ANGLO-SWEDISH pharmaceuticals giant AstraZeneca today agreed to buy US biotech company CinCor for US$1.8 billion (RM7.92 billion), expanding further into the field of heart and kidney drugs.  

The takeover marks the latest push by Astra chief executive Pascal Soriot to bolster the Covid vaccine maker’s pipeline of new products.  

Massachusetts-based CinCor focuses on developing treatments for hypertension and chronic kidney disease.  

Since taking the helm at AstraZeneca in 2012, Frenchman Soriot has expanded the company into lucrative cancer therapies.  

The group completed a blockbuster takeover of Alexion for US$39 billion in 2021, giving it more heft in areas such as treating blood disorders. – AFP, January 9, 2023.