BeiGene opens innovation center to 'benefit patients globally'

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BeiGene hopes to offer cancer patients innovative treatments through its new innovation center in China. | Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Executives with a Chinese-based biotechnology company announced the launch of an innovation center that could provide new medicines and treatments to millions battling cancer.

Beijing-based BeiGene, which specializes in cancer treatment drug development, will launch its Bioisland Innovation Center (BIC) to support startup growth of and accelerate early-stage innovation, according to a Dec. 20 report from Business Wire.

"Science and innovation are BeiGene's core strengths," Dr. Xiaodong Wang, BeiGene co-founder and scientific advisory committee chairman, said in the report. "We are committed to supporting entrepreneurs incubate bold, new ideas into impactful programs that will create value for patients and benefit patients globally."

The company's "scientific research, unique clinical development capabilities, and footprint" will also help position BeiGene "to explore new paths of innovation and support new talents in the booming biotechnology hub of Guangzhou's Greater Bay Area," Wang said.

Founded in Beijing in 2010 by Wang and CEO John V. Oyler, BeiGene also has offices in North America, Australia and Europe.

"Over a decade ago, we started BeiGene's journey by following the science and have grown to be a global biotechnology company with capabilities across the full value chain," Oyler said in the report. "With the BIC, we are supporting entrepreneurs with similar purpose and vision of delivering innovation that will benefit more patients worldwide. We expect the center will also contribute to our innovation pipeline."

BeiGene also announced plans to expand its collaboration with Norvartis to develop and commercialize BeiGene's TIGIT Inhibitor and promote five Novartis oncology medicines in Chinese markets.