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British drugmaker AstraZeneca has reported a 45 per cent surge in annual net profit, driven largely by robust global demand for its cancer treatments and an accelerating strategic shift towards the United States and China.
The company reported profit after tax of $10.2 billion in 2025, up from $7.0 billion the previous year. Revenue rose nine per cent to $58.7 billion, underpinned by strong oncology sales across key markets.
Chief Executive Pascal Soriot described the results as evidence of sustained commercial strength and scientific delivery. “In 2025, we saw strong commercial performance across our therapy areas and excellent pipeline delivery,” Soriot said. He added that “the momentum across our company is continuing in 2026,” with AstraZeneca targeting $80 billion in annual revenue by the end of the decade.
A central element of this growth strategy is deeper expansion into the company’s two largest markets: the United States and China. Last month, AstraZeneca unveiled plans to invest $15 billion in China by 2030 to expand its manufacturing and research capabilities. The announcement coincided with a diplomatic visit to Beijing by Keir Starmer, during which the company also revealed a partnership with CSPC Pharmaceutical to develop and commercialise weight-loss injections, a fast-growing segment in global healthcare.
At the same time, AstraZeneca has been repositioning itself towards the United States, where it expects to generate half of its global revenue by 2030. In 2025, the US already accounted for 43 per cent of total sales. Reflecting the market’s importance, the company began listing its shares directly on the New York Stock Exchange in February, while maintaining its headquarters and primary listing in London.
This US pivot comes amid trade pressures from Donald Trump, who has pushed pharmaceutical companies to relocate manufacturing to the US. In response, AstraZeneca announced in July that it would invest $50 billion by 2030 to expand its US manufacturing and research footprint.
Trump also negotiated significantly lower drug prices from the company for American consumers. In return, his administration agreed to delay the imposition of new pharmaceutical tariffs for three years. Despite this temporary reprieve, the pharmaceutical sector remains a key focus of Washington’s trade policy as pressure mounts on global drugmakers to deepen their US presence.
AstraZeneca’s financial performance and geographic repositioning signal a company balancing commercial growth, geopolitical realities, and scientific innovation as it aims to reshape its global footprint over the coming decade.
