China Continues to Attract Investment in Pharmaceuticals Sector

The trend of medium-sized foreign pharmaceutical companies investing in China, in addition to the world's drug majors, has been typified by recent announcements from Denmark's Novo Nordisk, Genencor of the US and Dutch company DSM.

The Danish insulin provider plans to build its second manufacturing unit in China, to be sited in Tianjin. Meanwhile, US biotech company Genencor has also announced expansion plans in building a new 20-acre enzymes manufacturing plant in Wuxi. Furthermore, leading state-owned drug producer North China Pharmaceuticals Company has launched a penicillin joint venture with Dutch vitamins and antibiotics manufacturer DSM.

Elsewhere, Swiss major Roche has just opened its new research centre in Shanghai, while fellow Swiss manufacturer Novartis is committed to expanding its local research and manufacturing capabilities.