Singapore: Boehringer Ingelheim has invested around $94 million to fund the expansion of its manufacturing plant in China. The firm also inaugurated the new chemicals R&D laboratory Center of Competence at Zhangjiang High-Tech Park in Shanghai. Number of employees will rise significantly to 350 and the production capacity will presumably be tripled until 2018.

"Our objective is to meet the demand for more health in China. It shows our continuous commitment to China and specifically Shanghai", said Dr Wolfgang Baiker, a member of the board of directors, who is responsible for biopharmaceuticals and operations. "With our investments in China we will be able to offer more innovative medicines for Chinese patients, helping them to improve health and quality of life."

The project consists of a packaging center with space for high tech packaging lines, new quality control labs, and automated warehouse and logistics to ensure the reliable and high quality supply and also to launch new products. The main technologies are solid forms (tablets) and liquids (syrups) with a future output of over 150 million packages in 2016 and up to 220 million in 2018.

Dr Wolfgang Baiker added, "We will invest further into the site in 2014 to set up a development lab for biopharmaceuticals. All these activities show Boehringer Ingelheim's commitment to supporting innovation and growing our business further in China, one of the most important pharma markets in the world. "

"Operations together with our other strategic pillars, Prescription Medicines, Consumer Healthcare, Biopharmaceuticals and Animal Health, will continue to bring more health to China," said Mr David Preston, chairman and CEO, Boehringer Ingelheim China and Hong Kong.