Global Innovators Drive 'Healthy China' Initiative with Cutting-Edge Medical Solutions

The Medical Devices and Healthcare Products exhibition area has consistently been a highlight at past editions of the China International Import Expo (CIIE). At this CIIE, this section spans three exhibition halls, covering an area of 70,000 square meters, with over 350 enterprises from more than 33 countries and regions participating, including over 70 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry-leading enterprises.

Numerous exhibitors showcase innovation and foster collaboration here, presenting the future landscape of the global health industry while demonstrating their determination and confidence to take root in the Chinese market and contribute to the "Healthy China" initiative.

　Global Showcase for Innovation

At this year's CIIE, the number of new products and technologies making their debut in the Medical Equipment and Healthcare Products exhibition area far surpasses that of the previous three editions, with exhibitors showcasing their respective "signature technologies" and "exclusive products."

Johnson & Johnson participated in the exhibition, showcasing its four major business sectors and hundreds of innovative products, including 7 "global debuts", 3 "Asia debuts", and 60 "China debuts". A steady stream of visitors stopped by the Johnson & Johnson booth to learn about and experience the exhibits firsthand.

Among them, the NuVision 4D Intracardiac Echocardiography Catheter Diagnostic System, making its “Asian debut”, is the world’s first real-time intracardiac 3D modeling ultrasound system. Its camera-equipped catheter, with a diameter of only 3.33 mm, can be inserted into the cardiac chambers via minimally invasive femoral vein puncture, providing comprehensive, real-time visualization of the 3D anatomical structures of the heart, thereby enabling precise diagnosis of structural heart diseases and assisting in the surgical treatment of complex arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation.

Cancer remains an intractable disease for humanity and a key strategic focus for numerous multinational pharmaceutical companies dedicating substantial resources. Innovative oncology therapeutics have also become the centerpiece of exhibitors' displays.

Takeda Pharmaceutical prominently highlighted its innovative products and breakthrough therapies in gastroenterology, oncology, rare diseases, and blood products. For example, Takeda showcased two innovative lung cancer treatments: mobocertinib and brigatinib tablets. The former marks the first time Takeda China has submitted a marketing authorization application simultaneously with the global submission; it was officially accepted by the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in July this year and has been granted priority review and approval. The latter has been approved for use in Boao Lecheng, Hainan, since August this year under the "pilot and early-access" policy.

Another renowned multinational pharmaceutical company, Bayer, showcased medical innovations including those in oncology, diabetes management, cardiovascular health, and cell and gene therapy.

The COVID-19 pandemic has further heightened the Chinese public's awareness of vaccination, and vaccine products have also become one of the most prominently featured product categories in the medical exhibition area.

GlaxoSmithKline showcased its products and technologies at the medical exhibition zone, including the hepatitis B vaccine Engerix-B, the bivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) adsorbed vaccine Cervarix, the zoster vaccine Shingrix, and its patented adjuvant system. Among these, Shingrix is the only vaccine product included in China's 2018 inaugural List of Overseas New Drugs in Urgent Clinical Need, and it was officially launched in China in 2020.

A Magnet for Collaboration

The successful hosting of previous editions of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) has increasingly highlighted its role as a platform for investment promotion and open cooperation. This is particularly evident in the Medical Equipment and Healthcare Products Zone, where numerous exhibitors gather to discuss collaboration and seek win-win outcomes, fully showcasing the "cooperative magnetism" of the healthcare exhibition area.

In addition to showcasing its own development achievements in China, AstraZeneca prominently featured its collaborative outcomes with partners in fields such as R&D innovation and primary healthcare. Meanwhile, AstraZeneca dedicated a 100-square-meter exhibition space for regional biopharmaceutical industry collaboration to facilitate locally tailored activities, including industry promotion, policy interpretation, project roadshows, and business matchmaking.

Wang Lei, Executive Vice President and President of International & China at AstraZeneca, said: “The CIIE serves as both the culmination of our achievement reporting and the starting point for partnership negotiations.”

