Merck Showcases Innovations at the 6th China International Import Expo Under the Theme 'Illuminating Life, Advancing Health in China, Building a Healthier Future Together'

ShanghaiNovember 5, 2023PR Newswire -- MSD, a global leading biopharmaceutical company, made its fifth appearance at the China International Import Expo (hereinafter referred to as "CIIE"). Under the theme of "Illuminate Life, Healthy China," MSD showcased its innovative drugs, vaccines, and a rich pipeline in key disease areas across a 1,000-square-meter booth through three major exhibition zones — from prevention to treatment, from collaboration to ecosystem, and from heritage to the future. This comprehensive display highlights MSD's full-lifecycle innovative healthcare solutions, demonstrating its firm belief and long-term commitment to the Chinese market after over three decades of dedication. During the event, MSD will host more than ten sessions covering project collaborations, academic seminars, patient care, and disease awareness initiatives.Activities such as, joining hands with multiple partners to focus on creating a new chapter in China's healthcare ecosystem, assisting in achieving the grand goal of "Healthy China 2030".

MSD Appears at the 2023 China International Import Expo

"The China International Import Expo (CIIE) is a platform for promoting high-level openness and an important window for multinational companies to showcase their innovation capabilities and advanced concepts," said Ms. Anna Tian, Senior Vice President of MSD Global and President of MSD China. "Thanks to the enormous platform effect of the CIIE, MSD collaborates with all partners in China's healthcare ecosystem to jointly promote the high-quality development of the healthcare system. With innovative product strength as the starting point, we are focused on the present while planning for the future, accelerating the shared vision of a healthy China. Our fifth participation in the CIIE, and our first as the chair unit of the CIIE Pharmaceutical Committee, further demonstrates MSD's unwavering confidence and commitment to the Chinese market."

"From Prevention to Treatment": Innovation-Driven Safeguarding of Quality of Life

The CIIE provides a platform for multinational companies to showcase their latest R&D advancements and innovative achievements. At this year's CIIE, MSD presented its innovative vaccines and therapeutic drugs aimed at addressing global human and animal health challenges, as well as its animal health products. With the ongoing progress in R&D, MSD aims to introduce over 50 innovative products and indications in China within the next five years. From prevention to treatment, it comprehensively safeguards life and health, highlighting MSD’s clear business strategy and robust R&D capabilities.

MSD Showcases Innovative Drugs, Vaccines, and R&D Pipeline

Vaccines are one of the most effective means to prevent infectious diseases. As a leader in the vaccine field, MSD has introduced human papillomavirus (HPV), rotavirus, hepatitis A virus, and pneumococcal vaccines in China, building a safe and strong health defense line for different age groups of the Chinese public. Since 2022, the eligible population for MSD's nine-valent HPV vaccine has been expanded to include females aged 9-45, and efforts to expand new indications are also actively underway, aiming to help more groups stay protected from HPV infection-related diseases, including cervical cancer.

In the treatment fields of major diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and antiviral therapy, MSD's star therapeutic drugs have gained significant attention. Among them, the immune checkpoint inhibitor PD-1 received approval in China for a new indication two months ago, and its appearance at the CIIE marks its debut after the approval. Since its market approval in China in 2018, it has so far been approved for 11 indications domestically, aiming to transform the treatment approach for various malignant tumors with high incidence, high mortality, and significant treatment challenges. Currently, in China, more than 20 cross-cancer clinical trials are underway, covering highly prevalent cancers in China such as gastrointestinal tumors, female-specific cancers, respiratory, and urinary system cancers, potentially bringing hope to more patients and families in the future.

The products on display and the R&D pipeline are all based on MSD's strong scientific research capabilities, including cutting-edge scientific discoveries or breakthrough therapy designations that have won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in recent years. We continue to conduct in-depth research in these advanced fields with the aim of transforming the latest scientific research achievements into life-saving drugs.

