[Photo via VCG]

The new plant project at Novartis Changping Site was recently launched, signaling that the project, with a planned investment of around 1.5 billion yuan, has entered a new construction phase.

Established in 1987, Novartis's Changping site marked the starting point of the Swiss-headquartered company's operations in China. Today, the site has a maximum annual production capacity of 3 billion tablets and capsules and packaging capacity of 550 million boxes, serving as one of the key production hubs in Novartis's global manufacturing and supply network.

Under the plan, the main structure of the production building at the new Changping plant is scheduled for completion in the second half of 2027. Registration applications are expected to be submitted in 2029, and the plant will begin operating after regulatory approval. Digital operation models and automated production systems will be introduced, as the company explores the use of robotics and smart technologies in production and logistics.

Novartis is far from the only internationally renowned pharmaceutical firm making major investments in Beijing. About two weeks ago, construction began on the Beijing manufacturing base of SCIEX, part of life sciences giant Danaher. Beijing is expected to become the first city worldwide to host three manufacturing sites of Danaher.

Also in October, Astellas China Innovation R&D Center officially opened in the BioPark in Beijing E-Town. It is the global pharmaceutical company's first innovation R&D center in China since it entered the market 32 years ago.

To date, more than 20 leading international pharmaceutical companies have set up operations, increased their investment or established R&D centers in Beijing. Rather than merely a "manufacturing base" or "sales market" for multinational pharmaceutical companies, Beijing is becoming increasingly integrated into the global R&D chain as a source of innovation and a hub for research collaboration.

As a national hub for pharmaceutical and healthcare innovation, Beijing is now home to top research institutes, advanced clinical facilities and a large number of talented minds in the field of biomedicine. Together, these provide a strong foundation built on three elements: talent, clinical resources and industrial data.

Specifically, Changping District, where Novartis has established its facility, is now supported by 72 shared platforms. The district has built a "1-kilometer innovation commercialization loop" covering "laboratories, shared platforms, bench and pilot testing, and clinical application". The average time to commercialize research findings is just 4.7 years, much shorter than the global average of 8 to 10 years. Multinational pharmaceutical companies can find all the resources they need for R&D, pilot production and clinical trials without leaving the district.

(Source: bjd.com.cn)