AstraZeneca confirms staff detention in China amid drug-import probe reports.

• On Thursday, AstraZeneca confirmed that some of its employees were detained by Chinese police during an investigation.
• An AstraZeneca spokesperson informed CNBC via email that a small number of their employees in China are being investigated and they have no additional information to disclose at present.
• Earlier Thursday, reports indicated that individuals were being investigated for potential data breaches and illegal drug imports. The confirmation was later received.

The British pharmaceutical giant confirmed on Thursday that some of its employees were detained by Chinese police during an investigation.

An AstraZeneca spokesperson informed CNBC via email that a small number of their employees in China are being investigated, but they have no additional information to share at this time.

Reports from Bloomberg News earlier Thursday confirmed that five current and former employees, all Chinese citizens, were being investigated within the oncology division of the company.

A probe is being conducted into the company's collection of patient data and the possibility of violating China's data-privacy laws, as well as the role of some individuals in importing an unapproved liver cancer drug into mainland China, according to Bloomberg, citing sources.

AstraZeneca's shares dropped by 6.8% in early trades but later recovered, leaving them down 2.2% at 12:18 p.m. London time.

The investigation is being conducted by police in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, but a spokesperson for the Shenzhen police force was not immediately contactable by CNBC.

The British drugmaker, known for producing a leading Covid-19 vaccine, has a significant presence in China and frequently highlights the market's growth prospects.