Roche Launches Its First Global Accelerator in Zhangjiang, Shanghai, in Collaboration with Hillhouse Capital
Roche
Oncology Drug Research, Development, and Manufacturing
The successive introduction of measures to accelerate the review and approval of innovative drugs, fast-track the domestic market entry of overseas new drugs, implement the Marketing Authorization Holder (MAH) system for pharmaceuticals, and encourage high-quality innovative drugs to align with international standards, coupled with the successive rollout of landmark policies such as 《Opinions on Deepening the Reform of the Review and Approval System to Encourage Innovation in Drugs and Medical Devices》, has accelerated the development of the entire healthcare industry chain. Consequently, domestic innovative pharmaceutical and medical device enterprises have sprung up rapidly. Big Pharma companies at the pinnacle of the industry, along with top-tier capital actively driving industrial progress, swiftly felt the momentum of this powerful wave.
To bring more high-quality pharmaceuticals and medical devices to market and deliver them to patients in need, established pharmaceutical enterprises and high-quality capital in the healthcare industry are fully leveraging their respective strengths. Aligning with relevant national incentive policies, they are actively utilizing their robust resources to empower the development of the domestic healthcare innovation ecosystem, thereby facilitating the rapid growth of startups. As the 2020 "double champion" in both global revenue and R&D investment in the pharmaceutical and diagnostics sectors, Roche is clearly at the forefront of this trend, actively partnering with top-tier Chinese investors and industrial park authorities to strengthen support and assistance for startups.
May 18,Roche Group announced the official launch of the Roche China Accelerator at the Roche Campus in Zhangjiang High-Tech Park, Shanghai.At the launch ceremony that day, Roche signed strategic cooperation agreements with Hillhouse Capital and Zhangjiang Group, respectively. Ms. Zong Ming, Vice Mayor of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government, along with representatives from the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization, the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, and the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission, as well as officials from the Pudong New Area Government, the Zhangjiang Management Committee, Zhangjiang Group, and Hillhouse Capital, Dr. Thomas Schinecker, CEO of the Roche Group, Dr. William Pao, Head of Global Drug Research and Early Development at Roche, and executives from Roche China, jointly attended and witnessed this significant moment.
On-site Photo of the Roche China Accelerator Launch Ceremony
As a major strategic investment project of the Roche Group,The Roche China Accelerator is Roche's first global accelerator independently established and operated.Through close collaboration with capital and the government, Roche aims to leverage this accelerator to actively drive the accelerated development of healthcare innovation in China, empowering the cultivation of a domestic healthcare innovation ecosystem.
VCBeat has learned that Roche, in order toInnovative drugs, diagnostics and personalized medicine, artificial intelligence, and other fieldspersonalized support programs for startups, and has already invested over RMB 200 million in the establishment of the Roche China Accelerator. For startups joining the Roche China Accelerator, Roche will fully empower them with its robust global resources and competitive advantages, supporting their development and growth through agile and flexible collaboration models.
Specifically,Participating startups can access Roche’s end-to-end localized resource support spanning from early-stage R&D to late-stage commercialization, including scientific and technical guidance, commercial strategy guidance, and operational support, along with opportunities to secure financial support in the form of research grants.
The newly constructed Roche Accelerator Building, located in Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Pudong New Area, is projected to span over 5,000 square meters and will be completed and operational in the first quarter of 2022. Going forward, the Roche Shanghai Innovation Center and global R&D scientists from the Roche Group will actively participate and share expertise, provide high-quality laboratories and office spaces for entrepreneurs, and establish partnerships based on mutual voluntariness and complementarity. Through this accelerator, the initiative aims to incubate a portfolio of startups poised to secure leading positions in global innovation.
At the launch ceremony on May 18, Dr. Thomas Schinecker, Chief Executive Officer of the Roche Group, and Dr. William Pao, Head of Global Drug Discovery & Early Development at Roche, participated online and expressed their confidence in the Chinese market and their expectations for the accelerator. Dr. Schinecker stated: "The Chinese market is a key component of Roche's global strategy, and Roche is committed to establishing Shanghai as its third largest global strategic hub, following Basel and San Francisco.This launch will accelerate this process, and Roche will continue to uphold its long-term commitment to the Chinese market, continuously increasing its investment in innovative R&D in China to advance the development of China's healthcare industry.”
Dr. William Pao also stated: "At Roche, we drive innovation in medicines and healthcare solutions through science, and we are committed to accelerating global healthcare innovation. Through the Roche China Accelerator, we aim to inspire and empower scientists and entrepreneurs, unlocking greater creativity to advance medical progress, make sustainable contributions to the health of people in China and worldwide, and work together to create a better future."
Such as Keyin Biotech, Anrui Biotech, and Yituo Pharma, among others.
In 1994, Roche officially entered China, becoming the first multinational corporation to establish operations in Zhangjiang, Shanghai. Over the past 27 years, Roche has deeply cultivated the Chinese market and was the first among major multinational pharmaceutical companies to establish a complete pharmaceutical value chain encompassing research, development, manufacturing, and marketing. Upholding its long-term commitment to China, Roche strives to deliver world-class, differentiated medicines and diagnostic solutions to Chinese patients.
Research and development capabilities are the foundation for Roche's continuous development and progress.As early as 2004, Roche established its China Research and Development Center, which was the first R&D center established by Roche in an emerging market, as well as the first wholly-owned R&D center established by a multinational pharmaceutical company in Shanghai,Primarily engaged in the research and early development of pharmaceuticals. In 2007, the Roche Global Drug Development Shanghai Center was established. The center facilitated and accelerated the clinical development and regulatory registration of Roche's innovative medicines in China, and in 2009, it was integrated into Roche's Global Drug Development network, becoming one of its five global drug development centers. In 2019, Roche made an additional investment of RMB 863 million to upgrade the R&D center into the new Roche Shanghai Innovation Center, continuously strengthening its drug R&D capabilities in immunology while establishing its R&D capabilities in oncology.
Meanwhile, Roche has also strategically expanded its presence in other active pharmaceutical R&D hubs across China.In 2014, Roche established a new Asia-Pacific production base and R&D center for Roche Diagnostics in the Suzhou Industrial Park, with a cumulative investment of USD 479 million. Although the pandemic outbreak in early 2020 pressed the global pause button, the Roche Group remained unwavering in its strategic commitment to the Chinese market. It even set the "China 2030" goal during the pandemic, deciding to continuously increase its investment in R&D in China.
The Roche China Accelerator is another strategic innovation initiative by Roche, following the inauguration of the Roche Shanghai Innovation Center in 2019. The establishment of the Roche China Accelerator is a collaborative effort between Roche and its strategic partners, includingZhangjiang Group, GL Venturesetc., jointly supporting the incubation of domestic enterprises and unleashing the development potential of China's healthcare industry.
The robust partnership among the three parties underscores the substantial resources that resident enterprises will gain access to.In addition to accessing Roche's end-to-end localized resources spanning from early-stage R&D to late-stage commercialization, such as scientific and technical guidance, commercial strategy advisory, operational support, and research grants, startups joining the Roche China Accelerator can also enjoyThe preferential policy support provided by Zhangjiang Group, GL Ventures’ years of accumulated investment experience and resource empowerment in the healthcare sector, and the park’s excellent innovation and entrepreneurship atmosphereThis further enhances the value for accelerator-participating companies, providing a wealth of opportunities for inter-enterprise collaboration and networking.
Photo of Roche China Representative Delivering a Speech
“Roche was the first multinational pharmaceutical company to settle in Shanghai Zhangjiang. Over our 27 years rooted in China, we have witnessed so many ‘firsts’ on this land,” said Ms. Zhou Hong, President of Roche Pharmaceuticals China. “Diseases know no nationality, and innovation knows no borders. The launch of the Roche Accelerator China marks a pivotal shift for Roche from introducing global innovations to incubating local ones, demonstrating our commitment to building China into a global innovation hub. Guided by the principle of ‘putting patients first,’ we will continue to collaborate with a broad network of partners to co-create a healthcare ecosystem, advance Chinese R&D onto the global stage, and accelerate access to innovations for patients in China and worldwide.”
Faced with such a compelling growth opportunity, as a high-potential startup, can you hardly contain your excitement and wish to join this accelerator platform with immense growth potential as soon as possible? If you would like to learn more aboutHow to Apply to Join the Roche China AcceleratorFor detailed information, please log in tohttps://accelerator.roche.com.cnAvailable at the website.