China plays an increasingly important role as an emerging market in AstraZeneca's global strategy. In line with this strategy, AstraZeneca entered into a strategic partnership with Peking University 3rd Hospital to open its first Clinical Pharmacology Unit (CPU) in China. The unit aims to enhance local clinical research capabilities and speed up access to new medicines to benefit Chinese patients.
Mr Han Qide, academician and vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress; Mr Sang Guowei, President of China Pharmaceutical Association; Mr Chen Zhongqiang, Dean of Peking University 3rd Hospital and Mr David Brennan, CEO of AstraZeneca, were present at the opening ceremony.
AstraZeneca indicates that the CPU will focus on phase I clinical research, including clinical pharmacology and safety evaluations – steps necessary for launching new medicines in China. Under the co-operative agreement, AstraZeneca will provide Peking University 3rd Hospital with personnel training, system audits and consulting services, and will also invest to upgrade facilities necessary for clinical research of medicines for infections, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
The unit will accelerate access to new medicines from overseas and benefit Chinese patients in need. In addition, it is set to expand the capabilities of early phase clinical research for local clinical pharmacology organizations, and take China's clinical research capabilities to a new level through further R&D cooperation and academic exchange with the local medical community.
"AstraZeneca is committed to enhancing clinical research capabilities in China. The CPU is established according to AstraZeneca global standards. The collaboration with Peking University 3rd Hospital is a great example of AstraZeneca's patient-oriented global strategy to strengthen our R&D pipeline for Chinese patients," said Mr David Brennan.
"The CPU is using a new and innovative operating model for partnership between AstraZeneca and a premier Chinese University hospital that will result in a faster, more efficient and flexible link between phase I studies and our phase II and III clinical research projects."
With China's rapid economic growth and increasing demand for better healthcare, AstraZeneca has enjoyed sustained business growth, posting a 25 per cent sales increase in China in the first half of 2007. AstraZeneca is also stepping up investment in China: it announced investments of $100 million in R&D last year; followed by the establishment of its R&D base, the AstraZeneca Innovation Centre China (ICC) at Shanghai's Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park. The ICC's initial therapeutic focus will be on cancer, a major cause of death in China. In addition, AstraZeneca's China sourcing centre was founded in Shanghai in January as part of the company's effort to strengthen global sourcing of active pharmaceutical ingredients.
"We will continue to implement our vision of being 'In China for China', with long term planning and investment. We fully support China's national focus on innovation by substantially increasing our R&D investment, both in financial terms and in terms of scientific collaboration. We will ramp up development of innovative medicines for Chinese patients," said Mr Brennan.