Farmed-Out Pharma

Forbes online ^ | 2-11-08 | Susan Kitchens

[grey_whiskers]

In the race to find the next billion-dollar drug, some of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies are starting in China. For the past three years industry giants such as Pfizer and Merck have quietly dished out early-stage research projects to scientists working in the whitewashed buildings of WuXi PharmaTech, China's largest drug R&D company. "We have a cost advantage and access to other resources, such as research animals, and a very good infrastructure. All of these things make us competitive," says Hai Mi, head of WuXi's investor relations.

[grey_whiskers]

If the heavy metals and adulterated ingredients don't get you...

the intellectual property theft WILL.

Cheers!

[grey_whiskers]

Like, *PING*, dudes.

Cheers!

[dynachrome]

Easier to use human beings in the drug trials.

[southernerwithanattitude]

I wonder about that one for sure. How many times have we heard about prisoners body parts for sale.

[dynachrome]

“Take this pill and earn 1 year off your sentence!”

[doc1019]

"We have a cost advantage and access to other resources, such as research animals …”

Thanks PETA.

[TigerLikesRooster]

No shortage of test subjects, human or animal. They might even use PETA members if they are arrested for anti-state crime.:-)

[generalhammond]

I guess the Falun Gong prisoners in jails who don’t cut it for donating their organs will be used in drug trials. Waste not want not.

[JACKRUSSELL]

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