Leading pharmaceutical producer WuXi AppTec's latest R&D production base went into operation on Sept 22, Wuxi Daily reported.

With a total investment of more than 1 billion yuan ($150 million), the new base in Wuxi has introduced 16 sets of advanced production equipment for mammalian cell cultures for use domestically and abroad.

In addition, the company also signed a cooperation framework agreement with Wuxi government to build a life science and tech park in the city's Binhu district.

The company announced that it will invest 5 billion yuan ($749.7 million) in the life science and tech park, which is scheduled to engage in the production and R&D of innovative medicine, training of professionals, international academic exchanges and company incubation.

Wang Quan, mayor of Wuxi, held in-depth talks with Li Ge, chairman of WuXi AppTec before a signing ceremony on Sept 21.

Wang praised WuXi AppTec's achievements in the past years. He said that Wuxi attaches great importance to biological medicine, considering it one of the strategic emerging industries. He hopes that the new biological base, life science and tech park will promote the transformation and upgrading of the industry in Wuxi.

Li said WuXi AppTec has more than 700 scientific researchers and plans to declare 31 new drugs for customers at home and abroad this year. In future, the company is going to enter the fields of health management and medical treatment.

WuXi AppTec is a leading global pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, and medical device open-access capability and technology platform with operations in China and the United States.