A new R&D center of Covance, a global drug development services company, opened in Zhangjiang High-Tech Park in the Pudong New Area on Tuesday.

The center occupies 12,000 square meters. It doubles Covance’s capacity to serve customers with clinical development and commercialization solutions, bioanalytical services and central laboratory services.

Covance is the only provider to offer comprehensive R&D services from early development through commercial solutions in China, said John Ratliff, CEO of Covance.

The center will provide bioanalysis and biological sample testing services for pharmaceutical enterprises developing new drugs.

“Our Shanghai R&D Center continues our investment in China, bringing professionals and teams together to serve both the burgeoning Chinese pharmaceutical and biotech industry as well as global biopharmaceutical clients working here,” Ratliff said.

Bi Honggang, corporate vice president of Covance, said the government has identified pharmaceutical innovation as a national strategy.

“With programs of reforms and regulations, Shanghai has ignited innovation and accelerated development at both a national and global level,” said Bi.