Three Key Trends at the 6th CIIE Highlight New Directions in Multinational Pharma R&D

At this year's CIIE, reporters strongly felt that the clinical needs of more patients are being further met.

The difficulty in accessing medications for patients with rare diseases has always been a societal challenge. At the CIIE, reporters observed that the clinical needs of patients with rare diseases are receiving more attention.

According to incomplete statistics, more than 30 products for the treatment of rare diseases were showcased at this year's CIIE booth. Among them, Pfizer brought a non-factor therapy product for the treatment of hemophilia, Sanofi introduced a next-generation enzyme replacement therapy drug, Nexviazyme, for Pompe disease, and Takeda China displayed eight innovative products in the field of rare blood disorders all at once…

Focusing on the innovative exploration of hemophilia diagnosis and treatment models and the upgrading of therapeutic drugs, Pfizer hosted a thematic event at the CIIE venue, engaging in exchanges with patient organizations and clinical experts. During the event, Pfizer introduced its rare disease R&D layout and related practices in the hemophilia field. It was reported that although there are already established factor replacement therapy regimens clinically available for hemophilia treatment, unmet clinical needs remain for patients in terms of preventing bleeding and improving quality of life. Currently, Pfizer is actively developing non-factor therapies and gene therapies for hemophilia, aiming to meet the clinical needs of some patients whose symptoms still cannot be alleviated after receiving factor replacement therapy.

The unmet needs of female patients have also become a focus of attention for many multinational pharmaceutical companies. This year, Organon returned to the CIIE with the theme "Her Health, Our Future," showcasing a series of innovative products related to women's "entire reproductive cycle" in a magenta-colored exhibition hall. Among the exhibits is China’s only currently approved single-rod subdermal contraceptive implant, Etonogestrel Implant, as well as an innovative medical device for treating postpartum hemorrhage, which helps address delivery complications that severely threaten the lives of mothers and promotes perinatal health.

Figure: Organon booth at the CIIE

Abbott Focuses on the Health Needs of Menopausal Women, Introduces New Drug Fenyuening for the Treatment of Estrogen Deficiency Symptoms in Postmenopausal Women After at Least 12 Months. Reportedly, This Product Contains Natural Estrogen (17-β Estradiol) and Progesterone Closest to Natural (Dydrogesterone), Which Can Help Menopausal Women Effectively Relieve Symptoms Such as Hot Flashes, Night Sweats, Depression, Insomnia, Bone, Joint, and Muscle Pain, Improving Their Quality of Life.

At this year's CIIE, many executives of multinational pharmaceutical companies told reporters that China is playing an increasingly important role in global pharmaceuticals and medical devices R&D.

Yiqin Wang, General Manager of Pfizer China's Oncology Business Unit, stated: "In the next five years, Pfizer plans to achieve 'All-In' in China for all product lines at the critical Phase III and registration submission stages." She further explained that by 2027, China will participate in all of Pfizer’s critical Phase III clinical trials, and Pfizer's R&D teams across all therapeutic areas globally will consistently include China in the list of regions for the first wave of new product submissions, ensuring synchronized submissions across all product lines in China.

It is reported that Pfizer has basically achieved the "two 80%" strategy, which means that China participates in over 80% of Pfizer's global early and pivotal clinical trials, and 80% of these projects are filed concurrently and eventually introduced into China.

BD Medical showcased the BD Liverty™ Adjustable Bend Transjugular Puncture Device, which was developed by a Chinese team and launched in both China and the United States.

Pictured: BD Liverty™ Adjustable Bend Transjugular Puncture Device by Becton Dickinson

According to the introduction, BD Liverty™ is equipped with the world's first adjustable rigid cannula, enabling precise and controllable in vivo bending adjustments. This optimizes the intrahepatic portal vein puncture procedure, making the surgical process safer and more efficient. This innovative technology, originating from China, has served patients worldwide through BD Medical.

