German pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim opened its China Research and Development Center in Shanghai's Zhangjiang on Oct 12.

The facility is designed to expand early-stage clinical development of Boehringer Ingelheim in China and translate cutting-edge scientific discoveries into innovative treatments for patients in China and worldwide.

Ioannis Sapountzis, president and chief executive officer of Boehringer Ingelheim Greater China, said the opening of the China R&D Center reflects the company's long-term commitment to investing in the country and growing alongside its innovation ecosystem.

He said the company will continue to deepen cross-disciplinary cooperation and work more closely with partners across China's innovation ecosystem, contributing to the Healthy China initiative.

Boehringer Ingelheim's China-based team is involved in all of the company's key clinical studies and in more than 70 percent of its early-stage clinical research projects. It plays a key role in drug development, clinical pharmacology, and external innovation, helping several innovative medicines make their global debut in China or gain market approval.

Boehringer Ingelheim is a member of the International Business Leaders' Advisory Council for the Mayor of Shanghai, a platform that gathers top multinational executives and industry experts to advise on Shanghai's development and opening-up.

Source: Shanghai Observer