County in Shandong strives to develop biopharmaceutical industry

A researcher in the industrial park of CR Pharma in Dong'e county works in the high-standard laboratory. [Photo by Li Aiming/for chinadaily.com.cn]

The biopharmaceutical industry is a key area of development for Dong'e county, which is home to eight large-scale biopharmaceutical companies. In 2023, the industry achieved an output value of 5.45 billion yuan ($754.24 million), revenue of 4.89 billion yuan, and profits of 1.2 billion yuan, reflecting growth rates of 23.7 percent, 19.5 percent, and 77 percent, respectively.

At the high-standard laboratory in the industrial park operated by China Resources Pharmaceutical Group Ltd, or CR Pharma, in Dong'e county, Shandong, technician Liu Ning tests the conductivity of reagents. There are over 30 highly-skilled researchers like him in the park.

The industrial park, with a total investment of 1.5 billion yuan ($207.59 million), boasts three high-end biologics developed independently by the company's research and development team. Many of the products' core technological indicators have reached advanced domestic industry standards.

"Our team, as part of CR Pharma's pilot R&D platform, has undertaken eight national and provincial-level research projects," said Liu Haifeng, deputy general manager of a subsidiary of CR Pharma.

Liu also said that in the past three years, the park has benefited from significant support from both the government and state-owned enterprises. This support has facilitated the recruitment of top talent and increased investment in research focusing on innovation and product upgrades.

Dong'e county has also signed cooperation agreements with institutions like Peking University Health Science Center and China Agricultural University and launched seven major health industry projects, including medical and wellness complexes. (Edited by Yang Yi)