By Mary Vanac
Contract product developer and manufacturer New Product Innovations opened a gateway for U.S. medical device makers that want to do business in China.
As the U.S. branch of the Shanghai Pudong Medical Device Trade Assn., the Columbus, Ohio-based company will usher investors and manufacturers into the WaiGaoQiao Free Trade Zone, the largest free trade zone in China, which is linked to the Shanghai International Medical Zone.
In addition to helping medical device companies design, engineer and make their products, New Product Innovations can now help them research Chinese markets, modify products for those markets, deal with government regulations and go to market.
“It is my pleasure to announce that the China Medical Device Trade Assn. has selected New Product Innovations as the U.S. branch for our organization,” Yan Liang, president of the trade association and free trade zone, said in prepared remarks.
“NPI’s commitment to bringing top-notch medical device technology to the China market coupled with their experience operating in China and proven approach clearly sets them apart from others,” said Liang, who also is founder of the China Gateway for Medical Devices.
A year ago, NPI collaborated with BioOhio, Ohio’s biosciences company developer, to help Ohio-based medical companies introduce and distribute their products to the growing China market. The Columbus company has 20 years’ experience in China “and knows first-hand about the growing need for new medical products in China,” NPI said in its release about the collaboration.
Through its offices in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong, NPI has helped companies like Midmark, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) subsidiary Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Bausch & Lomb, Philips Respironics (NYSE:PHG), Becton Dickinson & Co. (NYSE:BDX), Baxter Healthcare (NYSE:BAX) and Invacare Corp. (NYSE:IVC) get their products into China.
Last week, BioOhio said it had established a partnership with Beijing Pharma and Biotech Center, a similar Chinese organization, to promote development of biomedical companies that will have offices, research and development facilities, and employment in both Ohio and Beijing.
