Kyowa Kirin Group, the Japanese pharmaceutical company, is expanding its presence in China by introducing innovative medications for hematology, oncology, and rare diseases. The company plans to increase its investments in the Chinese market and offer a broader range of medications targeting various medical conditions. A senior executive from the company expressed optimism about the Chinese market and emphasized the commitment to delivering high-quality medicines and services to benefit more patients in China.
To enhance its production and logistics strength in China, Kyowa Kirin recently launched an expansion project at its manufacturing base in Shanghai. With an investment of approximately 100 million yuan ($13.67 million), the expansion project took 15 months to complete and covers a total construction area of 6,300 square meters. The newly expanded facility includes production areas, storage facilities, and office spaces, with a primary focus on expanding production and increasing storage capacity for newly introduced biopharmaceutical medicines.
According to Lisa Li, the general manager of Kyowa Kirin China, the expansion aims to boost the production of innovative biopharmaceuticals that have received approval overseas but are either recently approved in China or awaiting approval. With the expanded facility, the company’s production capacity in Shanghai will be doubled, while its storage areas are designed for the storage and distribution of semi-finished and finished products.
The new warehouse is equipped with a fully automated three-dimensional storage system, offering a total capacity of 2,520 storage locations, including 840 cold storage spaces. The implementation of an intelligent system enhances operational efficiency and space utilization, significantly elevating the level of intelligent management within the company. Additionally, the associated distributed photovoltaic project, which is now connected to the grid, is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 300 metric tons annually.
In line with China’s Healthy China 2030 initiative, which aims to promote overall health, Kyowa Kirin plans to accelerate the introduction of innovative drugs. The company has already successfully launched more than 10 innovative drugs in China, spanning areas such as hematology, oncology, nephrology, and rare diseases.
China has been taking steps to improve its business environment for drug innovation. In early July, the Ministry of Commerce organized a round-table discussion, inviting foreign pharmaceutical companies operating in China to share their operational status, problems, and concerns.
Kyowa Kirin Group’s expansion in China and its commitment to introducing innovative medications for various medical conditions reflect the company’s dedication to providing high-quality healthcare solutions. Through its increased investments and expanded production and logistics capabilities, Kyowa Kirin aims to contribute to the advancement of healthcare in China while benefiting a larger number of patients.
