Former President of AstraZeneca China, prosecuted

More than a year after being taken in for investigation, there is a new development in the case involving Wang Lei, the former “number one” in AstraZeneca (AZN.US) China, related to insurance fraud and smuggling.

On February 12, media reports stated that Wang Lei (Leon Wang), former Global Executive Vice President, Chairman of International Business, and President of China at AstraZeneca, has been officially prosecuted by Chinese authorities. AstraZeneca has confirmed the contents of the indictment to the media.

Market sources indicate that the charges include illegal drug importation, illegal collection of personal information, and healthcare insurance fraud.

On February 12, Times Finance contacted AstraZeneca regarding the authenticity of the news and whether the company has any further disclosures. As of press time, no response has been received.

Public records show that Wang Lei, born in 1972, joined AstraZeneca in March 2013 and was under investigation until October 2024. He worked at AstraZeneca for over ten years, holding multiple key positions including Vice President of the Gastrointestinal, Respiratory, and Anesthesia Business Units in China, President of China, and Global Executive Vice President.

In the latest annual report, AstraZeneca stated that in November 2025, the Shenzhen People’s Procuratorate completed its review, and AstraZeneca China, along with a former Executive Vice President and a former senior employee, are facing formal criminal charges for suspected illegal collection of personal information, illegal trade, and healthcare insurance fraud.

The report did not specify the names of those involved, but multiple media outlets confirmed that the “former Executive Vice President” mentioned refers to Wang Lei.

AstraZeneca stated that these two former employees will be tried in the Intermediate People’s Court of Shenzhen, with the trial date yet to be determined.

From a Legend to a Prisoner

Since October 2024, when Wang Lei was investigated for his involvement in the case, the high-level executive closely tied to AstraZeneca China has been a hot topic, and his era has abruptly ended amid the controversy.

Public records show that Wang Lei, born in 1972, is not a medical professional. A graduate of Shanghai Foreign Studies University, he was originally a foreign language tour guide. In 1996, he joined Roche as an assistant to the general manager. He spent 16 years at Roche, working across various departments including HR, R&D, and marketing.

In 2013, Wang Lei joined AstraZeneca as head of the Gastrointestinal, Respiratory, and Anesthesia Business Units. Over a year later, he achieved his long-held goal: “Since entering the industry in 1996, my goal has been to become the President of a multinational pharmaceutical company’s China operations.” By the end of 2014, he was promoted to President of AstraZeneca Greater China; in January 2017, he was further promoted to Global Executive Vice President, responsible for strategy and business development in Asia-Pacific.

Under Wang Lei’s leadership, AstraZeneca’s performance in China soared, especially in the respiratory field. The company aggressively expanded into county markets, establishing respiratory nebulization centers at the grassroots level. AstraZeneca’s “nebulized drugs” became well-known among the public. Along with the rising performance, AstraZeneca China’s position within AstraZeneca’s global footprint also improved, becoming the second-largest single market for the company.

In 2024, AstraZeneca achieved revenue of $54.073 billion, with China’s revenue reaching a record high of $6.413 billion, an 11% increase year-over-year. This made AstraZeneca the top multinational pharmaceutical company in China by revenue.

However, on the evening of October 30, 2024, AstraZeneca’s global and China official websites disclosed that Wang Lei was in China cooperating with investigations.

In fact, even before Wang Lei was taken in for investigation, AstraZeneca was already embroiled in investigations and public controversy. Besides the ongoing insurance fraud case that started in 2021, there were also suspicions involving employees in smuggling cases.

Regarding illegal trade, the annual report states that in October 2025, AstraZeneca China received the final assessment opinion from Shenzhen Customs, indicating that the total unpaid import taxes amounted to 24 million RMB (about $3.5 million USD). The involved drugs include Durvalumab (brand name: Imfinzi), Tislelizumab (brand name: Imjudo), and Trastuzumab deruxtecan (brand name: Enhertu).

AstraZeneca stated that it voluntarily paid the full amount of the assessed taxes. However, if AstraZeneca China is found responsible for illegal trade, it could be fined between one and five times the amount of the paid import taxes.

Regarding the suspected infringement of citizens’ personal information, AstraZeneca China received a “Notice of Case Transfer for Review and Prosecution” from the Bao’an Branch of Shenzhen Public Security Bureau. However, it is reported that AstraZeneca China was not accused of profiting from illegally collecting personal information.

Additionally, AstraZeneca China has not been prosecuted for insurance fraud.

Zhang Wenbo, senior partner at Beijing Jundu Shanghai Law Firm and head of the Life Sciences and Healthcare Legal Department, told Times Finance that this case involves a multinational pharmaceutical company, multiple charges, and extensive evidence, making it a complex and significant case. The trial process is expected to be lengthy. He noted that if evidence collection is complicated, involves cross-regional investigations, or requires supplementary inquiries, the trial period could be extended, potentially lasting 6 to 9 months or longer.

“The series of controversies surrounding this case may lead to global scrutiny of AstraZeneca’s compliance system in China. It could also prompt the company to overhaul its compliance framework in China, strengthen oversight of sales and data management, and possibly impact its innovative drug development and market expansion plans in China, even leading to adjustments in its global strategy,” Zhang said.

AstraZeneca to Invest 100 Billion RMB in China

Following Wang Lei’s investigation, AstraZeneca quickly initiated organizational and personnel adjustments in China, distancing itself from Wang Lei.

On December 4, 2024, AstraZeneca appointed Iskra Reic as Global Executive Vice President and Head of International Business, overseeing markets including China, Asia, Eurasia, the Middle East and Africa, Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand.

Amidst these upheavals, AstraZeneca has accelerated its investment in China.

In October 2025, AstraZeneca officially launched its new global strategic R&D center in Beijing. This is its second strategic R&D center in China and a key project from its approximately 18 billion RMB (about $2.5 billion USD) investment in China announced in March 2025.

Over the past few years, AstraZeneca has continuously expanded its presence in China, including building global strategic R&D centers, upgrading manufacturing bases in Wuxi, Taizhou, Qingdao, and Beijing, and announcing plans for new production facilities. The company’s workforce in China is expected to exceed 20,000 employees, accounting for about 20% of AstraZeneca’s total global staff.

On January 29, 2024, AstraZeneca announced plans to invest over 100 billion RMB (about $15 billion USD) in China by 2030 to expand its pharmaceutical manufacturing and R&D footprint. AstraZeneca’s global CEO, José Baselga, stated that this investment would mark a new chapter in AstraZeneca’s development in China.

Additionally, AstraZeneca has been actively acquiring innovative drugs in China. Over the past year, it has partnered with Chinese pharmaceutical companies such as Xibiman Biotech, CSPC Pharmaceutical Group (01093.HK), Polymed Therapeutics (02142.HK), GSK (01167.HK), and Yuan Si Shengtai.

According to the latest financial report, AstraZeneca’s revenue in China continues to grow. In 2025, AstraZeneca’s total global revenue reached $58.739 billion, an 8% increase year-over-year, with product sales accounting for $58.64 billion, a 10% increase. Revenue from the Chinese market was $6.654 billion, up 4%, representing about 11% of total revenue. Industry media Medicinal Magic reports that based on disclosed financials, AstraZeneca has once again become the leading multinational pharmaceutical company in China.