WUXI, JIANGSU: AstraZeneca, a pharmaceuticals company, is to build up its production facilities in China by investing US$35 million at its Wuxi plant.

The aim is to meet demand from the local market over the next five years, Steen Kroyer, chairman of AstraZeneca China, said on Friday.

Kroyer said the increasing demand for healthcare products and improving research and development capabilities in China had prompted the firm to strengthen its presence in the country, one of the world's largest pharmaceutical markets.

"China is the most important emerging market for AstraZeneca and holds the key to our future success," Kroyer told China Daily on Friday. "Our Wuxi site is a crucial part of our business in China and we are confident of a bright future."

The Wuxi plant, which began operations in 2001, is the largest manufacturing investment undertaken by AstraZeneca in Asia.

The firm hopes the region will become one of drug makers' largest in the coming decade, said Robin Edwards, vice-president of manufacturing at AstraZeneca

Pharmaceutical Co Ltd.

The plant has seen a 270 per cent growth in output over the past five years and is expected to double its production capability over the next two years.

Source: China Daily