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Merck Backs Commitment To Future Investments In Chinese Market(dpa-AFX International Compact Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - German drugmaker Merck (MKGAY.PK) reaffirmed its commitment to investments in the Chinese market, strengthening a major pillar of its emerging markets growth strategy. This week, Merck's Executive Board met in Shanghai, a month before the groundbreaking of its new pharmaceutical plant in Nantong, which from 2017 will be the Group's second-largest pharmaceutical manufacturing facility globally. Currently, Merck employs over 2,000 people at more than 40 sites in China, with the most important products including Erbitux to treat cancer, Gonal-f to treat infertility as well as life science tools and liquid crystals for flat panel displays. In total, Merck has committed over 100 million euros to investments in China over that past 3 years. Karl-Ludwig Kley, Chairman of the Executive Board, stated: "Together with government officials, customers, partners and our highly motivated local colleagues, we will explore ways to further address critical health care needs of the Chinese population - both with our high-quality drugs and our life science tools for biopharmaceutical R&D." Merck's sales in the region, including China, went up by 9% to nearly 3.8 billion euros last year, contributing 36% to Group total sales of 10.7 billion euros in 2013. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX |