WuXi Biologics Secures MSCI AAA ESG Rating for Third Consecutive Year, Reinforcing Global Sustainability Leadership
WuXi Biologics (2269.HK), a leading global Contract Research, Development, and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO), has announced that it has achieved the highly esteemed AAA ESG rating from Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) for the third year in a row. This recognition underscores the company’s consistent commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) excellence and its ongoing leadership in advancing sustainability across the global biopharmaceutical manufacturing sector.
The AAA ESG rating from MSCI is among the highest possible scores a company can attain in the firm’s global ESG assessment framework. MSCI, a world-renowned provider of ESG ratings, analytics, and research, evaluates more than 17,000 issuers and nearly one million securities worldwide, offering investors insights into companies’ resilience to financially material, industry-specific sustainability risks and opportunities. Companies that receive a top-tier AAA rating are recognized as leaders in their industries, demonstrating outstanding performance in managing ESG risks and proactively addressing sustainability challenges.
For WuXi Biologics, the AAA rating signifies not only recognition of the company’s strong ESG performance but also its leadership role in advocating for sustainable business practices in the biopharmaceutical sector. Key areas of focus for WuXi Biologics include climate change mitigation, product safety and quality, human capital development, and robust corporate governance practices. By integrating sustainability into its core operations, the company reinforces its mission to deliver high-quality solutions to partners while contributing positively to the communities it serves.
Dr. Chris Chen, CEO of WuXi Biologics and Chairman of the company’s ESG Committee, expressed his enthusiasm over the achievement: “We are deeply honored to receive an MSCI AAA rating for the third consecutive year. This recognition validates our persistent efforts in pursuing sustainability and reflects our commitment to responsible business practices. As a global leader in Green CRDMO, we aim to deliver ESG excellence across our operations, provide end-to-end solutions to our partners worldwide, and collaborate with all stakeholders to advance sustainable practices in the biopharmaceutical industry.”
The company’s ESG initiatives are closely aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), demonstrating WuXi Biologics’ commitment to addressing pressing global challenges through responsible corporate action. WuXi Biologics has been actively engaged with the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), a voluntary initiative encouraging businesses worldwide to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies. Additionally, the company participates in the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative (PSCI), reflecting its dedication to promoting responsible supply chain practices across the industry.
WuXi Biologics has also taken significant steps to combat climate change by setting science-based targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Its recently approved near-term and net-zero emissions reduction targets, validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), demonstrate the company’s proactive approach to minimizing its environmental impact while supporting the global transition to a low-carbon economy.
Beyond climate initiatives, WuXi Biologics has earned widespread recognition for its broader sustainability efforts. The company was awarded the EcoVadis Platinum Medal, one of the highest accolades in corporate sustainability performance evaluation. It has also been consistently listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI), which track the performance of leading companies in terms of economic, environmental, and social criteria. WuXi Biologics’ water management practices have been recognized with inclusion on the CDP Water Security “A list,” and the company has achieved an A- rating from CDP for climate change leadership for two consecutive years, highlighting its comprehensive approach to environmental stewardship.
In addition, WuXi Biologics has been evaluated as having negligible risk in ESG practices by Sustainalytics, a leading ESG research and ratings provider. The company has maintained top ratings in both industry and regional ESG assessments by Sustainalytics for five consecutive years, underscoring the sustainability consistency of its operations across geographies and business lines. Further affirming its ESG credentials, WuXi Biologics has been selected as a constituent of the FTSE4Good Index Series, included in the Hang Seng ESG 50 Index, and rated as Prime by ISS ESG Corporate Rating. Collectively, these accolades reflect the company’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and socially responsible practices.
The recognition by MSCI, along with the numerous awards and listings received by WuXi Biologics, highlights a broader trend within the biopharmaceutical and CRDMO sectors. Companies are increasingly evaluated not only for their financial performance but also for their ability to manage ESG risks and demonstrate sustainability leadership. Investors, partners, regulators, and other stakeholders are placing greater emphasis on ESG factors when making decisions, which makes high ratings such as MSCI AAA a significant competitive differentiator for global organizations like WuXi Biologics.
WuXi Biologics’ approach to ESG is multifaceted. In terms of environmental stewardship, the company implements energy efficiency programs, water conservation initiatives, and comprehensive waste management strategies across its facilities. It prioritizes minimizing the environmental footprint of its operations, while supporting global efforts to mitigate climate change. On the social front, the company focuses on human capital development, fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce, promoting employee well-being, and contributing to the communities where it operates. Governance-wise, WuXi Biologics maintains rigorous internal controls, transparent reporting, and adherence to high ethical standards, ensuring accountability and trust among stakeholders.
The company’s dedication to ESG aligns with its broader strategic objectives of delivering innovative, high-quality solutions to the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. By integrating ESG principles into its operations, WuXi Biologics not only enhances its long-term business resilience but also strengthens partnerships with pharmaceutical companies, biotech innovators, and other stakeholders seeking to align with sustainable practices.
As ESG considerations continue to play an increasingly critical role in investment and corporate decision-making, WuXi Biologics’ sustained AAA rating from MSCI reinforces its position as a global leader in responsible and sustainable biopharmaceutical manufacturing. The recognition signals to investors, partners, and stakeholders that WuXi Biologics is well-equipped to manage industry-specific sustainability risks and capitalize on opportunities, while maintaining its commitment to ethical, environmentally responsible, and socially conscious business practices.
Through its unwavering commitment to ESG principles, WuXi Biologics demonstrates that sustainability is not merely a corporate responsibility but also a strategic enabler of long-term growth and resilience. The company’s ongoing achievements in this area serve as a benchmark for peers in the CRDMO and broader pharmaceutical sectors, showcasing how dedicated sustainability practices can coexist with operational excellence, scientific innovation, and global market leadership.
Disclaimer:
The use by WuXi Biologics of any MSCI ESG Research LLC or its affiliates (“MSCI”) data, and the use of MSCI logos, trademarks, service marks, or index names herein, do not constitute a sponsorship, endorsement, recommendation, or promotion of WuXi Biologics by MSCI. MSCI services and data are the property of MSCI or its information providers and are provided ‘as-is’ and without warranty. MSCI names and logos are trademarks or service marks of MSCI.
