Astrazeneca PLC Sponsored ADR (AZN.US) plans to list in the United States while retaining its headquarters in the United Kingdom.

AstraZeneca PLC Sponsored ADR plans to list its stock on the New York Stock Exchange, in order to attract more investors, but will continue to retain its stock trading business and headquarters in London. The company stated in a statement released on Monday that the stock listing in the United States will replace its existing American Depository Receipts. CEO Pascal Soriot has long been dissatisfied with the regulatory system in the UK, and is concerned that the UK is falling behind the US and China in terms of competitiveness. Pharmaceutical companies are increasingly disappointed with the measures taken by the UK government to promote the development of the domestic life sciences industry, with objections raised in multiple areas ranging from the number of clinical trials to new drug reimbursement policies. Soriot's attitude is particularly outspoken, as he has opposed the UK's refusal to extend the use of AstraZeneca PLC Sponsored ADR's breast cancer drug Enhertu to a wider patient population. The breakdown of price negotiations for this cancer drug also reflects wider disputes over regulatory adjustments to new drug value assessment standards. Market speculation in July suggested that the pharmaceutical company might move its listing location to the US, and now AstraZeneca PLC Sponsored ADR has officially released the above statement. The US has the highest global liquidity in public markets and is home to the largest number of innovative biopharmaceutical companies and investors, with AstraZeneca PLC Sponsored ADR expressing interest in entering this market. In mid-September, Swedish commercial bank Handelsbanken downgraded its rating on AstraZeneca PLC Sponsored ADR from "buy" to "hold," citing concerns that the company's goal of achieving $80 billion in total revenue by 2030 is overly optimistic. Previously, reports indicated that the company had suspended significant investments in its local market. The UK's largest listed company has become the latest pharmaceutical company to scale back its operations in the country. A company spokesperson stated last Friday that they have suspended a 200 million (approximately $272.12 million) investment plan in their research center in Cambridge, which is a blow to the UK government.