MSD China yesterday unveiled a US$120 million new plant in Hangzhou.

This is to secure pharmaceutical products supply in the region as the drug company taps the growing demand in China.

The Hangzhou new plant, located in the Hangzhou Economic & Technological Development Area, is the largest manufacturing base in the Asia Pacific region for MSD.

It is equipped with the highest level facilities with 16 high-speed production lines and has an estimated 300 million unit packing capacity annually.

"The Hangzhou new plant marks another milestone for MSD and we're seeking to bring more innovative medicines and vaccines to China," said Pam Cheng, president of MSD China.

The US drug maker has more than 90 production sites worldwide and the new opening will play a key role in the firm's global manufacturing chain.

"It also extends our long-standing partnership with the Chinese government, and our commitment to help broaden access to quality health care throughout China," Willie Deese, president of Merck Manufacturing Division, said at the opening ceremony for the Hangzhou factory.

The new facility will join an interdependent network of 72 MSD facilities that supply medicines and vaccines to more than 140 countries.