ShangPharma, a leading outsourcing partner in pharmaceutical and biotechnology research and development based in China, signed a deal with Qidong Biopharma Industrial Zone to build a biologics manufacturing and pre-clinical research facility in the Qidong Biopharma Industrial Zone, China.

It will be the first tenant for the biopharma zone in Qidong.

ShangPharma comprises a family of companies, which include China Gateway Biologics, China Gateway Pharmaceutical Development, ChemPartner, ShangPharma Technology and ShangPharma Investment.

The company will invest $60m in the project through a new subsidiary that will be established to provide and develop cutting-edge science and technology aimed at expanding its biologics service portfolio.

China Gateway Biologics, the contract manufacturing wing of ShangPharma, will operate the manufacturing facility, while the pre-clinical research facility will be operated by ChemPartner, ShangPharma’s contract research wing.

The manufacturing and research facility is expected to be operational in early 2018. It aims to develop Qidong as China’s bio-technology hub and ShangPharma t grow as a distinguished outsourcing and biopharmaceutical service provider.

Location

The facility is being built in the Qidong Biopharma Industrial Zone in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province.

Financing

The project is being jointly financed by ShangPharma and the Qidong Biopharma Industrial Zone.

ShangPharma’s manufacturing and pre-clinical research plant details

The plant is aiming for high commercial-scale operations with an international focus and overall biopharmaceutical development of ShangPharma.

The facility will be equipped with a 500l single mammalian cell culture unit for clinical phase supply to be handled by ChemPartner and two 2,000l units for commercial manufacturing to be handled by China Gateway Biologics.

The clinical supply and manufacturing units will be complemented with fill and finish capabilities of an appropriate scale.

ShangPharma’s manufacturing and pre-clinical research plant portfolio

The investment is expected to grow China Gateway Biologics’ biopharmaceutical services by transforming it into a full biopharmaceutical service provider, from pre-clinical development to commercial-scale. ChemPartner will be able to expand its clinical research abilities through the investment.

The state-of-the-art plant will comply with Western standards in order to support and meet expectations of international clients.

Marketing commentary

ShangPharma has established extensive research and development (R&D) partnerships within the healthcare industry and with organisations.

ShangPharma provides customised services to international pharmaceutical, biotech, agrochemical, chemical, biology, biologics, and pre-clinical development.

It also provides high-quality, cost-effective, integrated services in drug discovery and development processes to help international and Chinese pharmaceutical companies efficiently discover and develop drugs.

China Gateway Biologics provides biologics manufacturing services for the biopharmaceutical industry for Chinese and international customers.

ChemPartner is a contract research organisation serving the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. It provides integrated services across drug discovery and development, including discovery biologics, chemistry and biology, as well as pre-clinical development.