Singapore: China-based Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine recently announced plans to build a biologics manufacturing plant in Suzhou with an investment of $137 million. Hengrui, an integrated pharma with R&D centers in New Jersey, Shanghai and Chengdu, specializes in new medicines for antineoplastics, endocrine system, cardiovascular and the immune system.

The new facility will be a wholly owned subsidiary called Suncadia, established in the Suzhou high tech park. The construction is expected to be completed in three years and the facility will be built according to FDA and EMEA standards, said the company's vice president and head of R&D, Mr Lianshan Zhang.

The company's pipeline has more than 20 new medical entities (NME) with many in the better- or best-in-class category. "We have a healthy oncology pipeline and are building in diabetes, cardiovascular and inflammation. We are looking to do more pain management as it relates to oncology," said Mr Zhang.

Hengrui is increasing its investments in R&D of newer molecules that can combat various diseases. The firm recently inked a collaboration agreement with the antibody discovery company, Mabspace, headquartered in Hong Kong with R&D facilities in Suzhou. The agreement is to co develop novel antibody therapies for two cancer targets.