.1B

Why

AstraZeneca acquired the respiratory portfolio of Spanish pharmaceutical company Almirall, including Eklira and rights to a pipeline of COPD and asthma candidates, to strengthen its position in the respiratory market ahead of Symbicort's patent expiration.

Impact

The acquisition added inhaled portfolio products and pipeline candidates that supported the development of Breztri, a triple-combination therapy for COPD that generated $906 million in the first nine months of 2025.

Outcome

Breztri became a growth driver in the respiratory portfolio, though some acquired assets were later divested or discontinued. The acquisition demonstrated AstraZeneca's willingness to use M&A to defend therapy area leadership.

Source →

MedImmune

2007

$15.6B

Why

AstraZeneca acquired MedImmune to gain biologics manufacturing capabilities, antibody technology platforms, and the Synagis respiratory syncytial virus franchise. The deal represented AstraZeneca's recognition that the future of pharmaceutical innovation lay in large-molecule biologics rather than small-molecule chemistry alone.

Impact

MedImmune became the foundation of AstraZeneca's biologics research and development, contributing antibody discovery technologies that supported the development of Imfinzi, Fasenra, and Tezspire. The Gaithersburg, Maryland facility became one of three global R&D centres.

Outcome

While the acquisition was initially criticized as overpriced, the long-term value became apparent as biologics grew to represent more than 50% of AstraZeneca's revenue. Synagis generated consistent seasonal revenue, though the franchise eventually faced competition from Beyfortus.

Source →

Cambridge Antibody Technology

2006

$1.3B

Why

AstraZeneca agreed in May 2006 to buy Cambridge Antibody Technology for 1,320 pence a share, valuing the UK biotech at 702 million pounds or about $1.32 billion, after a collaboration begun in 2004 and having already held 19.2% of the shares.

Impact

The acquisition provided the antibody engineering platform that produced Imfinzi and other monoclonal antibodies, establishing AstraZeneca's credibility in the biologics sector before the larger MedImmune acquisition.

Outcome

Cambridge Antibody Technology's technology was integrated into MedImmune's operations and became a core component of AstraZeneca's biologics pipeline, though the standalone financial return on the acquisition was modest compared to strategic value.

Source →

AstraZeneca PLC's Growth & Acquisition Strategy

AstraZeneca's growth strategy relies on extending its existing cancer drugs into earlier stages of treatment, before the cancer spreads, which increases the number of patients who can be treated. The $39 billion acquisition of Alexion Pharmaceuticals in 2021 also took it into rare diseases, where drugs treat small patient populations, carry high prices and face little generic competition.

How AstraZeneca PLC Makes Money

AstraZeneca discovers, develops and sells prescription medicines, and the economics turn on patent-protected pricing funded by heavy research spending. It invested $14.2 billion in research and development in 2025, about a quarter of Total Revenue, and reported gross profit of $48.1 billion on cost of sales of $10.6 billion. Because most drug candidates fail, the company supplements internal discovery with licensing and acquisitions, from the $39 billion Alexion deal to the Daiichi Sankyo antibody-drug conjugate alliance, and shares development costs and profits with partners including Daiichi Sankyo, Amgen and Merck.

AstraZeneca Acquisitions FAQ

When and for how much did AstraZeneca acquire Alexion Pharmaceuticals?

AstraZeneca completed the acquisition of Alexion Pharmaceuticals in July 2021 for $39 billion in cash and American Depositary Shares (ADSs), creating a high-margin Rare Disease business unit.

When did AstraZeneca acquire MedImmune and what biologic capabilities did it bring?

In June 2007, AstraZeneca acquired U.S. biologics pioneer MedImmune for $15.6 billion in cash, acquiring respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) monoclonal antibody Synagis, nasal flu vaccine FluMist, and foundational antibody engineering platforms.

When did AstraZeneca acquire CinCor Pharma and what drug candidate did it add?

In February 2023, AstraZeneca acquired CinCor Pharma for up to $1.8 billion, gaining baxdrostat, a next-generation aldosterone synthase inhibitor for treatment-resistant hypertension and chronic kidney disease.

When did AstraZeneca acquire Gracell Biotechnologies to expand CAR-T cell therapy?

In February 2024, AstraZeneca acquired Gracell Biotechnologies for up to $1.2 billion, gaining its proprietary FasTCAR platform for fast-manufacturing dual-targeting autologous and allogeneic CAR-T therapies for blood cancers and autoimmune disease.

When did AstraZeneca acquire fusion protein biotech Amolyt Pharma?

In July 2024, AstraZeneca completed the acquisition of France-based Amolyt Pharma for up to $1.05 billion, adding eneboparatide, a Phase 3 therapeutic peptide for the treatment of hypoparathyroidism, into Alexion's rare endocrinology pipeline.

When did AstraZeneca acquire Icosavax for virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines?

In February 2024, AstraZeneca acquired clinical-stage vaccine maker Icosavax for up to $1.1 billion, acquiring its proprietary VLP platform and IVX-A12 combination vaccine candidate against RSV and human metapneumovirus (hMPV).

When did AstraZeneca acquire ZS Pharma for hyperkalemia therapy Lokelma?

In December 2015, AstraZeneca acquired ZS Pharma for $2.7 billion in cash, gaining sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (Lokelma), an oral potassium binder for the treatment of hyperkalemia in cardiovascular and renal patients.

What was the strategic impact of acquiring Cambridge Antibody Technology (CAT) in 2006?

AstraZeneca acquired Cambridge Antibody Technology (CAT) in 2006 for £702 million ($1.3 billion), gaining the pioneer phage-display antibody platform that originally co-discovered world-blockbuster Humira.

What companies has AstraZeneca acquired?

AstraZeneca famously executed a massive $39 billion acquisition of Alexion Pharmaceuticals to immediately establish total dominance in the highly lucrative rare disease and immunology markets.

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Content is for informational purposes only. Not financial advice. Data sourced from SEC filings, annual reports, and public records. See our full disclaimer and methodology.