Dr. Severin Schwan, Chairman of Roche Group, Assumes Presidency of IBLAC and Highlights Commitment to Shanghai's Innovation Ecosystem

Oct 16, 2023 14:19 CST Updated 14:19

Roche

Oncology Drug Research, Development, and Manufacturing

Innovation is a key engine for economic growth and social prosperity. Over the past few decades, Shanghai has deeply implemented an innovation-driven development strategy, fully unleashing its innovative vitality and potential. Many multinational companies, including Roche Group, have continued to establish themselves in China and focus on developing in Shanghai, jointly contributing to the city’s efforts to build itself into a global influential science and technology innovation center.

October 15,On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the Shanghai Mayor's International Business Leaders Advisory Council (hereinafter referred to as IBLAC), Dr. Severin Schwan, Chairman of the Board of Roche Group, attended and will serve as the next chairman of IBLAC."Shanghai has always been an important innovation hub and a gateway to the world. It is an open, globalized city, which is why Roche has been rooted in Shanghai since 1926," said Schwan. "I am honored to have embarked on the IBLAC journey since 2009, and over the years, I have personally experienced the vitality and enthusiasm of this country. It is this spirit that has driven China's remarkable development, bringing unprecedented opportunities for businesses both within and outside China, with IBLAC playing a significant role in this. In the future, I will continue to collaborate with all member organizations to contribute global cutting-edge wisdom and experience to the development of Shanghai."

This year marks Roche's continuous participation in IBLAC for over 20 years, with Severin Schwan attending as scheduled for the 14th consecutive year. As the Executive Chairman of this year’s IBLAC, Dr. Schwan attended the IBLAC conference and led in-depth discussions among member companies on the topic of "Discovery and Creation – How to Identify New Opportunities and Open Up New Avenues Amidst Technological Revolution and Industrial Transformation." His efforts aim to support Shanghai in embracing key opportunities brought by the times with an open, collaborative, and innovative approach, achieving breakthrough innovation.

"Twenty years ago, I went to Shanghai to attend the completion ceremony of our R&D center in Pudong. At that time, we were the first multinational pharmaceutical company to set up an R&D center in Shanghai. Today, in Zhangjiang Science City, hundreds of leading life science companies have gathered around us, together forming this thriving innovation ecosystem."Schwan said that in the past few decades, Shanghai has undergone tremendous changes. All members of IBLAC have committed to contributing to the further development and progress of Shanghai. "Historically, Shanghai has been at the crossroads of East and West for centuries. We sincerely hope to continue this journey of East-West convergence, further strengthening our cooperation and exchange."”

As early as 2004, Roche established a research and development center in China, the first R&D center set up by Roche in an emerging market and also the first R&D center independently built by a multinational pharmaceutical company in Shanghai. In 2019, Roche invested an additional RMB 863 million to upgrade the R&D center into the brand-new Roche Shanghai Innovation Center. In 2021, Roche China Accelerator, with an investment of nearly RMB 300 million, became the first accelerator globally that Roche independently established and operated, launched in Shanghai with the support of the government and partners. In 2022, to further promote innovation in China and increase R&D investment, the Roche Shanghai Innovation Center (RICS) was officially upgraded to the Roche China Innovation Center (CICoR), which has independent decision-making authority for new drug research and early development, covering new drug R&D in disease areas such as immunology and oncology, continuously developing innovative medicines for patients in China and around the world. This September, the Roche China Accelerator building was officially completed in Shanghai. The Roche China Accelerator is evidence of Roche empowering the local innovation ecosystem, and will also accelerate the transformation of cutting-edge results, boost China's R&D achievements shared worldwide, benefiting more patients.

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Source: Roche, Xinmin Evening News, The Paper

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