Reporter |
Editor |Xie Xin
The Fifth China International Import Expo (hereinafter referred to as "CIIE") is being held in Shanghai. So far, the spillover effects of the CIIE have been continuously emerging, not only has the transformation of exhibits into commodities been constantly accelerating and expanding, but also the transformation of exhibitors into investors has been rapidly entering the "fast lane."
Many foreign giants use the CIIE to showcase their latest innovative products and solutions, meet more partners, explore cooperation opportunities, and also enable multiple innovative concepts and projects to successfully land with the boost of the CIIE. Among them, Sanofi S.A., from France,Global Vaccine GiantSanofi Vaccines is one of the members that have firmly increased their investment in China due to the CIIE.
On November 7, Zhang Heping, Head of Greater China for Sanofi Vaccines, told Interface News that Sanofi Vaccines has observed enormous demand and vigorous development potential in the Chinese market. The "Healthy China 2030" initiative, with its health strategy prioritizing prevention, and the establishment of a robust public health system have provided vast growth opportunities for the broader healthcare sector, including vaccines. Furthermore, China’s ongoing high-level opening-up and continuous improvement of the business environment in recent years have further strengthened Sanofi Vaccines' confidence to increase investment and deepen its commitment to the Chinese market.
In fact, as one of the first global healthcare companies to enter China, Sanofi has been active in the Chinese market for nearly 40 years. Sanofi Vaccines has a "long-standing connection" with CIIE, from participating as an exhibitor to deepening cooperation in China.
Zhang Heping introduced that on November 6, 2019, the second day of the second China International Import Expo (CIIE), the Shenzhen Municipal Government and Sanofi signed the "China-France Vaccine Innovation Strategic Cooperation Agreement" in the Great Hall of the People. Under the framework of the cooperation agreement, Sanofi Pasteur increased its investment and cooperation in China. In 2021, the first international vaccine innovation center in China, led by Sanofi Pasteur, was officially completed in Shenzhen.
Zhang Heping introduced that the innovation center focuses on vaccine ecosystem innovation, integrating functions such as vaccine innovation incubation, immersive science popularization of vaccine knowledge, exhibition of the history of vaccine development, and exchange and cooperation in the vaccine field.
Previously, on "BT" Avenue in Pingshan, Shenzhen, the vaccine factory invested in by Sanofi with 1.2 billion yuan has become the first and currently only foreign-funded vaccine factory in China, achieving localized production of influenza vaccines. According to Interface News, as of 2021, the designed production capacity of this vaccine factory reached 25 million doses.
Zhang Heping expressed that Sanofi Vaccines hopes to use the Vaccine Innovation Center as a space to establish an ecosystem, form an innovation alliance, and jointly upgrade the soft and hard infrastructure of public health. It also looks forward to the Innovation Center becoming the birthplace and incubator of new ideas and explorations in the international vaccine field, as well as a testing ground and accelerator for deeper global cooperation.
Moreover, Sanofi Vaccines has collaborated with Shenzhen CDC to launch the first "Urban Immunization Planning Strategy Model" in China. According to Interface News, this urban immunization planning strategy model is benchmarked against major cities such as Hong Kong, the United States, and the United Kingdom. It promotes influenza vaccine coverage among the population and jointly builds a big data epidemiological analysis model to evaluate the effectiveness of vaccination. This includes reducing student absenteeism and the resulting comprehensive benefits in health, social, and economic aspects.
In addition, Sanofi Vaccines has also built more local partnerships in China. In Zhang Heping's view, Chinese vaccine companies are gradually accelerating international cooperation. A large number of scientists and technical professionals from home and abroad are entering the Chinese vaccine field, and it is believed that the future development of Chinese vaccines will continue to improve, reaching world-class advanced levels.
According to The Paper's understanding，Sanofi Vaccines and Partners Jointly Create 5G Digital Clinic SolutionAnd has been implemented in some cities in China.。
Zhang Heping stated that, in terms of vaccine management, by utilizing 5G and IoT technologies, Sanofi Vaccines and its partners have proposed an integrated "software + hardware" solution. The solution consolidates multi-dimensional data, including vaccine information, cold chain information, inbound information, storage information, and vaccination information, achieving traceability in the vaccine distribution process as well as ensuring secure storage and "zero-error" vaccine retrieval in vaccination scenarios.
Zhang Heping introduced that in the vaccination process management section, the solution integrates five key components: informed consent, convenient appointment scheduling, intelligent triage, smart verification, and timed observation. Through an "Internet + digital" model, the entire vaccination process at outpatient clinics has been standardized, proceduralized, digitized (paperless), and made smart. Parents can conveniently access all vaccine-related information via the disease control APP or official account platform. After being fully informed of all vaccination requirements, they can easily access the online appointment portal with a single click to make an appointment. Upon arriving at the vaccination site, parents can independently take a number for waiting, while doctors at the vaccination site can rely on system support to fulfill the "three checks, seven verifications, and one validation" required by the Vaccine Administration Law. They also provide corresponding informed consent to ensure the safety and accuracy of the vaccination.
At this year's CIIE, Sanofi Vaccines also reached a strategic cooperation with Health Cloud (Shanghai) Digital Technology Co., Ltd. to jointly promote vaccine-preventable diseases and implement digital smart services for vaccination. In the future, both parties will work together to facilitate people's access to equitable and accessible immunization services through digital and innovative means, and to advance the construction and improvement of China’s disease prevention system.
At this year's CIIE, Sanofi Vaccines, together with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Zhiliaoyun Technology, unveiled a new generation of intelligent unmanned vaccine inoculation cabin. Sitting inside the new inoculation cabin, the vaccinator only needs to roll up their sleeve, expose the inoculation site, and the machine will complete the injection quickly after disinfection. The entire process takes an average of just 35 seconds.
Moreover, Beyfortus (nirsevimab), an innovative preventive measure for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) developed by Sanofi Vaccines, made its global debut at the CIIE. This is the world's first and only RSV prevention method that can be widely applied to infants.
Zhang Heping stated that Sanofi's vaccines start with vaccines but go beyond vaccines. In the long term, Sanofi Vaccines hopes to contribute to the development of China's public health system. In the future, Sanofi Vaccines will adhere to its vision of being rooted in China, continue to increase its investment in China, constantly optimize its strategic layout in China, and actively drive the entire chain innovation and upgrade of China’s vaccine industry. It will also work with all partners to further expand the service boundaries of vaccine industry enterprises.