GE Healthcare and M+W Group have formed a strategic alliance in emerging markets. The alliance will combine GE Healthcare’s expertise in technologies for biopharmaceutical manufacture with M+W Group’s global capabilities in bio-engineering and construction, to assist countries to become self-sufficient in the manufacture of biologics such as vaccines, insulin and biosimilars.

The companies “will offer governments and pharmaceutical companies an integrated, cost-competitive turnkey approach for the construction of biopharmaceutical manufacturing plants, to help meet the rapidly increasing worldwide demand for these potentially life-saving treatments,” according to a joint statement. The alliance is part of with GE’s healthymagination initiative, which focuses on reducing cost, increasing access and improving quality in healthcare.

Olivier Loeillot, general manager of Enterprise Solutions, GE Healthcare Life Sciences, said, “We’re delighted to form this alliance with M+W Group, who share our vision of bringing affordable and flexible manufacturing capabilities to countries worldwide, especially the emerging nations. This is a big step forward in bringing better, more affordable healthcare to more people. M+W is one of the foremost global engineering companies in bioengineering. By working together to bring an integrated offering — from financing and construction of the plant, right through to training of the operational staff — we can make it much easier for governments to set up their own facilities.”

Dr. Tobias Lücke, the managing director of M+W Process Industries, specializing in life science solutions, added, “Our global capabilities and strong track record of more than 18 years of delivering high technology facilities for the biotechnology industry is a great fit with the world-class bioprocessing expertise of GE Healthcare. Combining the experience and know-how of our respective companies will bring a new turnkey approach to the much needed local manufacture of potentially life-saving medicines and vaccines. We are delighted to be working together to make a real difference to healthcare delivery world-wide.”