Daiichi Sankyo China on September 8 broke ground on a 1.1 billion yuan (US$154 million) facility in Zhangjiang Science City, Pudong New Area, to manufacture antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) — a new class of targeted cancer therapies.

The site is part of China's pilot programme allowing cross-border segmented production of biological products. The company said its Pudong operations will concentrate on high-value stages of ADC production, linking global technology with local demand while improving supply security for Chinese patients.

Daiichi Sankyo noted that its global ADC platform already supports a pipeline across several oncology indications, and the new facility will accelerate patient access by adding capacity. The company expects the project to help deliver breakthrough cancer therapies more efficiently.

The initiative comes as Beijing deepens reforms to attract biopharma investment, including opening up production rules and expanding reimbursement for innovative drugs. Pudong officials stressed that the district aims to become a preferred launchpad for new medicines and a leading hub for global pharmaceutical innovation.

Daiichi Sankyo, founded more than 120 years ago, has operated in China since the 1980s.