Takeda China and China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Medicines and Health Products Join Hands to Enhance Access to Innovative Therapies for Rare Diseases

ShanghaiNovember 7, 2022/PR Newswire/-- Today, Takeda China and the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Medicines and Health Products (hereinafter referred to as: CCCMHPIE) signed a strategic cooperation agreement at the 5th China International Import Expo. Both parties will further strengthen professional cooperation in the field of rare diseases and promote international exchanges in the biopharmaceutical sector. At the ceremony, Zheng Wenjie, Head of Public Affairs and Patient Services Advocacy at Takeda China, and Cao Gang, Director of the Western Medicine Department of CCCMHPIE, signed the agreement. Meng Dongping, Party Secretary and Vice President of CCCMHPIE, Liu Yanwei, Head of the Registration Strategy Team at Takeda China, Mori Yūichirō, Deputy Consul-General of the Consulate General of Japan in Shanghai, and Huang Rufang, Founder and Director of the Cord Rare Disease Center, attended the ceremony and jointly witnessed the signing of the strategic cooperation agreement.

Rare diseases are a global challenge, with over 7,000 types of rare diseases discovered so far, affecting more than 300 million patients worldwide.^[1]. There are about 20 million rare disease patients in China.^[2]. Due to the low incidence rate, the treatment and drug development for rare diseases lag far behind those of common diseases. Currently, less than 5% of rare diseases have available treatments. Among the 121 rare diseases defined in China,^[3], 35 rare diseases face a global lack of medication, and 9 rare diseases still face the challenge of having medication available overseas but not in China.^[4]。

Meng Dongping, Secretary of the Party Committee and Vice President of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Medicines and Health Products, mentioned that currently, a people-centered approach and attention to public health are becoming focal points of China's social reform, with rare disease patients receiving increasing care. The Chinese government has achieved positive results in ensuring the development support, approval, market entry, and medical insurance access for rare disease drugs, bringing significant opportunities for pharmaceutical innovation. This has greatly improved the accessibility and availability of medicines for rare disease patients. Secretary Meng stated that further enhancing care and attention to the rare disease industry requires policy support, scientific research exploration, industrial backing, and capital assistance. It is necessary to continuously promote the industrialization and modernization of healthcare, creating a comprehensive system of co-construction, co-governance, and sharing. The Chamber is willing to deepen cooperation with Takeda and hopes both parties will work closely together to advance the international development of the rare disease industry, benefiting more rare disease patients and jointly contributing to the realization of the 'Healthy China 2030' strategic goals.

Liu Yanwei, Head of Takeda China's Registration Strategy Team, stated: "As a global innovative biopharmaceutical company centered on patients and based on core values, Takeda has been deeply committed to the rare disease field for many years, continuously accelerating R&D innovation to bring more innovative therapies to rare disease patients in China. At the same time, we actively collaborate with domestic partners to enhance the accessibility of medications for rare disease patients. Takeda highly recognizes the contributions made by the Chamber of Commerce for Pharmaceuticals over the years in promoting high-quality industry development. Through this collaboration, we hope both parties can fully leverage their respective strengths to further improve the supply assurance of innovative drugs for rare diseases, promote the continuous refinement of regulatory policies, and contribute to the realization of the 'Healthy China 2030' strategic goals."

Yūichirō Mori, Deputy Consul-General of the Consulate-General of Japan in Shanghai, pointed out that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China. Health is a common issue faced by both Japan and China. In the future, the two countries should also take into account the needs of people living in modern society and explore new developments. Medicine is an important means of maintaining health, and it is expected that the cooperation between Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited and the Medical Insurance Chamber of Commerce will further promote the exchange and development of the health sector between Japan and China.

Huang Rufang, founder and director of the Cord Rare Disease Center, stated, "As a rare disease patient organization, we appreciate and are pleased to see deeper and broader participation from enterprises, business associations, the government, and other parties in China's rare disease initiatives. We look forward to the cooperation between the Pharmaceutical Chamber of Commerce and Takeda, which will further accelerate the entry of innovative rare disease drugs from abroad into the Chinese market, meeting patients' clinical needs. This collaboration is expected to enhance communication among all parties, resolve bottlenecks in the supply of rare disease drugs, ensure continuous access to medications for rare disease patients, and bring more hope to those living with rare diseases!"

[1] CCTV.com. "Rare but Not Alone" Focus on Rare Diseases, Focus on Our Future [EB/OL]. (2022-04-24) [2022-10-31] http://news.cctv.com/2022/02/24/ARTIQF6Zzjw3l6paiisJmcw3220224.shtml

[2] Sina Finance. "People's Daily Focuses on Rare Diseases: Though the Diseases Are Rare, Care Should Not Be Rare" [EB/OL]. (2022-02-28)[2022-10-31] https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1725995945556190368&wfr=spider&for=pc

[3],[4] Illness Challenge Foundation, Sullivan. 2022 China Rare Disease Industry Trend Observation Report [EB/OL]. (2022-02-27) [2022-10-31] https://ff.lingxi360.com/formfill?fid=OETDxa8DotJds&utm_bccid=LXEKbpVZI5AXb2SX&disable_autofill=0.

Statement:

1. This article aims to convey cutting-edge pharmaceutical information and does not constitute a recommendation or promotion of any drug or treatment plan.
2. If you want to learn more about disease knowledge or drug and treatment-related information, please consult a healthcare professional.
3. This material is for use only at the 2022 China International Import Expo.