MSD boosts localization of pharma R&D

With a long-term commitment to the Chinese market, United States-based global pharmaceutical company MSD plans to introduce over 50 innovative drugs, vaccines, new indications and companion diagnostics to China in the next five years.

As part of its constant efforts to enhance its local research and development capabilities, MSD conducted 140 clinical research projects in China in 2022, witnessing the country's progress in the sector and applauding the innovative results achieved by the nation so far.

Li Zhengqing, senior vice-president of MSD and president of MSD China R&D (research and development), said: "In the past years, the progress we have made in building our R&D capabilities was impressive. During the COVID-19 pandemic, our R&D team in China more than tripled and the number of clinical research projects completed surged by nearly 300 percent."

Currently, MSD China R&D has established headquarters in Beijing and branch centers in Shanghai; Chengdu, Sichuan province; Wuhan, Hubei province; and Guangzhou, Guangdong province. With strong local R&D capability, innovative drugs go through the R&D and approval process simultaneously in China and the global markets.

"China is now our second-largest market, just behind the US. It is always an integral part of our global business strategy," Li said.

He made the remarks at an award ceremony for MSD's R&D center in Beijing. On Aug 28, the fourth floor of the center was awarded the WELL Platinum Certification — the highest WELL Certification, which evaluates how a building's environment influences human behaviors related to health and well-being.

John Bunten, executive director of engineering of global workplace and enterprise services at MSD, said, "We are dedicated to a healthy, comfortable working environment for our employees, aiming at 30 more workplaces to be awarded green certificates in the coming one to two years."

Li said: "We firmly believe that employees can only maximize their value when they feel physically and mentally healthy and safe. As Beijing boasts a lot of first-in-class universities where numerous talents are cultivated, we want to attract and leverage the strength of local talents. This is why we renovated our Beijing R&D center. As part of the company's business growth strategy, we continue upgrading the capacity of this building, to bring a healthier and more sustainable workplace for our R&D talents in China."

During the ceremony, the company acknowledged the efforts that the Chinese government has made in optimizing its business environment for pharmaceutical multinational corporations.

In August, the State Council, the nation's Cabinet, issued a 24-measure guideline to attract more global capital and further optimize the country's business environment for MNCs, with measures including ensuring equal treatment of foreign and domestic companies.

Specifically, the measures encourage pharmaceutical MNCs to establish R&D centers in the country, join efforts with local enterprises in R&D and industrialized applications, and undertake major scientific research projects with their local R&D centers. In addition, guidelines were launched to accelerate the landing of foreign-invested pharmaceutical projects and to optimize the drug review and approval process for MNCs in the country.

Shan Jizhong, senior director of MSD China R&D, said: "The Beijing R&D center was established in 2011. We are witnesses of the local government's efforts in supporting R&D and innovative drug reviews and approvals. Working with the local healthcare community, we are able to bring our first-in-class and best-in-class drugs to the Chinese market."

Lu Dingliang, a senior partner at Beijing Jingshi Law Firm, said: "By offering more precise support to MNCs, China has been attracting foreign investment with higher 'gold content'. The development in key sectors, represented by the pharmaceutical industry, is expected to further raise the quality of China's foreign investment."