The Week in Review: Merck Plans Beijing R&D Center; $1.5 Billion China Investment

Merck plans to build an innovative drug R&D facility in Beijing as part of a new $1.5 billion investment in China; AstraZeneca will acquire anti-infectives maker Guangdong BeiKang Pharma; Lanzhou Foci Pharma, a TCM company, will issue 20.2 million shares in its Shenzhen IPO; Guangdong Taiantang Pharma paid $21.4 million for a 52% stake in Guangzhou Hongxing; Beijing SL Pharma invested $14 million for an 18% interest in Forwell Biopharm, a vaccine company; Zhejiang Conba Pharma acquired an 84% stake in TCM maker Yunnan Xiongye Pharma; Mindray Medical bought a controlling interest in a healthcare IT company; and Aoxing Pharma announced a new $3.2 million bank loan. More details…. Stock Symbols: (NYSE: MRK) (NYSE: AZN) (SHE: 002644) (SHE: 002433) (SHE: 002038) (SHA: 600572) (NYSE: MR) (AMEX: AXN)