<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-23-129281.txt : 20231226
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-23-129281.hdr.sgml : 20231226
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20231226172552
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-23-129281
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	6-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20231226
FILED AS OF DATE:		20231226
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20231226

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ASTRAZENECA PLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000901832
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		ORGANIZATION NAME:           	03 Life Sciences
		IRS NUMBER:				000000000
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			X0
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		6-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11960
		FILM NUMBER:		231514181

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1 FRANCIS CRICK AVENUE
		STREET 2:		CAMBRIDGE BIOMEDICAL CAMPUS
		CITY:			CAMBRIDGE
		STATE:			X0
		ZIP:			CB2 0AA
		BUSINESS PHONE:		011 44 20 7304 5000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1 FRANCIS CRICK AVENUE
		STREET 2:		CAMBRIDGE BIOMEDICAL CAMPUS
		CITY:			CAMBRIDGE
		STATE:			X0
		ZIP:			CB2 0AA

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ZENECA GROUP PLC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19930422
</SEC-HEADER>
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<FILENAME>tm2332933d9_6k.htm
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 6-K
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<P STYLE="margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>FORM&nbsp;6-K</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION <B><BR>
</B>Washington, D.C. 20549</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">Report of Foreign Issuer</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">Pursuant to Rule&nbsp;13a-16 or 15d-16 of<BR>
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">For December&nbsp;2023</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">Commission File Number: 001-11960</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>AstraZeneca PLC</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">1 Francis Crick Avenue<BR>
Cambridge Biomedical Campus<BR>
Cambridge CB2 0AA<BR>
United Kingdom</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
files or will file annual reports under cover of Form&nbsp;20-F or Form&nbsp;40-F:<BR> Form&nbsp;20-F <FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#120;</FONT>
Form&nbsp;40-F <FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#168;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">Indicate by check mark if the registrant is
submitting the Form&nbsp;6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule&nbsp;101(b)(1): <FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#168;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">Indicate by check mark if the registrant is
submitting the Form&nbsp;6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule&nbsp;101(b)(7): <FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#168;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form&nbsp;is also thereby furnishing the
information to the Commission pursuant to Rule&nbsp;12g3-2(b)&nbsp;under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">Yes <FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#168;</FONT>
No <FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#120;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">If &ldquo;Yes&rdquo; is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the Registrant in connection with Rule&nbsp;12g3-2(b): 82-
__________</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>AstraZeneca PLC</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">INDEX TO EXHIBITS</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<I>AstraZeneca
to acquire Gracell</I></B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">PUBLISHED<BR>
26 December&nbsp;2023</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>AstraZeneca to acquire Gracell, furthering cell
therapy ambition across oncology and autoimmune diseases</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B><I>Includes clinical-stage autologous BCMA/CD19
CAR-T therapy targeting haematologic malignancies and autoimmune diseases, and proprietary cell therapy manufacturing platform</I></B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">AstraZeneca has entered into a definitive agreement
to acquire Gracell Biotechnologies Inc. (Gracell, NASDAQ: GRCL), a global clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative
cell therapies for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases, furthering the AstraZeneca cell therapy ambition.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">The proposed acquisition will enrich AstraZeneca&rsquo;s
growing pipeline of cell therapies with GC012F, a novel, clinical-stage FasTCAR-enabled BCMA and CD19 dual-targeting autologous chimeric
antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy, a potential new treatment for multiple myeloma, as well as other haematologic malignancies and
autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">Autologous CAR-T is a type of cell therapy created
by reprogramming a patient&rsquo;s immune T cells to target disease-causing cells, and the manufacturing process for this type of treatment
is complex and time-consuming. The Gracell FasTCAR platform significantly shortens manufacturing time, enhances T cell fitness, and will
potentially improve the effectiveness of autologous CAR-T treatment in patients. Future applications of this technology may also include
rare diseases.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology
R&amp;D, AstraZeneca, said: &ldquo;The proposed acquisition of Gracell will complement AstraZeneca&rsquo;s existing capabilities and previous
investments in cell therapy, where we have established our presence in CAR-T and T-cell receptor therapies (TCR-Ts) in solid tumours.
GC012F will accelerate our cell therapy strategy in haematology, with the opportunity to bring a potential best-in-class treatment to
patients living with blood cancers using a differentiated manufacturing process, as well as exploring the potential for cell therapy to
reset the immune response in autoimmune diseases.&rdquo;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">Dr.&nbsp;William Cao, founder, Chairman and CEO,
Gracell, said: &ldquo;We look forward to working with AstraZeneca to accelerate our shared goal of bringing transformative cell therapies
to more patients living with debilitating diseases. By combining our expertise and resources, we can unlock new ways to harness the Gracell
FasTCAR manufacturing platform, which we believe has the potential to optimise the therapeutic profile of engineered T cells, to pioneer
the next generation of autologous cell therapies.&rdquo;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">Gracell will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary
