THERMO Fisher Scientific Inc, the world's largest maker of laboratory instruments, launched a US$9.5 million China innovation center in Shanghai to boost its research, development and training capabilities.

The center in Jinqiao, Pudong New Area is expected to hire 200 to 300 engineers over the next two to three years.

Michael Shafer, president of Thermo Fisher China, said the new facility will support the high-growth markets in the Asia-Pacific region. The company's sales in China grew 20 percent to US$735 million last year.

The US$13 billion company serves customers ranging from pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, research institutions and government agencies to those in environmental and process control industries.