WuXi AppTec
{{Short description|Chinese pharmaceutical and medical device company}}
{{Infobox company
| name = WuXi AppTec
| logo = WuXi AppTec.svg
| type = Public
| key_people = Ge Li
| foundation = {{start date and age|2000}}
| locations =
| num_employees =
| subsid = WuXi Biologics
| website = {{Official URL}}
| industry = Contract Research Organizations
Pharmaceutical
Biopharmaceutical
Medical Devices
| products =
| traded_as = {{ubl|{{SSE|603259}}|{{SEHK|2359}}|Hang Seng Index component}}
}}
WuXi AppTec (WuXi is pronounced as Wu-shee) is a global pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, and medical device company.
History
WuXi PharmaTech was founded in December 2000 in Shanghai by organic chemist Ge Li.{{cite web |title=Company Profile/ leadership |url=https://www.wuxiapptec.com/about/leadership |publisher=WuXi AppTec |access-date=29 March 2021 |archive-date=15 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415075252/https://www.wuxiapptec.com/about/leadership |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Company Profile/ History |url=https://www.wuxiapptec.com/about/history |publisher=WuXi AppTec |access-date=29 March 2021 |archive-date=15 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415082023/https://www.wuxiapptec.com/about/history |url-status=live }}
The company opened chemistry facilities in Tianjin in 2007. In 2008, WuXi PharmaTech acquired AppTec Laboratory Services Inc., a US-based company founded in 2001 with expertise in medical-device and biologics testing and with facilities in St. Paul, MN; Philadelphia, PA; and Atlanta, GA. In the same year the company was renamed WuXi AppTec.{{cite web |url=https://www.wuxiapptec.com/about/history |title=Our History |publisher=WuXi AppTec |access-date=26 December 2023 |archive-date=22 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222013916/https://www.wuxiapptec.com/about/history |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|last1=Nagaraj|first1=Amulya|last2=Shen|first2=Samuel|title=WuXi to acquire U.S.-based biopharmaceutical company|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-wuxi-acquisition-idUKPEK23688220080104/|date=4 January 2008|website=reuters.com|access-date=3 January 2024|archive-date=7 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207200947/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-wuxi-acquisition-idUKPEK23688220080104/|url-status=live}} WuXi AppTec opened a toxicology facility in Suzhou in 2009.{{cite web|date=29 March 2019|title=Our History|url=https://www.wuxiapptec.com/about/history|access-date=24 June 2020|publisher=WuXi AppTec|archive-date=17 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617124529/https://www.wuxiapptec.com/about/history|url-status=live}}
WuXi AppTec's subsidiary, WuXi STA, opened a large-scale manufacturing facility in Jinshan in 2010. The company began a biologics discovery, development, and manufacturing operation in Shanghai and Wuxi City in 2011. At the same year, WuXi AppTec acquired MedKey, a China-based clinical research company,[https://www.genengnews.com/topics/drug-discovery/wuxi-acquires-chinese-clinical-cros-medkey-and-jiecheng/ WuXi Acquires Chinese Clinical CROs MedKey and Jiecheng] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626023130/https://www.genengnews.com/topics/drug-discovery/wuxi-acquires-chinese-clinical-cros-medkey-and-jiecheng/ |date=2022-06-26 }} 24 October 2011 www.genengnews.com, accessed 28 March 2021 and Abgent, a San Diego company and one of the world's largest manufacturers of antibodies for biological research and drug discovery.[https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/wuxi-pharmatech-acquires-abgent-a-leading-producer-of-biological-research-reagents WuXi PharmaTech Acquires Abgent, a Leading Producer of Biological Research Reagents] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240320044353/https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/wuxi-pharmatech-acquires-abgent-a-leading-producer-of-biological-research-reagents |date=2024-03-20 }} 14 October 2011 www.fiercebiotech.com, accessed 28 March 2021 In 2012, WuXi AppTec opened a chemistry facility in Wuhan and a GMP biologics drug-substance facility in Wuxi City. That year WuXi AppTec also entered into a joint venture with MedImmune, the biologics arm of AstraZeneca, to co-develop MEDI5117, an anti-IL6 antibody for rheumatoid arthritis for the Chinese market.[https://www.biospectrumasia.com/news/28/1330/medimmune-wuxi-form-joint-venture.html MedImmune, WuXi form joint venture] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240320044355/https://www.biospectrumasia.com/news/28/1330/medimmune-wuxi-form-joint-venture.html |date=2024-03-20 }} 10 September 2012 www.biospectrumasia.com, accessed 28 March 2021 In 2013, WuXi AppTec formed a joint venture with the global clinical contract research organization PRA International (now called PRA Health Sciences) to build a clinical research business in China.[http://www.pmlive.com/pharma_news/wuxi_and_pra_form_chinese_joint_venture_458040 WuXi and PRA form Chinese joint venture] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111144530/http://www.pmlive.com/pharma_news/wuxi_and_pra_form_chinese_joint_venture_458040 |date=2021-01-11 }} 8 January 2013 www.pmlive.com, accessed 28 March 2021
