While other companies scramble to open their first manufacturing facility in China, U.S.-based Promega is already replacing one. The Madison, WI-company established its first Chinese partnership nearly 30 years ago. Now it has opened a new facility in Shanghai to replace and expand on an existing molecular biology reagent production plant. About 40 people will work at the facility, which will manufacture molecular biology and molecular diagnostic reagents. "China is an integral part of Promega's manufacturing and business operations. In 1985, Promega and two Chinese partners established Sino-American Biotechnology Corporation (SABC), the first China-U.S. biotech joint venture in China," Promega CEO Bill Linton, said in a release. The company has 5 manufacturing operations globally. The announcement comes as many companies are racing to get operations established in China, a market with significant potential but a tricky business environment. Denmark drugmaker Lundbeck just this week opened a $9.5 million, 9-person plant in Tianjin where it will start by making its Alzheimer's drug Ebixa. Release | More