AZ opens clinical pharmacology unit in China
pharmafile | September 6, 2007 | News story | Research and Development |Â Â China, emÂ
AstraZeneca has opened its first ever clinical pharmacology unit in China, providing support for more trials to be carried out in the fast-growing market.
The pharma company has teamed up with Peking University 3rd Hospital to open the unit, which it says will enhance local clinical research capabilities and speed up access to new medicines among Chinese patients.
The clinical pharmacology unit (CPU) will focus on phase I clinical research, including the clinical pharmacology and safety evaluations required for approval in China and elsewhere.
AstraZeneca will provide Peking University 3rd Hospital with personnel training, system audits and consulting services, and will also invest to upgrade facilities necessary for clinical research of medicines for infections, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
"The collaboration with Peking University 3rd Hospital is a great example of AstraZeneca's patient-orientated global strategy to strengthen our R&D pipeline for Chinese patients," said David Brennan, chief executive of AstraZeneca.
"The CPU is using a new and innovative operating model for partnership between AstraZeneca and a premier Chinese University hospital that will result in a faster, more efficient and flexible link between phase I studies and our phase II & III clinical research projects."
AstraZeneca saw its operations in China record a 25% sales increase in the first half of 2007, and is investing millions in new R&D facilities.
The company announced investments of $100 million in R&D last year, with plans for a major of R&D base, located in Shanghai's Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park already under way. The centre, named the AstraZeneca Innovation Centre China (ICC) will initially focus on cancer, a major cause of death in China. AstraZeneca also established a sourcing centre in Shanghai in January as part of the company's effort to strengthen global sourcing of active pharmaceutical ingredients.
Mr. Brennan added: "China plays an increasingly important role as an emerging market in AstraZeneca's global strategy. We will continue to implement our vision of being In China for China, with long-term planning and investment. We fully support China's national focus on innovation by substantially increasing our R&D investment, both in financial terms and in terms of scientific collaboration. We will ramp up development of innovative medicines for Chinese patients."
AstraZeneca China has its headquarters in Shanghai and has a remarkable 25 branch offices in major cities across China's mainland. The company already employs nearly 3,000 employees in manufacturing, sales, clinical research and new product development.
The manufacturing plant located in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, is AstraZeneca's biggest production base in Asia with an investment of $170 million. In May 2006, it announced investment of $100 million to establish its R&D base, the AstraZeneca Innovation Centre China (ICC) in Shanghai.
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