"From Cooperation to Ecosystem": Digital Innovation Empowers China's Healthcare Ecosystem

Under the guidance of the "Shining Future" strategy, MSD is committed to becoming a trusted leading partner in China's medical ecosystem. By collaborating with leading local research institutions, pharmaceutical and technology companies in China, MSD aims to introduce more innovative healthcare solutions that cover the entire life cycle from prevention to treatment, thereby accelerating the development of China’s medical ecosystem.

In response to the goal of "enhancing scientific and technological innovation and accelerating the transformation of technical achievements" in the 14th Five-Year Plan, MSD and Peking University jointly announced at this year's CIIE the comprehensive upgrade of their existing cooperation project, officially unveiling the "Peking University-MSD Joint Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Technology." As a new starting point, the two parties will continue long-term cooperation in public health areas such as technological innovation, real-world research in key disease fields, research成果转化, and public health talent development, achieving close integration of industry, academia, and research to jointly build a more comprehensive public health system.

To enable more people in China to benefit from innovative medical science and technology achievements, sincere cooperation with local partners is essential. The strategic partnership between MSD and Chongqing Zhifei Biological Products over the past 12 years, during which they have jointly improved the accessibility of various vaccines, serves as an important testament. As of September 2023, MSD's HPV vaccine has protected more than 40 million women cumulatively.

In recent years, MSD has accelerated digital innovation to provide medical information to a wider range of customers and offer disease education support to more patients and the public. Among its initiatives, UmiPro and MedLink serve as two key external physician engagement platforms. Based on the needs of doctors and pharmacists, these platforms continuously empower more healthcare professionals by delivering neutral third-party professional content and services, alongside iterative improvements in user experience, thereby fostering more two-way connections within China’s healthcare ecosystem. Meanwhile, digital solutions such as "Living in Harmony" and "Vaccination Companion" can more effectively help patients and the public prevent and manage diseases. Previously, MSD launched the ME+ project in collaboration with WeDoctor and Tencent Cloud. At the CIIE, this multi-party cooperation highlighted the next-generation customer engagement platform, using more scientific digital methods to efficiently and compliantly deliver medical information.

"From Heritage to the Future," Rooted in China, MSD Stays Committed to the Vision of "Enhancing Life"

Since transferring the world's most advanced genetically engineered recombinant hepatitis B vaccine technology to China in 1989, MSD has consistently demonstrated an open and inclusive approach to collaboration. Working hand-in-hand with various partners, MSD has launched cooperation projects promoting public health and patient care. The series of activities held during this year’s CIIE further highlight MSD's long-term commitment to "supporting the construction of China's healthcare ecosystem and jointly building a Healthy China."

On the occasion of the third anniversary of WHO officially launching the Global Strategy to Accelerate the Elimination of Cervical Cancer, at the CIIE platform, Olympic champion couple He Zi and Qin Kai will engage in a "Gold Medal Guardians of the Home — HPV Awareness Dialogue" with Ms. Anna Tian, providing new insights into raising public awareness and preventive concepts regarding cervical cancer and related diseases caused by HPV. In the future, MSD will continue to collaborate with all sectors of society to carry out diverse HPV awareness projects, working together towards a better future with fewer concerns about HPV.

Moreover, the MSD exhibition booth at the CIIE also witnessed several patient care and disease awareness activities, such as the 5th anniversary of the "Key to Life" Immuno-Oncology Patient Assistance Program, the Lavender Flower Project, MSD Talks Diabetes, and Protecting "AIDS" Old Friends Gathering, jointly helping cancer, diabetes, and AIDS patients step into a high-quality life.

China is an important part and strategic cornerstone of MSD's global operations. Guided by the "Bright Future" strategy, MSD will continue to be a trusted and leading partner in China's healthcare ecosystem. By collaborating with partners from all sectors, including government, industry, academia, research, and medical institutions, MSD is committed to bringing high-quality medicines and vaccines to patients and the public in China. The company is also dedicated to improving the accessibility and affordability of its products, ensuring that the value of medicine reaches more people and contributes to the rapid development of China's public health initiatives at the CIIE.

Illuminate Life, Healthy China —— MSD Shines at CIIE