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Roche, the world's key pharmaceutical producer, is elbowing its way into China's coveted anti-obesity market that already saturated with competitors from home and abroad.
"But we are confident about the market and believe much potential can be tapped," said William Keller, general manager of Shanghai Roche Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
At present, about 100 foreign and Chinese anti-obesity drugs are vying with each other on the market. The market is covered by advertisements from producers who are trying to squeeze money from the pockets of a small group of obese people.
Roche has realized the huge potential of the Chinese market and has spent 20 years researching the new generation anti-obesity drug Xenical, which has cost $1 billion in investment. The drug is being sold in Hong Kong and has achieved annual sales of $10 million, Keller said.
Roche managers predict that the new drug is expected to grasp one third of the Chinese market. It has signed an agreement with China's six largest pharmaceutical companies to push forward the sale of the new drug.
(Eastday 12/13/2000)
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