Several big pharmaceutical players have carried out multiple biopharmaceuticals focused initiatives, including acquisitions, facility establishments, joint ventures, partnerships / collaborations, and venture capital funding, in China.
Of these, Sanofi has emerged as the most active player (in terms of initiatives undertaken), having carried out the maximum number of initiatives, of which, 36% were related to partnership / collaboration, 27% involved establishment of R&D centers, and 18% were facility expansions. This was followed by Merck, GSK and Pfizer, whose prime focus was also on the establishment of partnerships / collaborations with other biopharmaceutical developers in China. Further, players, such as Roche, Novartis, AstraZeneca, Amgen and AbbVie, were primarily focused on the establishment of biopharmaceutical R&D centers. In addition, Merck, GSK, AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb have entered into joint venture agreements with an aim to establish their presence in the Chinese market. Moreover, Sanofi, Merck, GSK and Roche have established manufacturing facilities in this region to maintain their position within the Chinese industry. In addition, over 80% of such initiative were carried out post 2005 and primarily for vaccines.
Majority of the big pharma initiatives were carried out in eastern China. Within this region, over 80% of the big pharma initiatives were undertaken in Shanghai and Jiangsu province. It is worth mentioning that these provinces are considered as key biopharmaceutical production hubs in eastern China. Further, some of the big pharma players, such as Sanofi, Merck, Amgen and Bristol-Myers Squibb, have undertaken initiatives related to biopharmaceutical in northern China, including Beijing. This indicates the increasing interest of big pharma players in such emerging regions as these locations are likely to provide companies the first mover advantage.