of AstraZeneca, with operations in China and the US.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"><B>Financial considerations</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">Under the terms of the definitive agreement, AstraZeneca
will acquire all of Gracell&rsquo;s fully diluted share capital (including shares represented by ADSs) through a merger for a price of
$2.00 per ordinary share in cash at closing (equivalent to $10.00 per ADS of Gracell) plus a non-tradable contingent value right of $0.30
per ordinary share (equivalent to $1.50 per ADS of Gracell) in cash payable upon achievement of a specified regulatory milestone.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">The upfront cash portion of the consideration
represents a transaction value of approximately $1.0bn, a 62% premium to Gracell&rsquo;s closing market price on 22<SUP>nd</SUP> December&nbsp;2023
and a 154% premium to the 60-day volume-weighted average price (VWAP) of $3.94 before this announcement. Combined, the upfront and potential
contingent value payments represent, if achieved, a transaction value of approximately $1.2bn, an 86% premium to Gracell's closing market
price on 22<SUP>nd</SUP> December&nbsp;2023 and a 192% premium to the 60-day VWAP. As part of the transaction, AstraZeneca will acquire
the cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments on Gracell&rsquo;s balance sheet, which totalled $234.1m as of 30th September&nbsp;2023.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">The transaction is expected to close in the first
quarter of 2024, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory clearances, and Gracell shareholder approval. The transaction
does not impact AstraZeneca&rsquo;s financial guidance for 2023.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"><B><U>Notes</U></B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"><B>About GC012F</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">GC012F is Gracell&rsquo;s FasTCAR-enabled BCMA/CD19
dual-targeting autologous CAR-T cell therapy, which aims to transform cancer and autoimmune disease treatment by seeking to drive deep
and durable responses with an improved safety profile. GC012F is currently being evaluated in clinical studies in multiple haematologic
malignancies and autoimmune diseases. Gracell has initiated a Phase Ib/II trial evaluating GC012F for the treatment of relapsed or refractory
multiple myeloma in the US.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"><B>AstraZeneca in haematology</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">AstraZeneca is pushing the boundaries of science
to redefine care in haematology. We have expanded our commitment to patients with haematologic conditions, not only in oncology but also
in rare diseases with the acquisition of Alexion, allowing us to reach more patients with high unmet needs. By applying our deep understanding
of blood cancers, leveraging our strength in solid tumour oncology and delivering on Alexion&rsquo;s pioneering legacy in complement science
to provide innovative medicines for rare diseases, we are pursuing the end-to-end development of novel therapies designed to target underlying
drivers of disease.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">By targeting haematologic conditions with high
unmet medical needs, we aim to deliver innovative medicines and approaches to improve patient outcomes. Our goal is to help transform
the lives of patients living with malignant, rare and other related haematologic diseases, shaped by insights from patients, caregivers
and physicians to have the most meaningful impact.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt"><B>AstraZeneca
in </B></FONT><B><U>oncology</U></B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">AstraZeneca is leading a revolution in oncology
with the ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form, following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover,
develop and deliver life-changing medicines to patients.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">The Company's focus is on some of the most challenging
cancers. It is through persistent innovation that AstraZeneca has built one of the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry,
with the potential to catalyse changes in the practice of medicine and transform the patient experience.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer
care and, one day, eliminate cancer as a cause of death.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt"><B>AstraZeneca
in </B></FONT><B>BioPharmaceuticals: Respiratory and Immunology</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Respiratory&nbsp;&amp; Immunology, part of AstraZeneca BioPharmaceuticals,
is a key disease area and growth driver to the Company.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">AstraZeneca is an established leader in respiratory
care with a 50-year heritage and a growing portfolio of medicines in immune-mediated diseases. The Company is committed to addressing
the vast unmet needs of these chronic, often debilitating, diseases with a pipeline and portfolio of inhaled medicines, biologics and
new modalities aimed at previously unreachable biologic targets. Our ambition is to deliver life-changing medicines that help eliminate
COPD as a leading cause of death, eliminate asthma attacks and achieve clinical remission in immune-mediated diseases.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">With common pathways and underlying disease drivers
across respiratory and immunology, AstraZeneca is following the science from chronic lung diseases to immunology-driven disease areas.
The Company&rsquo;s growing presence in immunology is focused on five mid- to late-stage franchises with multi-disease potential, in areas
including rheumatology (including SLE), dermatology, gastroenterology, and systemic eosinophilic-driven diseases. AstraZeneca&rsquo;s
ambition in Respiratory&nbsp;&amp; Immunology is to achieve disease modification and durable remission for millions of patients worldwide.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"><B>Additional Information and Where to Find It</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">In connection with the proposed transaction, Gracell
intends to file or furnish relevant materials with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &ldquo;SEC&rdquo;), including a proxy statement.
Promptly after the proxy statement is filed or furnished with the SEC, the Company will mail or otherwise provide the proxy statement
and a proxy card to each of its shareholders entitled to vote at the extraordinary general meeting relating to the proposed transaction.
This communication is not a substitute for the proxy statement or any other document that Gracell may file or furnish with the SEC or
send to its shareholders in connection with the proposed transaction. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING DECISION, SHAREHOLDERS OF Gracell ARE URGED
TO READ THESE MATERIALS (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED
