Dr. Severin Schwan, New IBLAC Chair, Drives Shanghai's Aspiration to Become a Globally Influential Science and Innovation Hub

ShanghaiOctober 15, 2023PR Newswire -- On October 15, marking 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 was appointed as the next chairman of IBLAC. This is a high recognition of Roche and Dr. Schwan’s long-term deep involvement in IBLAC, contributing to the high-quality development of Shanghai's biopharmaceutical industry and the city itself. "I sincerely congratulate Shanghai and IBLAC on their tremendous success over the past 35 years. 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 Dr. Schwan. "I am honored to have embarked on my IBLAC journey since 2009, during which 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 the future, I will continue to work hand-in-hand with all member organizations to contribute global cutting-edge wisdom and experience to the development of Shanghai."

Dr. Severin Schwan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Roche Group

Dr. Severin Schwan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Roche Group, Presides Over the 35th Shanghai Mayor's International Business Leaders Advisory Council Meeting

This year marks Roche's continuous participation in IBLAC for over 20 years, with Dr. Schwan attending faithfully for 14 consecutive years. 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 "Discovery and Creation – How to identify new opportunities and create new pathways amidst technological revolution and industrial transformation." He supported Shanghai in embracing the critical opportunities brought by the times with openness, collaboration, and innovation to achieve breakthrough innovation. Yesterday, Dr. Schwan, along with other international entrepreneurs, visited CEIBS (China Europe International Business School) to engage in dialogue with Chinese entrepreneurs under the theme "Discussing New Pathways, Planning New Development." They contributed their forward-thinking insights to strengthen exchanges between China and the world, promote global business innovation, and drive global economic prosperity.

Dr. Severin Schwan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Roche Group

Dr. Severin Schwan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Roche Group, spoke at the conference.

Innovation has always been 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 IBLAC members, including Roche, have continued to establish themselves in China, deeply cultivate in Shanghai, and jointly contribute to building Shanghai into a global influential science and technology innovation center.

Roche not only views China as an important market but is also committed to transforming China into an international life sciences innovation hub through open collaboration, bringing cutting-edge healthcare solutions to patients in China and around the world. "Twenty years ago, I attended the inauguration ceremony of our R&D center in Pudong, Shanghai. At that time, we were the first multinational pharmaceutical company to establish an R&D center in Shanghai. Today, in the Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, hundreds of leading life sciences companies have gathered around us, collectively forming this thriving innovation ecosystem," said Dr. Severin Schwan. As early as 2004, Roche established an R&D center in China, the first R&D center set up by Roche in an emerging market and also the first wholly-owned R&D center established by a multinational pharmaceutical company in Shanghai. In 2019, Roche invested an additional RMB 863 million to upgrade the R&D center into the new Roche Shanghai Innovation Center. In 2021, Roche China Accelerator, with an investment of nearly RMB 300 million, was launched in Shanghai as Roche's first self-built and operated accelerator globally, with support from the government and partners. In 2022, to further drive 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 globally. This September, the Roche China Accelerator building was officially completed in Shanghai. The Roche China Accelerator exemplifies Roche’s empowerment of the local innovation ecosystem and will accelerate the transformation of cutting-edge scientific achievements, promote global sharing of innovations developed in China, and benefit more patients.

Roche's ties with China date back nearly a century. As one of the earliest multinational companies to establish operations in China, Roche has always been committed to providing Chinese patients with first-class differentiated medicines and innovative solutions, empowering the construction of China’s medical innovation ecosystem. Among large multinational pharmaceutical enterprises, Roche Pharmaceuticals was the first to build a complete pharmaceutical value chain in China, encompassing research, development, production, and marketing, addressing unmet needs of Chinese patients. Ms. Bian Xin, General Manager of Roche Pharmaceuticals China, stated: "Roche has always adhered to the principle of ‘acting on patients’ needs first.’ Leveraging Shanghai’s robust medical R&D capabilities, we are accelerating the introduction and implementation of global innovative products in China, benefiting Chinese patients as quickly as possible. In the future, we will continue to collaborate with multiple partners to create an innovative, cooperative, and diverse local healthcare ecosystem, jointly contributing to the grand vision of ‘Healthy China 2030.'"