AstraZeneca to list shares in New York while keeping London listing

Andrew Joseph covers health, medicine, and the biopharma industry in Europe. You can reach Andrew on Signal at drewqjoseph.45.

LONDON — AstraZeneca on Monday said it planned to start listing its shares on the New York Stock Exchange while maintaining its London listing.

The company said the move would allow investors in its biggest market easier access to the company’s regular shares, but it will be seen as a blow to the U.K., which has witnessed a number of companies flee London listings and move them to New York. 

It also comes as pharma companies continue to criticize the U.K. over its drug pricing policies and as a poor commercial environment for drugmakers. AstraZeneca in particular has pulled some of its investments in the U.K. and sparred with health officials over pricing and access tied to its breast cancer drug Enhertu.