Core Viewpoint - AstraZeneca has announced a complete withdrawal from the CNS (Central Nervous System) field, terminating multiple pipeline projects, marking a significant strategic decision following its $80 billion revenue target announcement [1][2]. Group 1: AstraZeneca's Strategic Decision - The decision to exit the CNS field reflects the high difficulty of product development in this area and the pressure to achieve short-term KPIs, leading the company to focus on more certain high-revenue products like weight loss drugs and ADCs [2][4]. - The withdrawal indicates a significant loss of research investment and time, as the CNS field has seen mixed results in recent years, with other major companies like Amgen, Pfizer, and Sanofi also abandoning CNS projects [2][8]. Group 2: CNS Market Overview - The CNS market is considered the third-largest disease market, with a strong necessity for drug control and long medication cycles for conditions such as depression, schizophrenia, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's [2][3]. - Despite recent setbacks, there have been notable breakthroughs in the CNS field, including advancements in Alzheimer's treatments and new mechanisms for schizophrenia drugs, indicating potential for future growth [7][12]. Group 3: Challenges in CNS Drug Development - CNS drug development faces significant challenges, including limited understanding of brain mechanisms, the blood-brain barrier, and subjective symptom assessment, leading to lower approval rates compared to non-CNS drugs [4][5]. - The slow iteration of drugs in the CNS field means that any successful product can enjoy a longer lifecycle with less competition, which has allowed smaller companies to establish themselves [5][12]. Group 4: Domestic CNS Players - The domestic CNS drug market in China is projected to grow from approximately $16.9 billion in 2022 to $31.1 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 8%, outpacing global growth [12][13]. - Local companies are increasingly focusing on innovative CNS drugs, with several firms transitioning from generics to original drug development, leveraging improved research infrastructure and market demand [13][14].