MSD conducted 140 clinical research projects in China in 2022, bolstering the country’s progress in the sector. — China Daily
Beijing: With a long-term commitment to the Chinese market, US-based global pharmaceutical company Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) plans to introduce over 50 innovative drugs, vaccines, and companion diagnostics to China in the next five years.
As part of its constant efforts to enhance its local research and development (R&D) capabilities, MSD conducted 140 clinical research projects in China in 2022, bolstering the country’s progress in the sector .
Li Zhengqing, senior vice-president of MSD and president of MSD China R&D, 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 in size and the number of clinical research projects completed surged by nearly 300%.”
Currently, MSD China R&D has established headquarters in Beijing and branch centres in Shanghai; Chengdu, Sichuan province; Wuhan, Hubei province; and Guangzhou, Guangdong province.
With strong local capability, new 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 United States. It is always an integral part of our global business strategy,” Li said. — China Daily/ANN
