Covidien unveils mammoth device-development facility in China

Covidien has opened a $45 million, 100,000-square-foot R&D facility in Shanghai, China. The investment reflects the company’s strategy for expansion into developing markets, among which China is key, according to a statement from José E. Almeida, the company’s president and CEO.

Covidien said the facility, its 11th property in China, houses 17 laboratories plus surgical and simulation suites set up to involve clinicians in product design and development, adding that it will eventually employ more than 300.

A Chinese government official spoke at a ceremony to open the new facility, according to Covidien. “The Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Science and Technology [have] all launched specific policies to boost the medical device industry, and the key word is innovation,” said Wang Xin Pei, deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce.

The port city of Shanghai is China’s largest population center.

Dublin-based Covidien makes its U.S. headquarters in Mansfield, Mass.
Dave Pearson

Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.

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