SGS moves to cash in on Chinese contract testing

From its new laboratory in Shanghai, Swiss QC specialist can now provide drug makers operating in China with quality control (QC) testing of biopharmaceuticals, and medical devices.

The life science market in China is one of the fastest growing markets in the world and demand for contract analytical services continues to escalate as the domestic pharma market continues to mature and many of the world's top pharma companies also begin to set up low-cost manufacturing operations in the country.

"Shanghai offers unique opportunities for a Life Science service company as it is not only among the leading pharmaceutical manufacturing centres in China but also home of the research centres of many of our multinational pharmaceutical customers,"​ said Manfred Weiler, global business manager of QC-testing.

With the opening of a laboratory in Singapore earlier this year, the company's Life Science Services (LSS) division already has 17 pharmaceutical QC operations in North America, Europe and Asia and is hoping this latest facility will further strengthen its position in the budding Asian region.

The laboratory has been in operation since January but has only just received ISO 17025 accreditation from the CNAL (Chinese National Accreditation for Laboratory).

Specific services offered include method development and validation, stability studies, testing of raw materials, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and finished products, as well as testing of traditional Chinese medicine.

SGS will also provide inspection services and good manufacturing practice (GMP) gap auditing services due to "a special demand from western companies sourcing raw materials and APIs in China."​

In addition, it will offer consultancy on regulatory issues concerning the registration of drugs in China and Hong Kong as well as export and import related requirements.