Global Innovative Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices to Debut at the Fifth China International Import Expo

The 5th China International Import Expo (CIIE) will officially open in Shanghai on November 5. As with previous editions of the CIIE, this year will see the debut of several innovative drugs in China. Multinational companies such as Organon, Sanofi, and Roche will showcase their innovative products at the event, some of which will be making their first appearance in China.

 

 

At this CIIE, Roche Pharmaceuticals will join hands with Roche Diagnostics to present a full product portfolio of nearly 30 products that are already on the market or about to be launched. This includes global product debuts and innovative solutions. In addition to several blockbuster products that have already been launched in China, nearly 10 globally innovative products that are about to enter the Chinese market will also be showcased, covering major disease areas such as hematology, breast cancer, ophthalmology, and neuroscience.

 

In the field of hematology, Roche's globally first ADC drug (antibody-drug conjugate) targeting CD79b, Polivy (polatuzumab vedotin), and an innovative drug for rare blood diseases, Crovalimab, will be exhibited. Among them, Crovalimab is expected to become the first innovative drug in the industry to be launched in China ahead of Europe and the United States, marking its debut in China and filling the treatment gap for Chinese patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.

 

In the field of breast cancer, Roche will introduce Phesgo, the world's first compound formulation of subcutaneous injection for breast cancer anti-HER2 pertuzumab and trastuzumab, which is about to be launched in China. This drug can significantly reduce administration time with a single 5-8 minute subcutaneous injection. In the field of ophthalmology, the world’s first bispecific antibody, Faricimab, will also be showcased, which has already been approved for marketing in Europe and the United States.

In addition to showcasing global innovative products and cutting-edge technologies, Roche will also present several breakthrough innovations, covering major disease areas such as hematology, breast cancer, lung cancer, neuroscience, and broad-spectrum anti-tumor treatments.

 

 

Since its spin-off and listing from Merck last year, Organon will make its official debut at the CIIE as an independently operated company for the first time. At this exhibition, Organon will focus on its innovative layout for safeguarding the "full reproductive cycle" and "entire life cycle" of women and their families, showcasing its innovative achievements and solutions in the two major business areas of women's health and classic brands.

 

In the field of fertility and reproduction, Organon will showcase the only single-rod subdermal contraceptive implant approved in China, the etonogestrel implant, a new long-acting ovulation induction injection for assisted reproduction — Elonva (corifollitropin alfa), and an innovative medical device for treating postpartum hemorrhage. Among these, the innovative medical device for treating postpartum hemorrhage has been shortlisted for the Galien Award's "Best Medical Technology Award." Organon plans to introduce this product to China as soon as possible to help Chinese women and healthcare professionals better address this serious childbirth complication that threatens the lives of mothers.

 

Focusing on the disease areas of the "entire life cycle," Organon will also showcase several classic brand products. Among them, the innovative hyperlipidemia treatment drug Ezetimibe Atorvastatin Calcium Tablets will make its debut at the CIIE. This drug has already been approved for marketing in the EU, and Organon plans to introduce it to China as soon as possible.

 

 

At this exhibition, Sanofi Pasteur will present the China debut of Beyfortus (nirsevimab), an innovative preventive solution for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). This product is a long-acting monoclonal antibody under research, designed for all infants, capable of protecting them from RSV disease through a single injection from birth to their first RSV season. It is jointly developed by Sanofi and AstraZeneca.

 

RSV is the most common pathogen causing lower respiratory tract infections in infants, including bronchiolitis and pneumonia. RSV is also the leading cause of global infant hospitalization, with the majority of hospitalizations occurring in healthy full-term infants. Currently, there are no preventive measures for RSV in China, and treatment is limited to symptom relief.

 

Beyfortus helps prevent respiratory syncytial virus-associated lower respiratory tract infections in newborns and infants by directly providing antibodies. Unlike active immunization mechanisms, which require the activation of the human immune system, monoclonal antibodies offer immediate, rapid, and direct immune protection.

 

Beyfortus has not yet been approved for marketing, but it has received accelerated development designations from multiple regulatory agencies worldwide. These include the "Breakthrough Therapy Designation" granted by the Center for Drug Evaluation of China's National Medical Products Administration, the Breakthrough Therapy Designation awarded by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Priority Medicines (PRIME) designation by the European Medicines Agency, the "Breakthrough Innovative Medicine" qualification from the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, and the "Priority Development Drug" status within the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development’s program to promote the development of new pediatric drugs. In September this year, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use of the European Medicines Agency recommended the approval of Beyfortus for the prevention of RSV disease in infants. Once approved, it will become the first RSV preventive measure that can be widely used in newborns and infants.

 

Reporters from The Beijing News, Wang Kala, Proofread by Lu Qian