Dive Brief:
- Currently, there are 2,000 Merck employees at over 40 sites in China.
- The most important Merck products marketed in China include Erbitux (cetuximab) for cancer and a fertility drug, Gonal-F.
- In 2013, Merck's sales in China and the surrounding region grew 9% to $6.47 billion.
Dive Insight:
Merck’s commitment to long-term involvement in the Chinese pharmaceutical market is extensive and solid. In August, Merck will open a new manufacturing plant in Nantong, which will focus on bulk production, as well as the packaging of Glucophage, Concor and Euthyrox.
Merck also maintains a presence in China as an R&D service provider. In addition, the company has established strong relationships with a variety of Chinese academic and medical institutions -- an essential part of securing a long-term business presence in any country's pharmaceutical sector.