Medtronic's Gu Yushao: Deepening Local Integration to Expand Access to Premium Healthcare Resources

From November 5 to 10, the 6th China International Import Expo (hereinafter referred to as "CIIE") was held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai).

During this period, Gu Yushao, Medtronic's Global Senior Vice President and President of Greater China, stated in an interview with Xinhua News Agency that in the future, China will become the world's largest medical market, and the Chinese market will also become an important source of global medical technology innovation. Medtronic will continue to deeply integrate into the local market and accelerate local innovation.

Medtronic Global Senior Vice President and Greater China President Gu Yushao (Left)

  Rooted in China, Continuously Participating in the Construction of the Local Medical Ecosystem

"Founded in 1949, Medtronic entered the Chinese market in 1989. For more than 30 years, we have been witnesses and participants in the development of China's medical industry, and we hope to be contributors as well," said Gu Yushao. He added that with sustained economic growth, a deepening aging population, and strong government support for healthcare and other areas, the capacity and potential of the Chinese market are immense and foreseeable.

He further explained that China's large population base and unmet medical needs make the market hold tremendous potential; the strong resilience and vitality demonstrated by China’s continuous economic development provide a solid foundation for the growth of the healthcare industry; as the "Healthy China 2030" strategy advances, the construction of China’s healthcare system will continue to improve, offering vast space for the widespread application of innovative therapies in China, thereby benefiting more patients.

At the same time, the Chinese government's support for medical infrastructure construction, security systems, and innovative research and development, especially the clear proposal in the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China report to "advance the Healthy China initiative" and "promote the expansion and regional balanced distribution of high-quality medical resources," will not only benefit the Chinese people but also bring significant opportunities for the development of the healthcare industry.

"Rooting in China means seizing the future. As one of the first multinational medical technology enterprises to enter the Chinese market, Medtronic hopes to shoulder greater responsibility and mission, participating in the continuous construction of the local medical ecosystem, allowing more patients, doctors, and local innovative forces to become 'beneficiaries' of this medical ecosystem," said Gu Yushao. To promote innovation and breakthroughs in cutting-edge therapies, Medtronic has introduced over 700 innovative products to the Chinese market.

Medtronic Booth

  Perfecting China's Local Value Chain to Drive Localization Innovation

When it comes to empowering the construction of China's local value chain and promoting the innovative development of China's local medical technology industry, Gu Yushao pointed out that after more than 30 years of deep cultivation in China, Medtronic has built a full value chain layout covering R&D, production, sales, training, after-sales service, and investment funds.

At the same time, Medtronic continues to leverage its global scale and local value chain advantages, focusing on the following aspects to accelerate the advancement of its local strategic layout in China. First, it is increasing investment in local manufacturing and promoting local innovation and development. Medtronic has five production bases in China, located in Shanghai, Changzhou, and Chengdu, and has also made several strategic investments that span industry cycles.

Second, accelerate local innovation. Build an open and collaborative innovation ecosystem, while actively developing its own R&D capabilities, stimulate innovation through industry-academia-research cooperation, and promote industry innovation and development through incubation and investment funds. In April this year, Medtronic launched the Medtronic China II Fund (a regional venture capital fund) in China.

Third, expand the widespread accessibility of high-quality medical care in China. Currently, China is the only single market globally for Medtronic that has two innovation centers. The two innovation centers in Shanghai and Chengdu train an average of 15,000 healthcare professionals each year.

In Gu Yushao's view, after a period of capital investment, China's pharmaceuticals and healthcare industry, including industrial innovation and local innovation, will enter the "fast lane." Based on this, Medtronic will continue to focus on its localization strategy in China, accelerate the introduction of global innovations, expedite local innovation and local manufacturing, and enhance the broad accessibility of quality healthcare, supporting the high-quality development of the local medical ecosystem.

PulseSelect Pulsed Field Ablation System

  Debut of New Products at CIIE Accelerates Medtronic's Development Pace in China

"Globally, digitalization and intelligence are the prevailing trends. Focusing on the Chinese market, smart healthcare based on artificial intelligence and digitalization has vast market potential." When discussing the development of digital healthcare, Gu Yushao stated that Medtronic has undertaken many forward-thinking practices in the field of digital and intelligent healthcare, such as surgical assistance robots. Last year's exhibition showcased Medtronic’s “Robotics Ensemble” (Hugo, Mazor, Autoguide), highlighting Medtronic’s significant innovative achievements in the application of AI in medical scenarios.

He further pointed out that, in terms of expanding accessibility, digital technology can help achieve "Care Reaches Far, Even When Patients Stay Put." Medtronic is experimenting with using digital solutions to enable remote follow-ups, allowing patients with implanted pacemakers to sync their device data with doctors from the comfort of their homes. This provides an innovative solution for tiered medical care and addresses the issue of "difficulty in accessing medical care."

"This year, Medtronic is showcasing over 60 innovative exhibits at its booth under the theme 'Technology Makes Life Extraordinary,' including one global premiere, one Asia-Pacific premiere, and six China premieres," said Gu Yushao. Among these are multiple innovative products incorporating digital and intelligent technologies, as well as two debut concepts: the "Cryo & Heat Electrophysiology Smart Solution" and an AI-driven orthopedic and neurosurgical ecosystem.

Specifically, the global debut of the new generation PulseSelect for treating atrial fibrillation will make Medtronic the first provider in China to offer a comprehensive cardiac electrophysiology solution with "cryoablation, radiofrequency, and pulsed field" ablation energy types after approval. The Asia-Pacific debut, China debut, and several dozen other innovative products were also showcased, including the upgraded version of the internet-famous Micra, known as the "world's smallest pacemaker," with its latest battery life now extending up to nearly 17 years.

As a company that has participated in the CIIE for six consecutive years, Gu Yushao believes that the CIIE is an important stage for showcasing global innovative technologies and products, as well as an industry platform for the exchange and collision of ideas. For Medtronic, in the past five years, thanks to the strong spillover effects of the CIIE, more than 10 innovative technology products that made their debut have accelerated their introduction into China, achieving a transformation from "exhibits" to "products."

"The six-year journey of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) has also been six years of Medtronic's rapid development in China. From 'exhibitor' to 'investor,' Medtronic has continuously strengthened its localized strategic layout in China, enhancing its local capabilities," said Gu Yushao. In the future, Medtronic will continue to deepen its roots in China, integrate further into the local market, accelerate local innovation, and contribute to expanding access to high-quality medical resources for more patients.