Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche has announced a CNY2.04bn ($283m) investment in building a new biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Shanghai’s Pudong New Area.
The new biologics manufacturing facility will be built in Zhangjiang High-tech Park, as part of Roche’s strategy to enhance its localisation efforts in the Chinese market.
The 35,300m2 facility will focus on producing Vabysmo, a bispecific antibody used in treating eye diseases, to meet the increasing demand for innovative medicines in China.
Its construction will be completed in 2029, with operations expected to begin in 2031.
Roche said that the investment will strengthen its pharmaceutical value chain in China by improving its supply chain and local manufacturing capabilities.
Roche Pharma China CEO Vivian Bian said: “Our commitment to China remains unchanged, not only today but also for the years to come, and this new site marks a significant milestone in our journey.
“It also represents a breakthrough in advancing the production of more innovative medicines here in one of our key markets worldwide.
“Looking ahead, Roche will continue to explore opportunities to localize the production of more innovative medicines, supporting the sustainable development of China’s biopharmaceutical industry.”
Roche plans to further explore opportunities to localise the production of more innovative medicines, contributing to the sustainable growth of China’s biopharmaceutical industry.
The investment underscores China’s growing appeal as a strategic hub for global pharmaceutical manufacturing and innovation.
Other pharmaceutical companies are also expanding in China, reflecting confidence in the country’s evolving healthcare market and its integral role in the global supply chain.
In March, British pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca signed a $2.5bn agreement to invest in Beijing over the next five years.
AstraZeneca’s agreement includes establishing a global strategic R&D centre in Beijing, its sixth worldwide and second in China after one in Shanghai.
In addition, US-based pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly launched Lilly Gateway Labs in Beijing in March, which is its first shared lab platform outside the US.
Eli Lilly and Company chairman and CEO David Ricks said: “China’s biopharmaceutical innovation is accelerating at an unprecedented pace.
“China’s biotechnology sector thrives on a dual engine, Beijing’s constellation of famous medical universities training great minds and biotechnology, coupled with an environment that’s cultivating new company formation.”
