Thermo Fisher Scientific is reinforcing its commitment to China as the country emerges as an increasingly important source of global biopharmaceutical innovation, with Chairman and CEO Marc Casper highlighting opportunities to support Chinese drug developers across discovery, clinical development, manufacturing and international expansion.

Following a recent visit to Shanghai, Casper said discussions with pharmaceutical, biotechnology and research organisations underscored both the pace of innovation taking place in China and the growing ambitions of Chinese companies to bring new therapies to patients globally.

“China has become a significant source of biopharmaceutical innovation,” Casper said, noting that his meetings with pharma, biotech and research customers provided insights into their scientific progress and future growth priorities.

Thermo Fisher is positioning its broad life sciences capabilities to support this evolution across the development continuum — from early scientific discovery and clinical development through process development and commercial-scale manufacturing.

The company also sees an expanding role for its international infrastructure as more China-based biopharmaceutical companies pursue overseas markets. Its global network, technical capabilities and regulatory expertise can support companies seeking to meet international quality requirements, navigate different regulatory environments and accelerate the global reach of China-originated innovations.

Shanghai remains strategic hub for Thermo Fisher

During the visit, Casper met Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng to discuss Thermo Fisher’s presence in the city and opportunities to further contribute to Shanghai’s life sciences and innovation ecosystem.

Thermo Fisher has operated in Shanghai for more than four decades. The city currently serves as the company’s China headquarters and is also an important centre for its research and development, manufacturing and customer-support activities.

The discussions come as Shanghai continues to strengthen its position as one of China’s major biotechnology and pharmaceutical innovation clusters, bringing together research institutions, emerging biotech companies, multinational pharmaceutical groups, investors and manufacturing capabilities.

Casper said Thermo Fisher intends to continue supporting the development of this ecosystem while contributing to Shanghai’s future growth.

The CEO also met Thermo Fisher employees during the Shanghai visit, highlighting the role of the company’s local workforce in supporting customers and translating scientific advances into healthcare applications.

“China is an important market for Thermo Fisher and a critical player in global innovation,” Casper said.

The visit signals Thermo Fisher’s continued focus on China not only as a major commercial market, but increasingly as a source of scientific innovation with global relevance. As Chinese biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies pursue international clinical development, regulatory approvals and commercialisation, demand for globally integrated research, development and manufacturing capabilities is also expected to grow.

For Thermo Fisher, this creates an opportunity to serve as an enabling partner connecting China’s expanding innovation pipeline with global development and manufacturing infrastructure — ultimately helping emerging therapies move from laboratories to patients across international markets.