Officials at Pfizer say the company will invest approximately $350 million in the development of a global biotechnology center during a groundbreaking ceremony in the Hangzhou Economic Development Area (HEDA) in China. The facility, which will be Pfizer’s third biotechnology center globally and the first in Asia, will produce biosimilars for distribution not only in China but throughout the rest of the world.
The center, which will include an advanced modular facility by GE Healthcare based on single-use biomanufacturing technology (KuBioTM), is expected to be completed in 2018.
“We believe that the Pfizer global biotechnology center in Hangzhou will help support China’s aim to increase the complexity and value of its manufacturing sector by 2025, and contribute to building a truly innovative and vibrant biopharmaceutical industry,” said John Young, Group president, Pfizer Essential Health. “We are encouraged by a series of important reforms introduced by Chinese government that will further stimulate the industry to meet emerging health challenges, such as the rising incidence of noncommunicable diseases and an aging population, as well as attract both domestic and foreign investment in healthcare and R&D.”
The center aims to support China’s healthcare reforms, assist the Chinese government in its continuing efforts to update the local industry in this sector, and provide biological medicines for patients in China and the world, according to Young. The facility will house Pfizer China’s biosimilars and biologics quality, technical service, logistics, and engineering divisions, in addition to commercial manufacturing, and will also serve as a process development and clinical supply site.
