Drugmakers are expanding in China, but patents are still a worry. Andreas Tschirky is a medical pioneer. As head of research and development in China for Swiss drugmaker Roche Group (rhhvf.pk.PK), Tschirky in October opened a research center in the Zhangjiang science park in Pudong, the flat expanse east of downtown Shanghai that mainland authorities hope will become the heart of the country’s pharmaceutical industry. The Roche facility is the company’s first wholly owned research and development operation outside Western Europe or the U.S. A year from now, Tschirky predicts, he will be directing more than 40 scientists in Pudong who will be collaborating with colleagues worldwide to come up with new medicines -- while boosting Roche’s profile in the Chinese market. “We can help our organization to understand the opportunities in China,” he says. “We have a very nice chance to grow.”
