Drugmaker expands Wuxi plant
By Li Jian (China Daily)
Updated: 2006-04-22 06:27
AstraZeneca, a pharmaceuticals company, is to build up its production
facilities in China by investing US$35 million at its Wuxi plant.
The aim is to meet demand from the local market over the next five years,
Steen Kroyer, chairman of AstraZeneca China, said on Friday.
Kroyer said the increasing demand for healthcare products and improving
research and development capabilities in China had prompted the firm to
strengthen its presence in the country, one of the world's largest
pharmaceutical markets.
"China is the most important emerging market for AstraZeneca and holds the
key to our future success," Kroyer told China Daily on Friday. "Our Wuxi site is
a crucial part of our business in China and we are confident of a bright
future."
The Wuxi plant, which began operations in 2001, is the largest manufacturing
investment undertaken by AstraZeneca in Asia.
The firm hopes the region will become one of drug makers' largest in the
coming decade, said Robin Edwards, vice-president of manufacturing at
AstraZeneca
Pharmaceutical Co Ltd.
The plant has seen a 270 per cent growth in output
over the past five years and is expected to double its production capability
over the next two years.
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