China, new workshop for global drug giants
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Tokyo Correspondent On May 28, American giant Pfizer signed a partnership with biotechnology company Innovent Biologics, based in Suzhou (Jiangsu). Its mission: to develop twelve anticancer drug programs. Pfizer contributed 650 million dollars and four of its research programs, while Innovent contributed eight. The Chinese lab is to develop all programs until the end of so-called phase 1 clinical trials. If the plan works, Innovent will receive nearly 10 billion dollars, not counting future royalties, and Pfizer will commercialize the twelve drugs internationally. The American company justifies this approach by China's ability to develop molecules at "half the price and three times faster". This agreement is part of a trend for major Western pharmaceutical groups to partner with Chinese biotechs.
