Singapore: Amgen and ShanghaiTech University, China, entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to form a strategic partnership for the advancement of biopharmaceutical discovery and translational research in China. This agreement includes plans for Amgen to open a China R&D center at ShanghaiTech University, which the firm expects to be fully operational in 2014.

Under the terms of the MoU, Amgen will co-locate its China R&D center with ShanghaiTech University's two life science institutes including, the Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies (SIAIS) and the iHuman Institute.

Dr Sean E Harper, executive vice president of R&D at Amgen, said that, "Amgen and ShanghaiTech University share mutual goals of scientific excellence and rigor and will benefit from each other's strength and expertise in advancing biopharmaceutical discovery in China. Expansion into China is a business priority for Amgen and opening this R&D center is another clear and important step forward in Amgen's commitment to the China market."

Professor Mianheng Jiang, chairman of executive committee of ShanghaiTech University, said that, "We are pleased to be partnering with Amgen. ShanghaiTech aims to build a research-oriented university that provides a dynamic approach to learning and ultimately solving problems facing society. This partnership is a commitment to develop more effective bio-medicine for the benefits of the patients in China and in the whole world."

Dr Mingqiang Zhang, vice president of China R&D at Amgen, said that, "We are excited about this unique opportunity to work with ShanghaiTech University. The combination of Amgen's industry-leading expertise in biopharmaceuticals and the world-class academic excellence of scientists at the SIAIS and iHuman institutes of ShanghaiTech will be a very powerful force in advancing drug discovery and development. We aim to address unmet medical needs that are particularly relevant for patients in China."