Boehringer Ingelheim launches innovation hub in Shanghai

German pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim announced on Thursday the launch of the External Innovation Hub China in Shanghai as part of its efforts to better leverage partnerships in research and development.

In the next five years, the company will invest 451 million euros (US$507.9 million) in China to fuel clinical research, production site expansions and other research partnerships.

“Boehringer Ingelheim will continue to increase investment in China, including setting up the External Innovation Hub, which will become one of Boehringer Ingelheim’s strategic pillars,” said Felix Gutsche, president and CEO of Boehringer Ingelheim China.

The company is expected to have 71 new products or new indications approved in China by 2030.

"The COVID-19 situation has highlighted the importance of digital services, and our latest digital initiative hopes to integrate all the methodology and technology with real business needs," he said in an interview with Shanghai Daily.

"China is the first market to see business rebound after the coronavirus outbreak, and we've seen improvement in the second-quarter business performance," he added.

China is now included in all of the company's ongoing global early-stage clinical trials which could shorten the time gap between new drug launches between China and other developed markets.

The new innovation hub will bring existing divisions and units such as the "Research Beyond Borders" initiative, Business Development & Licensing and Venture Fund under one roof and is set to embed innovation in China into the company's drug discovery value chain.

"Boehringer Ingelheim aims to seize the opportunity to become the preferred partner in the innovation ecosystem in China’s biopharma industry,” added Weiyi Zhang, head of Boehringer Ingelheim External Innovation Hub China.

Dong Jun / SHINE