Multinational companies in the life science and healthcare sectors are deepening localization in China, thanks to a string of local agreements signed during the fourth China International Import Expo in Shanghai.

Global life sciences company Cytiva and local biotech company Shengsen signed a strategic cooperation memorandum during the expo, vowing to promote the joint pilot production of antibodies during the research and development phase.

The pair will also cooperate in areas across supply and quality assurance, marketing activities, cost reduction and after-sales services. Cytiva will also conduct a series of personnel training courses to bolster the local biopharma industry.

"The Chinese market has far-reaching strategic significance for Cytiva," said Yu Lihua, general manager of Cytiva China. "In the future, we will continue to deepen cooperation with Chinese biopharmaceutical companies and help promote the local biopharma industry by improving fundamental capabilities and modernizing the industrial chain."