In 2014, WuXi AppTec opened a new biologics biosafety testing facility in Suzhou. In the same year, WuXi AppTec acquired XenoBiotic Laboratories, Inc. (XBL), a contract research organization with 27 years of operation that provides bioanalytical, drug metabolism, and pharmacokinetic services to the pharmaceutical, animal health, and agrochemical industries.[https://www.thepharmaletter.com/article/wuxi-pharmatech-acquires-xenobiotic-labs WuXi PharmaTech acquires XenoBiotic Labs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024032950/http://www.thepharmaletter.com/article/wuxi-pharmatech-acquires-xenobiotic-labs |date=2015-10-24 }} 1 October 2014 www.thepharmaletter.com, accessed 28 March 2021
In 2015, the company launched the subsidiary WuXi NextCODE following the acquisition of NextCODE Health, a bioinformatics startup company which emerged from the Icelandic firm deCODE genetics in 2013.{{Cite news |last=Fidler |first=Ben |date=23 October 2013 |title=DeCode Spinout, NextCode Health, Launches With $15M From Arch, Polaris |url=https://xconomy.com/boston/2013/10/23/decode-spinout-nextcode-health-launches-15m-arch-polaris/ |access-date=24 June 2020 |work=Xconomy |location=Boston |archive-date=27 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627152110/https://xconomy.com/boston/2013/10/23/decode-spinout-nextcode-health-launches-15m-arch-polaris/ |url-status=live }}
In 2015, WuXi AppTec completed its merger with WuXi Merger Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of New WuXi Life Science Limited. As a result of the merger, New WuXi Life Science Limited acquired the company in a cash transaction valued at approximately US$3.3 billion.[https://www.conyers.com/publications/view/conyers-advises-new-wuxi-life-science-ltd-in-connection-with-us-3-3-billion-buyout/ Conyers advises New WuXi Life Science Ltd. in connection with US$3.3 billion buyout] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414054708/https://www.conyers.com/publications/view/conyers-advises-new-wuxi-life-science-ltd-in-connection-with-us-3-3-billion-buyout/ |date=2021-04-14 }} www.conyers.com, accessed 29 March 2021 In 2016, WuXi STA opened a new campus in Changzhou[https://www.biospace.com/article/releases/wuxi-apptec-s-sta-subsidiary-opens-new-campus-in-changzhou-/ WuXi AppTec's STA Subsidiary Opens New Campus In Changzhou] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221113054851/https://www.biospace.com/article/releases/wuxi-apptec-s-sta-subsidiary-opens-new-campus-in-changzhou-/ |date=2022-11-13 }} 4 March 2016 www.biospace.com, accessed 29 March 2021 and operations in San Diego. In the same year, WuXi AppTec acquired Crelux GmbH, a structure-based drug discovery provider based in Munich, Germany.[https://biopharma-asia.com/sections/wuxi-apptec-acquire-crelux-gmbh/ WuXi Apptec acquire Crelux GmbH] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240320044354/https://biopharma-asia.com/sections/wuxi-apptec-acquire-crelux-gmbh/ |date=2024-03-20 }} 19 April 2016 biopharma-asia.com, accessed 29 March 2021 In 2017, WuXi AppTec acquired HD Biosciences (HDB), a biology focused preclinical drug discovery contract research organization (CRO).[https://www.centerwatch.com/articles/14195 WuXi AppTec acquires HD Biosciences] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122000153/https://www.centerwatch.com/articles/14195 |date=2021-01-22 }} 20 January 2017 www.centerwatch.com, accessed 29 March 2021
In January 2024, WuXi AppTec's share price fell on news that the United States Congress had introduced legislation to block any federal government contracts with the company due to national security concerns.{{Cite news |date=2024-01-29 |title=WuXi Bio Denies Military Ties After Shares Slumped on US Bill |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-01-29/wuxi-bio-denies-military-ties-after-shares-slumped-on-us-bill |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129154426/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-01-29/wuxi-bio-denies-military-ties-after-shares-slumped-on-us-bill |archive-date=2024-01-29 |access-date=2024-01-30 |work=Bloomberg News |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=January 28, 2024 |title=WuXi AppTec Shares Continue Slide After Company Calls U.S. Draft Bill Findings Inaccurate |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/china/wuxi-apptec-says-u-s-draft-bill-findings-against-company-not-accurate-350e054f |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129002459/https://www.wsj.com/world/china/wuxi-apptec-says-u-s-draft-bill-findings-against-company-not-accurate-350e054f |archive-date=January 29, 2024 |access-date=January 29, 2024 |work=The Wall Street Journal}}{{Cite news |date=February 2, 2024 |title=WuXi Company Shares Tumble on U.S. Bill Aimed at Chinese Biotech |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/china/wuxi-apptec-related-shares-tumble-on-proposed-u-s-bill-aimed-at-chinese-biotech-companies-a2d1a5ab |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201195835/https://www.wsj.com/world/china/wuxi-apptec-related-shares-tumble-on-proposed-u-s-bill-aimed-at-chinese-biotech-companies-a2d1a5ab |archive-date=February 1, 2024 |access-date=February 2, 2024 |work=The Wall Street Journal}} The concerns stem from allegations, denied by the company, that it has worked closely with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) as a part of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s military-civil fusion strategy.{{Cite web |last1=Cheung |first1=Sunny |last2=Hope |first2=Arran |last3=Mattis |first3=Peter |date=February 9, 2024 |title=Red Genes: Assessing WuXi AppTec's Ties to the Party-Army-State in China |url=https://jamestown.org/program/red-genes-assessing-wuxi-apptecs-ties-to-the-party-army-state/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240210082746/https://jamestown.org/program/red-genes-assessing-wuxi-apptecs-ties-to-the-party-army-state/ |archive-date=2024-02-10 |access-date=2024-02-11 |website=Jamestown Foundation |language=en-US}} Members of the United States House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party subsequently called for sanctions against WuXi AppTec.{{Cite news |last=Martina |first=Michael |date=February 12, 2024 |title=US lawmakers call for sanctions on China's WuXi AppTec biotech firm |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-lawmakers-call-sanctions-chinas-wuxi-apptec-biotech-firm-2024-02-12/ |access-date=February 12, 2024 |work=Reuters}} WuXi AppTec denied any affiliation with the CCP and PLA and launched a lobbying campaign in the US in response.{{Cite web |title=Chinese pharma group lobbies against US biotech crackdown |url=https://www.ft.com/content/e6358d2a-2d2c-4f80-80b7-864e2d754fd4 |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=Financial Times |archive-date=2024-03-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319045846/https://www.ft.com/content/e6358d2a-2d2c-4f80-80b7-864e2d754fd4 |url-status=live }} According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Department of State, and Director of National Intelligence, WuXi AppTec transferred US intellectual property to the PLA without consent.{{Cite news |date=March 28, 2024 |title=China's WuXi AppTec shared US client's data with Beijing, US intelligence officials told senators |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/chinas-wuxi-apptec-shared-us-clients-data-with-beijing-us-intelligence-officials-2024-03-28/ |access-date=March 28, 2024 |work=Reuters}}
In October 2024, WuXi AppTec was reportedly considering selling its facilities in the U.S. and Europe due to the Biosecure Act, which has been discouraging potential clients.{{Cite news |last=Barnes |first=Oliver |last2=Fontanella-Khan |first2=James |last3=Olcott |first3=Eleanor |date=October 3, 2024 |title=China’s WuXi explores sale of pharma units as US restrictions loom |url=https://www.ft.com/content/540412cb-7273-4ae4-a890-9d432db8e0be |access-date=December 25, 2024 |work=Financial Times}} In December 2024, WuXi AppTec announced that it would sell its Oxford Genetics and WuXi Advanced Therapies to a U.S.-based private equity firm.{{Cite news |date=December 24, 2024 |title=China's WuXi to sell Advanced Therapies unit amid US restrictions |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/chinas-wuxi-sell-advanced-therapies-unit-us-private-equity-firm-2024-12-24/ |access-date=December 25, 2024 |work=Reuters}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Contract research organization}}
{{Pharmaceutical companies of China}}
{{SSE 50 companies}}
{{Hang Seng Index}}
{{Hang Seng China 50 Index}}
{{DJSI World}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Manufacturing companies based in Shanghai
Category:Pharmaceutical companies of China
Category:Companies formerly listed on the New York Stock Exchange
Category:Companies listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange
Category:Companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange
Category:Companies in the FTSE China A50 Index
Category:Companies in the CSI 100 Index
Category:Pharmaceutical companies established in 2000
Category:Contract research organizations
Category:Multinational companies headquartered in China
Category:Life sciences industry