German pharma giant plans major developments in China

German pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim recently unveiled its new development blueprint for China, which maps out its strategy to bolster its innovative strength there, as well as promote its digitization and high-quality development.

Boehringer Ingelheim Greater China president and CEO Pavol Dobrocky, said that for the group the only way was up in China.

"Boehringer Ingelheim is confident about the future of its business in China and will continue to deepen its efforts in the Chinese market," he said.

Dobrocky added that the group planned to invest more than 90 million euros ($98.22 million) in China to expand production facilities and upgrade its technologies.

Boehringer Ingelheim says it is the first and only multinational pharmaceutical company in China to participate in global early-stage clinical research. It unveiled the "China Key" development strategy in 2019, which committed it to providing Chinese patients with more innovative drugs and products and bringing the needs of Chinese patients into its global research and development strategy.

In the wake of the China Key development strategy, Spevigo - a drug developed by Boehringer Ingelheim - was approved late last year, which is now used for the treatment generalized pustular psoriasis or GPP, a rare and severe skin disease.  

"As of February this year, Boehringer Ingelheim had cooperated with 19 top hospitals in China and 14 global early-stage clinical research projects on innovative drugs have been launched in China, mainly in areas including cancer, pulmonary fibrosis and immunity," said Zhang Wei, head of medicine at Boehringer Ingelheim in China.

In 2022, the company said it had achieved great results in the R&D of innovative drugs and a variety of new drugs and products were approved and went on sale on Chinese market.

Moving forwards, plans are that over the next five years more than 15 new animal health products will be approved for sale in China.

German pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim unveiles its new development blueprint for China. [Photo/WeChat account: pdnews]