Boehringer Ingelheim pioneers biopharmaceuticals move to China

Boehringer Ingelheim has signed with Zhangjiang Biotech & Pharmaceutical Base Development Company in Pudong, Shanghai a strategic alliance agreement and contract to build a cGMP biopharmaceuticals facility. The new site will provide full range of development and clinical services to Chinese and multi-national customers. It will become the first facility established by a leading international biopharmaceuticals manufacturer in China utilizing mammalian cell culture technology.

The facility set up will include technical process development and cGMP manufacturing which will be ready for operations early 2016. Boehringer Ingelheim plans an investment of over 35 million EUR. The project will create up to 65 job opportunities with high qualification standards.

“Our partnership with ZJ Base Company is an important step in our global China strategy as it opens a further opportunity for Boehringer Ingelheim to participate in the growing demand for high quality biopharmaceuticals in China”, stated Christian Boehringer, Chairman of the Shareholders Committee.”Shanghai is our ideal partner with its advantages in investment environment, service system and talent resources.”

Lanzhong Wang, General Manager of the ZJ Base Company commented: “We are very pleased to start the partnership with a leading biopharmaceuticals company like Boehringer Ingelheim. Through the cooperation, we hope to bring here the know-how, technology and experience, all up to international standards. With a number of innovative medicines being developed by a cluster of middle to small-sized innovative companies in Zhangjiang, plus the government support, we plan to initiate the CMO manufacturing framework at this plant on a trial basis. This will provide an effective platform for middle and small-sized companies to industrialize their innovations. Thus, it will greatly prompt the development of China’s biopharmaceuticals manufacturing industry.”

Hubertus von Baumbach, member of the Board of Managing Directors, in charge of Finance, commented: “Since 1994 Boehringer Ingelheim is present in China and has established significant research, development, manufacturing and marketing activities. With our investments in these innovation-driven areas we strive to meet the needs of our customers. The move to invest in biopharmaceuticals is in line with China’s overall growth plan for the next five years. Biopharmaceuticals, together with prescription medicines, consumer health care, animal health and manufacturing, will form the five pillars driving our business in China.”