Novo Nordisk to expand China R&D

Novo Nordisk is to double the size of its R&D centre in Beijing, China by 2015.

The diabetes specialist said the level of employees at the centre will increase from 100 to 200, with a focus on creating a new Diabetes Research Unit in the country.

Novo Nordisk R&D centre in China

"By doubling the current staff at our R&D centre, Novo Nordisk acknowledges the achievements of the Chinese staff since the centre was established in 1997," said Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, executive vice president and chief science officer at Denmark-based Novo Nordisk.

"And once again, we demonstrate our long term commitment to take part in the scientific and technological development of China, while at the same time helping Novo Nordisk to get access to the tremendous resource of talents, ideas and innovation in China."

Since its establishment, the R&D centre has focused on building expertise in protein engineering and purification, as well as creating and improving monoclonal antibodies.

The expansion will see Novo Nordisk research biopharmaceutical approaches to develop new treatments against diabetes.

The company said the R&D team in China "will eventually take part in all aspects of drug discovery, from innovation to developing drug candidates for clinical studies in humans."