TRANSACTION THAT Gracell WILL FILE OR FURNISHED WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION
ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND THE PARTIES TO THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. The proxy statement and other relevant materials in connection
with the proposed transaction (when they become available), and any other documents filed or furnished with the SEC by the Company, may
be obtained free of charge at the SEC&rsquo;s website at www.sec.gov or at Gracell&rsquo;s website at www.gracellbio.com.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"><B>Participants in the Solicitation</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">This announcement is neither a solicitation of
proxy, an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities and it is not a substitute for any proxy statement or
other filings that may be made with the SEC should the transaction proceed. AstraZeneca, Gracell and certain of their respective directors,
executive officers and other members of management and employees may, under SEC rules, be deemed to be &ldquo;participants&rdquo; in the
solicitation of proxies from the Gracell&lsquo;s shareholders with respect to the proposed transaction. Information regarding the persons
who may be considered &ldquo;participants&rdquo; in the solicitation of proxies will be set forth in the proxy statement relating to the
transaction when it is filed or furnished with the SEC. Additional information regarding the interests of such potential participants
will be included in the proxy statement and the other relevant documents filed or furnished with the SEC when they become available.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"><B>Forward-looking statements</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">This announcement may include statements that
are not statements of historical fact, or &ldquo;forward-looking statements,&rdquo; including with respect to AstraZeneca&rsquo;s proposed
acquisition of Gracell. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the ability of AstraZeneca and Gracell to complete
the transactions contemplated by the acquisition agreement, including the parties&rsquo; ability to satisfy the conditions set forth in
the merger agreement, statements about the expected timetable for completing the transaction, AstraZeneca&rsquo;s and Gracell&rsquo;s
beliefs and expectations and statements about the benefits sought to be achieved in AstraZeneca&rsquo;s proposed acquisition of Gracell,
the potential effects of the acquisition on both AstraZeneca and Gracell, the possibility of any termination of the merger agreement,
as well as the expected benefits and success of [GC012F and any combination product]. These statements are based upon the current beliefs
and expectations of AstraZeneca&rsquo;s and Gracell&rsquo;s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. There can
be no guarantees that the conditions to the closing of the proposed transaction will be satisfied on the expected timetable or at all
or that [GC012F will receive the necessary regulatory approvals or prove to be commercially successful if approved]. If underlying assumptions
prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialise, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking
statements. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, uncertainties as to the timing of the merger; uncertainties as to
how many of Gracell&rsquo;s shareholders will vote in favour of the merger; the possibility that various conditions to the consummation
of the merger contemplated by the merger agreement may not be satisfied or waived; the ability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals
or to obtain them on acceptable terms or within expected timing; the effects of disruption from the transactions contemplated by the merger
agreement and the impact of the announcement and pendency of the transactions on Gracell&rsquo;s business; the risk that shareholder litigation
in connection with the offer or the merger may result in significant costs of defence, indemnification and liability; the possibility
that the achievement of the specified milestone described in the contingent value rights agreement may take longer to achieve than expected
or may never be achieved and the resulting contingent milestone payment may never be realised; general industry conditions and competition;
general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of COVID-19; the impact of pharmaceutical
industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; competition from other products; and challenges
inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval.</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">Neither AstraZeneca nor Gracell undertakes any
obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except
to the extent required by law. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking
statements can be found in AstraZeneca&rsquo;s Annual Report on Form&nbsp;20-F for the year ended 31 December&nbsp;2022 and Gracell&rsquo;s
Annual Report on Form&nbsp;20-F for the year ended 31 December&nbsp;2022, in each case as amended by any subsequent filings made with
the SEC. These and other filings made by AstraZeneca and Gracell with the SEC are available at www.sec.gov.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"><B><U>AstraZeneca</U></B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">AstraZeneca
(LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation
of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal&nbsp;&amp; Metabolism,
and Respiratory&nbsp;&amp; Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines
are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit&nbsp;<U>astrazeneca.com</U></FONT>&nbsp;and follow the Company on social media&nbsp;<U>@AstraZeneca</U></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"><B>Contacts</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">For
details on how to contact the Investor Relations Team, please click <U>here</U></FONT>. For Media contacts, click <U>here</U>.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>



<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>Adrian Kemp<BR>
Company Secretary<BR>
AstraZeneca PLC</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>SIGNATURE</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="text-align: justify; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">Date: December&nbsp;26, 2023</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">ASTRAZENECA PLC</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD STYLE="width: 50%"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 3%"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">By:</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 47%"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">/s/
Adrian Kemp</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Name: Adrian Kemp</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Title: Company Secretary</FONT></TD></TR>
  </TABLE>


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