USP-China has positioned itself as a key contributor to China’s burgeoning Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ). USP-China’s 100,000 square-foot facility is the centerpiece of the organization’s effort to build meaningful relationships with government agencies and industry leaders across the Greater China region, and has recently received some high-level attention.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visited the USP facility in September 2014, touring the state-of-the-art laboratory and interacting with staff. Li, who has emphasized the importance of promoting technology and innovation throughout his time in office, was an early supporter of the development of the FTZ. Established in 2013, the Shanghai FTZ is one of the first free trade zones on the mainland.
“USP-China is strategically located near many key pharmaceutical businesses in Shanghai and well-placed to work throughout China,” says USP Senior Vice President of International Site Operations and Acting Head of China Operations, K.V. Surendranath, Ph.D. “This allows USP to connect and communicate with Chinese-based manufacturers and regulators and establish collaborations for the development of standards and training programs.”
Last week, the FTZ Administration added to USP-China’s national cachet by awarding the company with the Outstanding Enterprise Award during an invitation-only roundtable discussion between FTZ-based organizations and the government. The award recognizes companies for excellence in performance and contributions to the development and reform of the FTZ. Both the award and the invitation to participate in this high-level roundtable discussion mark significant milestones for USP. With more than 20,000 businesses operating in the FTZ, this recognition affirms the administration’s belief that USP is an important partner in growing the zone’s success and global profile.
“We are honored to receive this award from the Shanghai FTZ Administration,” Dr. Surendranath remarks. “USP has a long history of working with partners and stakeholders in China. After relocating to the FTZ and expanding our facilities, we also built a strong relationship with the FTZ Administration.”
Dr. Surendranath says he has been impressed by—and appreciative of—the “openness and cooperation” of the FTZ Administration with area industries. In this spirit, Dr. Surendranath—who also serves as Senior Vice President of USP-India—points out USP’s desire to collaborate and knowledge share across Asia and South America—particularly in Research & Development and food and drug quality.
USP-China has received significant support from the FTZ government since relocating there in 2014—most notably in the form of invitations to participate in open dialogues about business development challenges. Through these interactions, USP has been able to improve lab operations and overall efficiency by working with FTZ leadership on innovative strategies that reduce customs restrictions and administrative permit delays.
As Dr. Surendranath points out, these improvements ultimately help to advance USP’s goal of improving global public health.
“The constant upgrades and improvements being made to our business environment will help better position USP-China to strengthen the meaningful impact we make and ultimately fulfill our public health mission.”
Learn more about USP-China's facility, services and activities here.
