Multinational Pharma Giants Ramp Up Investments and Product Launches in China Market in 2022

　　【Pharmaceutical Network Industry DynamicsRecently, AstraZeneca participated in the third Qingdao Summit for Leaders of Multinational Corporations. Using this platform, AstraZeneca officially announced an expansion of its investment in China, with plans to invest in the construction of a production and supply base in Qingdao, Shandong, and establish a regional headquarters, fully demonstrating the continued confidence of multinational corporations in China's economy.
 

During the meeting, AstraZeneca and the Qingdao Municipal Government held in-depth discussions on how to promote the innovative development of Qingdao's biopharmaceutical industry. To further deepen the cooperation, both parties officially signed a Memorandum of Cooperation, announcing the establishment of AstraZeneca’s China Regional Headquarters in Qingdao, along with an innovation center focused on rare diseases, a life science innovation park, and an industrial fund.
 

In addition, AstraZeneca also announced plans to invest in the construction of a production and supply base for Budesonide/Glycopyrronium/Formoterol inhalation aerosol in Qingdao's High-tech Industrial Development Zone. This follows the establishment of production and supply bases in Wuxi and Taizhou, Jiangsu Province, marking another significant industrial layout by AstraZeneca in China. The industry views this move as furthering AstraZeneca’s long-term commitment to being rooted in China and serving China.
 

In fact, in recent years, a large number of multinational pharmaceutical companies have been continuously "increasing their investment" in the Chinese market. As a representative company, AstraZeneca held an online signing ceremony for the AstraZeneca Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Innovation Industry Base with Chengdu High-tech Zone on April 22 during the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2022. It is reported that this innovation industry base will start from AstraZeneca's own areas of expertise in treatment, focus on the modernization of the TCM industry, rely on the guidance of academician experts in scientific research transformation and industrial development, and create a one-stop TCM incubation industry empowerment platform. Currently, it has started to connect with many academicians and TCM experts for the transformation of achievements and project settlement.
 

The industry believes that the project will be another significant attempt by AstraZeneca in the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) industry. According to the signed agreement, the AstraZeneca TCM Innovation Industrial Base that has been established will focus on the modernization of the TCM industry. Led by academician experts, it will promote scientific research transformation and industrial development, creating a one-stop TCM incubation industrial empowerment platform. This includes a new research and development institution, a modern innovative TCM industry service platform, a one-stop TCM clinical R&D transformation platform, and a modern TCM commercial platform.
 

Notably, apart from expanding investments, multinational pharmaceutical companies are also accelerating the introduction of new drugs into China. It is understood that a large number of foreign pharmaceutical companies, including Bayer, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi, Pfizer, Novartis, Merck & Co., and GlaxoSmithKline, are currently positioning themselves in China's chronic disease market.
 

According to Sanofi's plan: By 2025, it will introduce more than 30 innovative drugs and vaccines to China. In 2022, Sanofi plans to launch four innovative drugs in the field of chronic diseases in China, including the antiplatelet drug clopidogrel aspirin tablets (brand name: Duolivi), the antiarrhythmic drug dronedarone hydrochloride tablets (brand name: Maitalong), the cardiovascular innovation drug Zenon, and a new fixed-ratio combination drug of basal insulin and GLP-1RA, iGlarLixi.
 

Moreover, AstraZeneca plans to bring 55 new drugs and indications to the Chinese market within five years; Eli Lilly plans to launch 50 new drugs and indications in China within 7-10 years; Bristol-Myers Squibb plans to introduce 30 new products and indications to the Chinese market within five years; Takeda plans to introduce more than 15 innovative drugs to the Chinese market within five years; Novo Nordisk plans to introduce 10 innovative drugs to the Chinese market within 7-8 years…
 

Overall, multinational pharmaceutical companies are continuously increasing their presence in China's pharmaceutical market, which indicates that they are highly optimistic about the development prospects of the Chinese market. In the future, against the backdrop of China's pharmaceutical market constantly transforming and upgrading towards high-quality development, it is expected that multinational pharmaceutical companies will target and tap into the Chinese market more precisely.
 

Disclaimer: In any case, the information or opinions expressed in this article do not constitute investment advice to any person.