The company says its new harmonised listing structure will merely make it easier for those US funds that aren't allowed to own American depositary receipts (ADRs, a wrapper provided by a handful of banks for US investors) to get their hands on full-fat AstraZeneca stock. A global listing for global investors in a global company, as the cheerful corporate spin put it. But this definitely is not a moment to accentuate the positive.
AstraZeneca's $50bn investment aims to establish a new drug manufacturing facility in Virginia and expand research and development across various US states, highlighting a significant commitment to US operations in response to looming tariffs on foreign pharmaceuticals.
Sir Pascal Soriot has repeatedly highlighted the need for Europe to enhance its incentives for new medicines, warning that jobs could relocate to the US if these conditions remain unchanged.