BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM TAKES FURTHER STEP TO ESTABLISH ANIMAL HEALTH BUSINESS

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CHINA & GERMANY

Research driven pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim, in partnership with Taizhou China Medical City in Jiangsu Province, China, held a ground-breaking ceremony for a veterinary vaccine manufacturing plant at the China Medical City (Taizhou China Medicine High-Tech Development Zone) last week (Friday, 16 August).

The joint venture, with investment totaling 58 million Euro, will become a leading manufacturer of veterinary vaccines in Asia upon its completion. The facility is expected to complete construction in June 2015 and to create about 200 job opportunities.

"China is one of the most important Animal Health markets in the world. With the start of this project, we are fulfilling our commitment to providing the entire value chain of our vaccine business in China," said Dr Joachim Hasenmaier, Member of the Board of Managing Directors and responsible for Animal Health: "Taizhou China Medical City, with its favourable geographic location, sound investment environment and well qualified employees, among many other advantages, proved to be an ideal partner for Boehringer Ingelheim. The project underlines our commitment of continued investment in China.

" With nearly 60 years of experience in the Animal Health sector, Boehringer Ingelheim is a market leading company and the largest vaccine supplier for swine worldwide. Through this joint-venture, Boehringer Ingelheim is set to introduce leading Animal Health technology in China and to expedite the sector’s development in the country. The joint venture will become a leading force for the country’s animal husbandry sector, providing scientific, innovative and high-quality solutions in the area of Animal Health. The manufacturing plant will mainly produce vaccines for swine and poultry diseases.

Lu Chunyun, Standing Committee member of Taizhou municipal government and president of China Medical City, said: "Boehringer Ingelheim is a leading player in the world's Animal Health sector, particularly in swine vaccines. China Medical City is the country's only national-level medical high-tech development park. This co-operation is set to create synergy and a win-win situation."

"Boehringer Ingelheim’s vision is to become a reliable partner of choice for China’s animal breeders and to contribute to food safety in China," said Dr Hasenmaier. "The Animal Health business together with our other strategic pillars - Prescription Medicines, Consumer Healthcare, Biopharmaceuticals and Operations - will continue to bring more health to China."

In 2012, Boehringer Ingelheim China’s Animal Health business was ranked among the top three in multinational pharmaceutical companies in China. The success was driven particularly by the growth of the animal vaccine business. The core products, including Ingelvac Circoflex® (which helps to protect swine against Porcine Circovirus Disease), have achieved remarkable market recognition and success. The company also set up its Asian Veterinary Research and Development Center (AVRDC) in Shanghai Zhangjiang High-tech Park early last year.