Strategic partnership in GBA China strengthens innovation capabilities in biopharma industry
Merck, a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science and performance materials signed and MOU this month ( March 2021) with Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Holdings Limited (GPHL),one of the largest pharmaceutical company in China. The collaboration aims to explore areas including new business model innovation, pipeline innovation and market expansion, drawing on the unique development opportunities for the biopharma industry in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
The GBA continues to play a pioneering role in the development of China’s biopharma industry. The region has a noticeable advantage in industrial agglomeration and a complete upstream and downstream industry chain. It is particularly well-regarded when it comes to the R&D, production and distribution of chemical medicine.
GPHL, has occupied the No.1 position on the Top 100 list of Chinese pharmaceutical companies for the last nine consecutive years. The company is well-established in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), with international headquarters in Macau. GPHL has established multi-level partnerships throughout the region, including with Hong Kong University, University of Macau, Macau University of Science and Technology and Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Industrial Park of Co-operation between Guangdong and Macao (GMTCM Park), so as to further promote the integration of its medical and health industry and establish a benchmark for its future development.
Founded in 1668, Merck is the world’s oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company. In recent years, Merck has attached great importance to its partnerships in the GBA. On November 15, 2019, Merck officially launched its Guangdong Innovation Hub, focused on bringing solutions to market covering healthcare, life sciences, performance materials and other emerging scientific and technological areas. During the 3rd China International Import Expo in 2020, the Merck China Innovation Centre released its GBA Innovation Ecosystem White Paper, investigating the potential for further planning, industrial integration, and innovation development in the region.
“GPHL has taken a strategic decision to partner with Merck in pharmaceutical R&D and distribution. This will provide crucial support to our future efforts not only in innovation but also sustainable development, and strengthen our ability to do business overseas,” said Li Chuyuan, the Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of GPHL. “Our aim is to soon become one of the world’s top 500 biopharma and health companies. To achieve this, we will continue to invest in advanced R&D aimed at creating high-level, innovative drugs and health products, while promoting high-quality industrial development for the further benefit of humankind.”
“As one of our most important strategic markets globally, China is a vital link in our global innovation chain,” said Stefan Oschmann, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Merck. “China has been demonstrating the tremendous innovative potential of its healthcare space in recent years. We look forward to joining hands with GPHL, a true leader in this field. Through our partnership, we want to strengthen the innovation capabilities of the healthcare industry in the Greater Bay Area, ultimately enhancing patients’ access to high-quality medicines in China and around the world.”
Picture Source: Merck