German pharma giant opens Shanghai animal health research center
Boehringer Ingelheim said it has officially launched its US$22.7 million integrated animal health research and development center to strengthen its position in veterinary disease areas.
The 3,300 square meter facility in Zhangjiang Hi-tech Park hosts more than 140 researchers as the German pharma company steps up its integrated R&D efforts following the completion of a merger with French pharma giant Sanofi’s animal health business unit, Merial, last year.
The company aims to launch five innovative vaccine products targeting the China market over the next two years, and also has nearly 30 pipeline projects in the R&D stage.
“The inauguration of the new integrated Asian Veterinary R&D Center is a new milestone for Boehringer Ingelheim in China. It further strengthens our ability to provide services along the full value chain for Chinese customers, and highlights our commitment to continuously investing in China,” said Joachim Hasenmaier, Member of the Board of Managing Directors and Head of the Animal Health Business Unit at Boehringer Ingelheim.
Boehringer Ingelheim’s 16 million euro (US$19 million) veterinary trial center in Taizhou, which is also part of the expanded Asian veterinary R&D center, was also put into use. The 8,000-square-meter center is used for conducting animal trials during veterinary R&D.
“As one of the company’s three global R&D centers, in addition to two others in Europe and North America, we will leverage our consolidated world-leading R&D footprint to explore and develop innovative solutions especially aimed at preventing and controlling animal diseases in China and South East Asia,” added Yuan Shishan, head of Boehringer Ingelheim’s Asian Veterinary R&D Center.
