BeiGene and Guangzhou Development District Establish Joint Venture to Build Biologics Manufacturing Facility

BeiGene, Ltd. and Guangzhou Development District (GDD) announced that BeiGene (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd. (BeiGene HK), a wholly owned subsidiary of BeiGene, Ltd. and GDD and its affiliate Guangzhou GET Technology Development Co., Ltd (GET) have entered into a definitive agreement to establish a state-of-the-art commercial-scale biologics manufacturing facility in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China. The joint venture (JV), BeiGene Biologics Co., Ltd. (BeiGene Biologics), will also provide funding for research and development of biologic drug candidates in China. Total direct investments are expected to be RMB2.2 billion ($330 million).

“We are very pleased to announce our joint venture with the Guangzhou Development District. Biologics represent an important part of BeiGene’s overall R&D and manufacturing capabilities. This joint venture will enable BeiGene to keep pace with a growing demand for the development and use of biologics in China and global markets,” commented Xiaodong Wang, Ph.D., Co-Founder, Director, and Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board of BeiGene.

“It is our strategic priority to secure high-quality large-scale manufacturing capacity based on the increasing biologics opportunity we envision in China and global markets. We believe the joint venture will provide a valuable asset for our long-term growth,” commented John V. Oyler, Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board of BeiGene.

“We attach great importance to this project and believe that the successful introduction of BeiGene Biologics will transform Guangzhou Development District into a center for the innovative biopharmaceutical industry, promote the development of the biotechnology industry in the region, and provide a powerful driving force for economic transformation and upgrade. The government will provide strong support in funding, management service, and creating a good business environment,” commented the Administrative Committee of Guangzhou Municipal Government and Guangzhou Development District.

Under the terms of the agreement, the cash contributions to BeiGene Biologics (the JV Company) consist of RMB200 million ($30 million) from BeiGene HK and a total of RMB1 billion ($150 million) from GET, including cash in equity investment of the JV Company and a shareholder loan, which may be convertible into equity of the JV Company. For additional funding, the manufacturing factory subsidiary of the JV Company is expected to secure commercial loans of RMB1 billion ($150 million).