Bracco strikes Chinese partnership

The Bracco Group has entered into a joint venture with Sine Pharmaceutical of Shanghai for the production and marketing in China of diagnostic contrast media. The partnership will serve as the springboard for launching this month in China two new contrast media produced by the Bracco Group, one for MR, the other for ultrasound. Demand for in vivo injectible contrast media in China is growing at more than 20% annually, according to Bracco. The Italian company owns 70% of the new Bracco-Sine joint venture. It has been commercially active in China for about 15 years. A priority of the Bracco Group's Chinese operations is to train local hospital staff and to help consolidate academic ties between Italy and China.