Anna Van Acker, Senior Vice President of MSD: Aligning with China's Healthcare Development to Drive High-Quality Industry Growth

Against the backdrop of accelerating globalization, international cooperation and the sharing of resources, knowledge, and innovative achievements are having a profound impact on the healthcare field. Anna Tian, Senior Vice President of MSD Global and President of MSD China, stated that MSD will continue to serve the development of public health in China, collaborate with local healthcare ecosystem partners, harness the power of cutting-edge science and technology, and support the realization of the "Healthy China 2030" vision.

Member of the RDPAC Executive Committee, Senior Vice President of MSD Global and President of MSD China, Anna Tian

Xinhua News Agency:What Key Measures Has MSD Taken to Support High-Quality Development in China's Health Sector?

Anna Tian:MSD has been rooted in China for over three decades. China is MSD's second-largest market globally and an essential part of our mission to save and improve the health of humans and animals worldwide. In 2023, we served 20 million patients, and our vaccines protected 21 million eligible women, elderly, and infants. We are committed to becoming a trusted and leading partner in China’s healthcare ecosystem, working hand-in-hand with relevant collaborators and business partners to address unmet medical needs in China, enhance accessibility, improve health outcomes, and support the realization of the "Healthy China 2030" vision. At last year's China International Import Expo (CIIE), MSD was honored to serve as the chair unit of the Pharmaceutical Committee of the CIIE Exhibitors Alliance, participating in and supporting various CIIE initiatives, assisting the CIIE Bureau in organizing activities, and promoting government-enterprise dialogue and cooperation. On September 5, 2023, MSD led 16 multinational pharmaceutical companies (CIIE exhibitors) on a visit to the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone in Hainan, gaining an in-depth understanding of the pilot project's favorable policies, which will help accelerate the introduction of high-quality global medical resources to Hainan and establish Hainan as a model for an emerging healthcare ecosystem.

Xinhua News Agency:How does MSD drive high-quality corporate growth through innovation?

Anna Tian:MSD is an innovation-driven, research-intensive biopharmaceutical company. In China, we have an innovative portfolio covering multiple areas, including PD-1 inhibitors, the 9-valent HPV vaccine, diabetes, and hospital-based specialty medical products for rare diseases. In the next five years, we are expected to bring over 50 new products and indications to China, including significant breakthroughs in new therapeutic areas; we will continue to explore innovative access solutions to allow more Chinese patients and consumers to benefit from our products. MSD always keeps pace with technological iterations, continuously exploring innovative data, digital, and artificial intelligence solutions to meet the medical education needs of healthcare professionals and further create greater value for our customers, patients, and consumers.

Xinhua News Agency:How does MSD contribute to the long-term development of China's national health system, and what key initiatives with positive impacts has MSD taken to address critical challenges in China’s healthcare? How do these practices support the realization of the grand goal of "Healthy China 2030"?

Anna Tian:Our connection with China began in 1989, when hepatitis B posed a severe threat to public health. We transferred the most advanced genetically engineered recombinant vaccine technology at that time without charging any patent fees or profits. We also invited Chinese engineers and manufacturing technology teams to visit the U.S. for learning. Additionally, we donated production equipment and arranged for a group of MSD scientists and engineers to come to Beijing and Shenzhen to help establish hepatitis B vaccine production facilities. MSD is also striving to create an era where cancer can be treated and possibly cured. We are conducting clinical research in China, advancing over 80 clinical trials covering 20 types of cancers, including several prevalent cancer types in China. As more indications for tumor immunotherapy are approved, we will offer more innovative and reliable treatment options, bringing hope to those in need. On the other hand, HPV-related cancers such as cervical cancer can largely be prevented through vaccination. Our HPV vaccine has protected numerous eligible women in China. The nine-valent HPV vaccine now covers females aged 9-45 and has been approved for a two-dose regimen for girls aged 9-14, which will help accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer. We will continue our efforts to contribute to the shared vision of the World Health Organization and China's public health initiatives. We have also launched the "Shell Action," providing education on the prevention of HPV-related diseases for 90 million women and their families. In 2019, we initiated the "MSD Cares for Mothers" program, a global initiative aimed at offering training for healthcare professionals and maternal health education in remote areas, helping over 18 million pregnant women achieve healthier and safer pregnancies and childbirths, working tirelessly towards the vision of "zero maternal deaths."

Xinhua News Agency:Can you share some successful partnerships that MSD has established in China? How do these collaborations effectively meet specific healthcare needs?

Anna Tian:Our vaccine collaboration with Zhifei Biological, a leading biopharmaceutical company in China, combines MSD's scientific expertise with Zhifei Biological’s business strengths to protect numerous age-eligible women and girls in China with the HPV vaccine. We are also working with Kelun-Biotech, a leading Chinese biotechnology company, to co-develop preclinical Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) for application in the field of cancer treatment. Since 2020, MSD has partnered with Peking University on multi-field collaborations including real-world evidence and data research, clinical studies, epidemiological research, and public health talent development. In 2022, we launched the Jingwei Public Health Scholarship Program in collaboration with the China Vaccine Industry Association to support university talent cultivation. In November 2023, we established the Joint Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Technologies with Peking University to enhance our partnership in key therapeutic areas, medical technology innovation, technology transfer, as well as public health talent development and system building, thereby jointly addressing the needs of local industrial development.