The subsidiary of Sanofi long has pegged opening of additional plant as critical to restoring full production of Fabrazyme, which has been rationed to Fabry disease patients since a manufacturing interruption in 2009.

China's State FDA has approved Merck Serono's Kuvan (sapropterin) for orphan condition hyperphenylalaninemia in phenylketonuria or BH4 deficiency, a rare congenital metabolic disorder that increases blood phenylalanine levels. The approval underlines opportunities in the Chinese orphan drug market, says a leading Chinese expert

The latest figures from China's National Health Commission show infections of the new Wuhan coronavirus are continuing to pile up, spreading to more cities in the country and abroad as travel for the Lunar New Year festival goes into high gear. Meanwhile, diagnostics companies are rushing to have test kits ready.