Pfizer commences work on global biotechnology centre in China

Pfizer has announced plans to spend $350 million (261.55 million pounds) on the development of a state-of-the-art global biotechnology centre in Hangzhou, China.

A ground-breaking ceremony has taken place at the Hangzhou Economic Development Area site as construction work commences on the facility, which will be Pfizer's third biotechnology centre globally and the first in Asia.

The establishment of the site will facilitate the local production of high-quality, affordable biosimilar medicines for patients in China and internationally, with the centre expected to be completed by 2018.

It will include an advanced modular facility by GE Healthcare, based on flexible single-use biomanufacturing technology designed to meet strict international standards for quality, safety and efficiency, as well as accelerated speed of construction and superior environmental standards.

The centre is expected to create more than 150 job opportunities and establish local biotechnology expertise in the region, thus bolstering China’s biopharmaceutical industry and economy.

Tony Maddaluna, president of Pfizer Global Supply, said: "The local production of high-quality, affordable biosimilar medicines will have the potential to significantly improve the lives of patients not only in China, but across the world."