Grandpharma chooses Science Park as a location to oversee clinical trials

PRESS RELEASE:

Recently the Science Park University of Antwerp, developed by POM Antwerp, welcomed China Grand Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Holdings Limited (CGP, 0512.HK), a pharmaceutical enterprise based in Hong Kong. Grandpharma created a subsidiary in Belgium, Grand Medical (Europe),  to oversee clinical trials abroad. To that end they are starting up their activities at Incubator Darwin. With the history of 80 years, Grandpharma has conducted research and developed high quality pharmaceutical products in several therapeutic areas. 

The Grandpharma team at Incubator Darwin consists of Dr. Linda Shi, Chief Medical Officer, Ms. Xiaorong Li, Senior Operating Manager, and Ms. Ursula Morjaria, Senior Clinical Advisor, three ladies with long-term experience in the pharmaceutical industry. They look forward to connect with Belgian scientists and institutions to collaborate on research projects and advance innovation. “I have worked in Belgium for many years and am therefore very in favour of  the local ecosystem. I look forward to introducing Grandpharma, a company that puts much emphasis on high quality, honesty, openness and transparency; values we share with Janssen Pharmaceutics, where I was active for several years. We chose the Science Park as our location, partly due to its nearness to so many pharmaceutical companies, but also because we believe this park with its focus on innovation, support and collaboration aligns with our own believes.”, explains Linda.

“Connecting Grandpharma with the professional network of the Science Park could function as an entry to introduce our company to the Belgian pharmaceutical industry.”, Ursula Morjaria continues. The ecosystems located at the Science Park, namely eu.reca (European Respiratory Cluster Antwerp) focused on the respiratory field and at.las (Leveraging Affordable Solutions for Advanced Therapies) focused on cell- and gene therapy, provide excellent means to do so. However, such collaboration – Grandpharma stresses – provides opportunities in both ways. “Gaining access to the Chinese market is not easy for young, foreign companies. Grandpharma is a household name and can open doors. We are willing to help innovative companies find the way.”, Linda clarifies.
 
An example of that approach is Grandpharma’s participation in eTheRNA, another company located at the Science Park, which develops first class mRNA-based immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Both companies are already collaborating, resulting in a joint venture Nanjing AuroRNA Biotech. 

“We are delighted that Grandpharma is joining us at the Science Park. They have developed a smart strategy with regard to accessing the European market, carefully choosing specific hubs to launch research programs or projects. In Germany for instance they are active in the cardiovascular domain, here in Belgium they have launched a clinical study with regard to Covid-19 severe Pneumonia. Their collaboration with eTheRNA is an added bonus. It is a very professional team, we look forward to doing projects together.”, concludes Jade Verrept, Cluster manager at POM Antwerp.  

More info on China Grand Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Holdings Limited, visit one of the websites:

• http://www.grandpharma.cn/en/
• http://chinagrandpharm.com/about/about-us/