The Chinese market is vast and highly distinctive. It is a consensus among numerous exhibitors that driving innovation through cooperation is essential for effectively expanding into the Chinese market.

At this year's China International Import Expo (CIIE), Boehringer Ingelheim entered into a partnership with Shanghai ZJ Bio-Tech Co., Ltd. Wang Bin, General Manager of Boehringer Ingelheim BioPharma (China) Co., Ltd., stated that leveraging the CIIE platform to collaborate with ZJ Bio-Tech will enable Boehringer Ingelheim to innovate its business model and extend the benefits of domestic innovations to patients worldwide.

Meanwhile, GlaxoSmithKline signed a memorandum of cooperation with Baidu Health. The two parties will leverage internet technologies to conduct public health education and promote preventive health awareness. Using herpes zoster prevention as a pilot initiative, they will jointly enhance middle-aged and elderly individuals' understanding of the disease, strengthen disease prevention awareness, and improve their self-health management capabilities and health literacy.

Supported by favorable policies, the Hainan Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone is authorized to conduct pilot trials of numerous internationally advanced medical technologies, equipment, and pharmaceuticals, making it a critical strategic hub for multinational pharmaceutical companies expanding into the Chinese market. At this CIIE, the Boao Lecheng Pilot Zone Administration has also emerged as a "highly sought-after partner" for numerous exhibitors seeking cooperation.

Novo Nordisk and the Administration of the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone signed a Memorandum of Strategic Cooperation, leveraging the pilot zone’s policy advantages of "special access and pilot implementation." Focusing on chronic diseases, the collaboration will utilize the commercialization of innovative drugs, physician training and market preparation, and chronic disease management models as entry points to accelerate the introduction of Novo Nordisk's latest innovative products.

The "Gathering" Hub of the CIIE Effect

Since the China International Import Expo (CIIE) was launched, its influence has continued to grow, and the "spillover effect" has become increasingly pronounced.

On the eve of the 4th China International Import Expo (CIIE), Dupixent, Sanofi’s treatment for atopic dermatitis, received approval for an adolescent indication. Benefiting from the “spillover effect” of the CIIE, Dupixent was first approved for commercial launch in China in June 2020, two years ahead of schedule. Subsequently, the drug went from regulatory approval to supply in just 25 days, setting a new record for the fastest market launch of a biologic in China, and was included in the National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) just five months after its launch.

Lijuan Xie, General Manager of Sanofi Genzyme China, said: “The Chinese government's strong support for healthcare innovation, along with its solid measures to accelerate the market launch of new drugs and enhance drug accessibility, inspires us to fast-track the introduction of global 'first-in-class, best-in-class' innovative drugs into China.”

Aided by the "CIIE effect," the accelerated market launch of Dupixent in China is not an isolated case. Leveraging the "spillover effect" of the CIIE, Novartis’s innovative ophthalmic drug Beovu will also be launched in the Greater Bay Area. At this CIIE, Novartis (China) and C-MER International Eye Hospital Group (China) Co., Ltd. established a strategic partnership. In accordance with relevant regulations of Guangdong Province, both parties will jointly enhance the accessibility of Beovu for patients in the Greater Bay Area.

Shan Guohong, Senior Vice President of Takeda Global and President of Takeda China, stated: “Since the previous China International Import Expo (CIIE), Takeda has accelerated the approval or market launch of 9 innovative products and new indications. 4 innovative drugs under development have been included in the ‘Breakthrough Therapy Designation’ in China, and 8 innovative drugs have been added to the Special Permission List of the Hainan Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, among which 1 innovative drug has already been launched in the pilot zone.”

The favorable development momentum continues to drive Takeda's expansion journey in China. At this edition of the CIIE, Takeda announced that it will further increase its investment in its China-based R&D system, focusing on four key dimensions: enhancing R&D capabilities, advancing cutting-edge technologies, strengthening ecosystem collaboration, and intensifying talent development.