In addition to showcasing innovative products, Novo Nordisk also presented medical literature related to three new drugs during the CIIE, including the first-ever exhibition in China of clinical research results for Icodec, the world’s first once-weekly basal insulin. Icodec is an innovative product by Novo Nordisk that completed clinical trials and submitted new drug applications simultaneously in China, the EU, and the US for the first time. This marks a milestone advancement in Novo Nordisk's "China InnoMatch" project.

Novo Nordisk launched the "China Innovation" program in 2020, incorporating China into Novo Nordisk's global synchronized R&D system. The aim is to achieve simultaneous clinical trials, simultaneous approvals, and simultaneous patient benefits both inside and outside of China. The implementation of this project marks that China's importance in Novo Nordisk's global R&D strategy has been elevated to the highest level.

The CIIE serves as a platform for multinational pharmaceutical companies to expand their networks and engage in local collaborations. At this year's CIIE, these companies actively partnered with local patient organizations and pharmaceutical enterprises in China to provide patients with more convenient and professional services.

At the 6th CIIE, the "Novartis China-PNH (Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria) Patient Group 'Professional Advisor Partnership' Certification Ceremony" was held at the Novartis booth. Zhang Ying, President of Novartis China, stated: "This collaboration with the PNH Patient Group is another innovative attempt by Novartis to empower patients in partnership with the pharmaceutical ecosystem." Novartis will invite patient representatives from the PNH Patient Group across China to act as advisors and establish a PNH Patient Advisory Committee. This committee will regularly discuss and collect patient feedback and opinions to provide references for future product and service innovations. This is also the first time Novartis has established a patient advisory committee in a single disease area in China.

Figure: Novartis China-PNH Patient Home "Professional Advisor Partner" Cooperation Certification Ceremony

Centered on patient needs, Omron integrates diverse scenarios such as hospitals, homes, pharmacies, enterprises, and communities to build a comprehensive and efficient chronic disease management system, aiming to enhance residents' health management levels. At the CIIE venue, Omron has reached strategic cooperation with AstraZeneca, Yixintang, Beijing Tong Ren Tang, and other enterprises to provide better services for patients with chronic disease management in China.

Omron Also Unveils the Upgraded Version of the Standardized Metabolic Disease Management Center (MMC) Health Convenience Store – MMC Health Station, and Signs Cooperation with Shanghai DeDa Hospital Co., Ltd. at CIIE. The MMC Health Station brings intelligent medical devices and chronic disease management services into enterprises, parks, and communities, further enhancing the accessibility of chronic disease management services. To date, the MMC Health Station has been established in multiple communities and large enterprises in Shanghai, covering more than 100,000 users.

In addition, Novo Nordisk has joined hands with industrial chain partners in the fields of diabetes, rare diseases, and obesity to establish the "Digital Health Ecosystem Partner Alliance," jointly exploring future digital solutions centered around patients.

Among these initiatives, Novo Nordisk has collaborated with Ping An Good Doctor to establish a specialized diabetes management center within a newly created internet hospital, enabling diabetic patients to access convenient services such as health assessments, consultations, diagnoses, medication purchases, and follow-ups without leaving their homes. In partnership with Sinopharm Holding, they have addressed the "last mile" of insulin and other medication delivery to diabetic patients at home through cold chain transportation for hypoglycemic drugs. With technical support from iFlytek Healthcare, Novo Nordisk has developed "Xiao Nuo Teacher 2.0," assisting patients in obtaining disease management knowledge anytime and anywhere. Collaborating with blood glucose monitoring brands like Silicon Life, Sinocare, and Tang Hu Technology, they have created an integrated intelligent diabetes self-management solution—the NovoCare APP. This platform helps diabetic patients better understand personalized characteristics of their blood glucose fluctuations, simplifies long-term management, and improves glycemic control.

Reporters sensed at the CIIE that "continuously increasing investment in China" has become a consensus among leaders of many multinational pharmaceutical companies. They aim to continuously introduce globally leading innovative products into China and, together with local partners, promote the development of China's pharmaceutical ecosystem to better serve Chinese patients.