Yabao inks diabetes deal with Lilly, adds innovative R&D

SHANGHAI – Yabao Pharmaceutical Co. Inc., of Beijing, has entered a partnership with Eli Lilly and Co. to co-develop Lilly's leading glucokinase activator (GKA), LY2608204, for China's diabetics. Yabao is a well-known Chinese generics maker that ramped up its "internationalization" strategy last year when it hired Peng Wang to head up the R&D division after a successful stint as chief scientific officer at Simcere Pharmaceutical Group, of Nanjing, and 18 years at Schering-Plough Corp. in New Jersey.