Leveraging a robust biomedical industry cluster, the Pudong New Area in Shanghai has attracted numerous multinational and domestic biopharmaceutical companies and R&D institutions, cultivating a dynamic innovation ecosystem.

Focusing on first-in-class medicines, Pudong's biopharmaceutical industry reached an output value of 409.9 billion yuan ($57.5 billion) in 2024, accounting for around 40 percent of Shanghai's sector total. The area now has nearly 2,000 R&D pipelines, with over 800 focused on Class I innovative drugs.

As the first pharmaceutical MNC to establish a presence in Pudong's Zhangjiang area, Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche has maintained its robust development and innovation in the past three decades. This year, the company invested 2.04 billion yuan to construct its second innovative pharmaceutical production base in Pudong, a strategic move that significantly enhances its capacity for advanced medical manufacturing. The facility is scheduled to be completed in 2029 and come into use in 2031.

Rendering of Roche's second innovative pharmaceutical production base in Pudong. [Photo/WeChat ID: pdnews]

By the end of 2024, the China Innovation Center of Roche had generated over 320 invention patents. Nearly 20 domestic innovative companies have established over 10 early-stage R&D collaborations with the center. In recent years, Roche has forged multiple global exclusive licensing agreements with five Chinese biotech companies to co-develop innovative medicines in oncology.

Roche Accelerator in Pudong, Roche's inaugural internal accelerator on a global scale, is designed to function as an external innovation center, fostering the advancement of future R&D and playing a role in the innovation ecosystem. [Photo/WeChat ID: pdnews]

With continuous investment and innovation, Roche seeks to empower Pudong to forge a world-class, competitive industry cluster.