Leon Wang: Let China be China. The next phase in AZ’s China R&D strategy

Leon Wang believes that AstraZeneca has a chance to succeed at R&D in China because its global headquarters has learned to loosen the reins on its satellite premises. A multinational asking locals to carry out experiments at the behest of distant executives, giving the scientists no ownership or chance to call the shots, is not a recipe for success. Flipping that equation is, according to Wang.

Wang is EVP, international region and China president of AstraZeneca plc (LSE:AZN; NYSE:AZN). On Nov. 6, the pharma announced the latest stage in its China strategy--the creation of two new centers, one for R&D and one for AI, that will be based in Shanghai...