Medtronic's Gu Yushao: 35 Years of Deepening Roots in China, Co-Building a New Future for Life and Health

Xinhua News Agency, Shanghai, November 6th, by Wu Qilong -- The 7th China International Import Expo (hereinafter referred to as "CIIE") is being held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) from November 5th to 10th. During the event, Gu Yushao, Global Senior Vice President of Medtronic and President of Greater China, said in an interview with Xinhua News Agency that the CIIE is an important platform for accelerating the localization of global innovative achievements, and also the debut stage for Medtronic to showcase its cutting-edge products worldwide. Over the past seven years, Medtronic has displayed more than 400 products, including 60 debut products.

"The CIIE not only accelerates the transformation from 'exhibits' to 'products', but also enhances medical professionals' understanding of innovative therapies, providing patients with more treatment options." He said that the CIIE also acts as a catalyst for Medtronic's localization strategy in China, strengthening the company’s confidence in executing its localization strategy. In the future, Medtronic will leverage the spillover effects of the CIIE to further enhance the layout of its localized value chain, bringing innovative, high-quality, and affordable medical solutions to Chinese patients.

Medtronic Global Senior Vice President and Greater China President Gu Yushao at the interview现场

Technology and Cooperation, Starting Lineup Showcases Innovation Strength

As a "full attendee" participating in the CIIE for seven consecutive sessions, Medtronic this year showcased nearly a hundred innovative products and solutions, including one global premiere, four Asia-Pacific premieres, and two China premieres, comprehensively demonstrating its innovative achievements in the four major medical fields of cardiac and vascular, medical surgery, neuroscience, and diabetes.

Gu Yushao stated that the CIIE is an important platform for gathering global innovative achievements and connecting world-leading scientific and technological results. This year, Medtronic has brought the globally first exhibited product, the Evolut PRO+ Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement System, which is the latest generation of TAVR products from Medtronic, aiming to provide lifelong management for patients with aortic valve stenosis. Its innovative "large valve window" design offers more space for future coronary intervention catheter operations, helping to enhance the safety and success rate of surgeries.

In addition, the new-generation implantable drug infusion pump (SynchroMed III), which made its Asia-Pacific debut, can provide treatment convenience for patients with cancer pain or chronic pain. The Percept RC Implantable Rechargeable Deep Brain Stimulator is a next-generation intelligent, sensing-enabled, and rechargeable brain pacemaker that can be used to treat Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, dystonia, and epilepsy. It features two patented technologies: BrainSense for brain sensing and Overdrive for battery performance. Unconditionally approved as fully compatible with 3.0T & 1.5T MRI scans, it ensures patients have the option for future MRI examinations.

The VitalFlow ECMO System is a portable extracorporeal cardiopulmonary support device, commonly known as an artificial heart-lung machine, which can provide life support for critically ill patients during transfer. Another product is the Penditure Left Atrial Appendage Closure System, which involves surgically implanting a device to physically close the left atrial appendage, further driving innovation in cardiac surgical techniques.

"These innovative products and technologies not only demonstrate Medtronic's leading position in the global medical technology field but also highlight our high regard and commitment to the Chinese market," Gu Yushao added.

Shared Life, Spillover Effects Benefit More Patients

The CIIE is not only a display platform but also an important channel for accelerating the localization of global innovative achievements. Gu Yushao said that through the CIIE, Medtronic has successfully moved many innovative products from the exhibition booth to clinical applications, benefiting a large number of patients in China.

"For example, the网红 product 'the world's smallest pacemaker' Micra, since its debut and market launch at the CIIE in 2019, has completed approximately 10,000 surgeries to date, truly accelerating from the CIIE exhibition hall to the hearts of Chinese patients," said Gu Yushao. The next-generation upgrades, Micra VR 2 and Micra AV 2, were also showcased at the 6th CIIE and had their first clinical application in May this year at the Boao Lecheng Pilot Zone in Hainan, including a 7-year-old patient, setting a new record for the youngest patient to receive the Micra AV 2 implantation.

In addition to pacemakers, other innovative products from Medtronic are also accelerating their entry into the Chinese market under the promotion of the CIIE. For instance, the Symplicity Spyral RDN system, which has been exhibited for four consecutive years, has benefited 54 Chinese patients with hypertension through the Boao pilot zone and real-world studies. "This product was approved for marketing by the National Medical Products Administration in April this year, becoming the world's first interventional treatment device system for hypertension to receive approval in the three major regions of the United States, the European Union, and China," he added.

"The spillover effect of the CIIE has allowed us to see the tremendous potential and broad prospects of innovative products in the Chinese market," said Gu Yushao. "We will continue to leverage the platform advantages of the CIIE to accelerate the introduction of more globally leading innovative medical technologies and solutions, meeting the diverse and high-quality healthcare needs of Chinese patients."

Future Together, Strengthening the Local Value Chain in China After 35 Years of Dedication

This year marks the 75th anniversary of Medtronic's global innovation and the 35th anniversary of its development in China. Gu Yushao stated that, over the past 35 years, Medtronic has always adhered to the belief of "patients first," continuously improving the layout of its localized value chain and growing together with the Chinese market.

He further pointed out that the Chinese market occupies a unique position in Medtronic's global strategy. Currently, Medtronic has 1 research and development center, 2 innovation centers, and 5 production bases in China, establishing a full value chain layout covering R&D, production, sales, training, after-sales service, and investment funds. Among these, the Medtronic China R&D Center has developed a total of 65 products, with 33 successfully launched in the market, and 23 achieving global sales. Meanwhile, Medtronic has also established the Medtronic China Fund to support and cultivate the construction of local innovation capabilities.

"We are full of confidence in the future of the Chinese market," said Gu Yushao. China's large population base, unmet medical needs, and the government's emphasis on people's health all make the Chinese market hold tremendous potential. We will continue to strengthen the localization of the value chain in China and provide higher-quality medical services for Chinese patients.

When talking about how Medtronic will further deepen its localization strategy in the future, Gu Yushao said that first of all, Medtronic will continue to increase its investment in China, promote the implementation of existing projects, including strengthening the construction of production bases in Shanghai and Changzhou, and promoting the development of local supply chains in China. At the same time, by utilizing venture capital funds, Medtronic will discover, empower, and invest in innovative Chinese medical device companies, helping their products serve more Chinese patients faster and even go global to serve patients worldwide.

Secondly, Medtronic will actively integrate into the local ecosystem in China, becoming a participant, contributor, and beneficiary of the ecosystem. Gu Yushao stated that Medtronic will collaborate with more industry partners to jointly explore innovative solutions and service models, providing patients with better healthcare experiences and services.

Moreover, Medtronic will continue to strengthen its cooperation with the government, medical institutions, and industry partners. He believes that through multi-party collaboration, a more comprehensive, efficient, and sustainable healthcare system can be jointly built, making greater contributions to the health of the people.

"The CIIE carries the grand vision of China sharing opportunities and promoting development together with the world," said Gu Yushao. Medtronic will continue to leverage the platform advantages of the CIIE to deeply integrate with the Chinese market and jointly build a new future for life and health.