Nycomed expands China presence with Techpool stake
pharmafile | November 2, 2010 | News story | Research and Development, Sales and Marketing | China, Guangdong Techpool biopharma, Nycomed, emerging markets, emerging pharma markets
Swiss-based Nycomed has acquired a majority stake in Guangdong Techpool biopharma in China, extending its presence in the top tier emerging market.
Techpool, founded in 1993, specialises in the research, development, manufacturing and marketing of biologic drugs derived from natural sources.
Nycomed said in a statement that there is “significant potential for the continued strong growth of Techpool’s key products through expanded hospital and reimbursement coverage in China”, and it aims to drive that growth.
The company’s products are sold across China and exported to a number of countries and regions, including Japan and South Korea.
It has also built a strong intellectual property position, with 35 patents filed, of which 17 have already been granted, including one US patent approval.
Håkan Björklund, chief executive of Nycomed, said: “The acquisition of the majority stake in Techpool provides us with a unique opportunity to strengthen our business in China, one of the world’s fastest-growing pharmaceutical markets.
“Techpool’s specialty franchise is highly complementary to Nycomed’s development strategy and will become a cornerstone of our international expansion in emerging markets.”
Björklund added that the company’s capabilities were developed under the leadership of a “formidable management team”, headed by the founder and chief executive Dr Fu.
“This team will play a pivotal role for Nycomed’s future expansion in China and the strong support of Techpool’s existing shareholders, in particular Shanghai Pharmaceutical, makes us even more optimistic about our prospects in this exciting market,” Björklund said.
Shanghai Pharmaceutical Group, a leading Chinese pharmaceutical conglomerate, holds 40.8% of the shares of Techpool and has previously been the majority shareholder.
Liew Yew Looi, senior VP for Nycomed North Asia, said: “The partnership with Techpool will significantly accelerate our aim of becoming a leading player in the North Asian market including China.
“My team at Nycomed and I look forward to working closely with Dr Fu and his organisation to achieve this goal.”
The Guangdong province in north-eastern China is the country’s most prosperous area and its leading industrial sector after Shangahai.
Techpool has developed and launched a number of innovative protein drugs, including Ulinastatin, a broad-acting trypsin inhibitor, which is a leading compound in the treatment of sepsis and multiple organ dysfunctions.
Kallikrein, a serine protease, is used as a neuroprotective agent in the treatment of stroke.
Analysts at IMS Health predict pharma sales in China, now the world’s third largest market, will increase by over a quarter to more than $50 billion next year, making it attractive to traditional pharma.
Ben Adams
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