SHANGHAI, China, Oct. 9 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- WuXi PharmaTech (NYSE: WX), China's premier provider of pharmaceutical R&D outsourcing services announced that its future GLP center in Suzhou started construction on September 29, 2007.
(Logo: http://www.prnasia.com/sa/200708281726-min.jpg )
WuXi PharmaTech will build a 267,000 square foot state-of-the-art preclinical drug safety evaluation center situated in Wuzhong district, Suzhou, 60 kilometers from Shanghai. The center will provide customers with a broad range of highly value-added toxicology services. The company has already begun offering toxicology services at a smaller interim facility in Suzhou. The services to be provided at the new center will be more comprehensive and with much greater capacity. As an essential and integral part of the drug R&D process, these new services will complement the current service offerings provided by the company. The center is expected to become the largest modern drug safety evaluation center in China after its completion in 2009.
Wuzhong district has been in the top ten rankings among the one hundred most prosperous counties in China in terms of comprehensive economic strength for the last few years. It has excellent infrastructure, roads, communications, an adequate power supply and other amenities, as well as its historical and culture heritage. With the government's strong support for the burgeoning pharmaceutical and biotechnology outsourcing industry, Wuzhong district is an ideal location for the accelerated future growth of WuXi PharmaTech.
"We are very excited to kick off the construction of this facility. The new facility, designed by a renowned US architecture firm and to be managed by board certified toxicologist and other experienced scientists, will enable us to further broaden and expand our service capabilities and capacities to meet our customers' demands," commented Dr. Ge Li, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of WuXi PharmaTech. "Wuzhong is an ideal location because of its proximity to Shanghai, animal resources and well-educated laboratory graduates. We greatly appreciate the support of the government of Suzhou," continued Dr. Li.
About WuXi PharmaTech
Founded in 2000, Shanghai-based WuXi PharmaTech is the leading China-based pharmaceutical and biotechnology R&D outsourcing company. As a research- driven and customer-focused company, WuXi PharmaTech provides pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies a broad and integrated portfolio of laboratory and research manufacturing services throughout the drug discovery and development process. WuXi PharmaTech's services are designed to assist its global partners in shortening the cycle and lowering the cost of drug discovery and development by providing cost-effective and efficient outsourcing solutions that save its customers both time and money. Its operations are grouped into two segments: laboratory services, consisting of discovery chemistry, service biology, analytical, toxicology, pharmaceutical development and process development services, and manufacturing, focusing on manufacturing of advanced intermediates and active pharmaceutical ingredients for R&D use. In 2006, WuXi PharmaTech provided services to 70 pharmaceutical and biotechnology customers, including nine of the top ten pharmaceutical companies in the world, as measured by 2006 total revenues. For more information, please visit: http://www.wuxipharmatech.com .
