Joining Hands in Pandemic Prevention: Zhifei Biological and BD Announce Strategic Collaboration

On April 27, 2021, Chongqing Zhifei Biological Products Co., Ltd., a major domestic vaccine manufacturer, and BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), a global medical technology giant ranked among the Fortune 500, signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Chongqing. Leveraging their respective strengths in vaccine research and development and production, as well as in pre-filled syringe technology and supply chain management for pharmaceuticals, the two parties aim to accelerate the advancement of China’s immunization program infrastructure and actively contribute to alleviating global pressures on vaccine administration and epidemic prevention and control.

In response to the Outline of “Healthy China 2030,” the starting point for this strategic partnership is to enhance the efficiency, accessibility, and safety of the entire vaccine lifecycle—including production, storage, transportation, and administration—within the framework of “strengthening the prevention and control of major infectious diseases” and “continuing to expand the National Immunization Program,” thereby meeting the needs of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCs), healthcare institutions, and the general public. Leveraging its advantages in products, technology, and services, BD, as the preferred supplier of pharmaceutical packaging materials for Chongqing Zhifei Biological Products Co., Ltd., aims to collaborate in helping vaccine enterprise clients tailor forward-looking and sustainable supply chain management models. This initiative seeks to achieve refined, end-to-end management characterized by high-efficiency vaccine production, high-stability storage and transportation, and high-safety vaccination practices.

Jiang Rensheng, Chairman of Zhifei Biological Products, stated, “As a research, development, and manufacturing enterprise specializing in vaccines and biological products, Zhifei Biological Products has established a robust cycle mechanism through its ‘technology + market’ dual-drive model, fostering mutual conversion and reinforcement between R&D and marketing. This approach has accelerated the process of translating products from R&D into market value, gradually building unique core competencies. The strategic partnership with BD will further enhance vaccine production management efficiency, achieve refined operations, support the advancement of China’s immunization programs, improve vaccine management standards, and enable more patients to access higher-quality vaccination and disease prevention services.”

At the signing ceremony, Deng Jianmin, Senior Vice President of BD Worldwide and General Manager of Greater China, stated, “Guided by our value orientation of innovative operational management, empowering immunization programs, and leading the development of the health industry, this collaboration between BD Medical and Chongqing Zhifei Biological Products Co., Ltd. will further expand the achievements of our partnership. Meanwhile, BD Medical remains committed to its ‘In China, for China’ philosophy, providing Chinese pharmaceutical enterprises with packaging material technical solutions that include the world’s most advanced products and comprehensive value-added services. In the future, BD Medical will continue to broaden innovative collaborations with China’s vaccine industry, working together to contribute to the health of people in China and around the world.”

As a business unit serving Chinese pharmaceutical enterprises, BD’s Pharmaceutical Systems business in Greater China has gained widespread recognition within China’s pharmaceutical industry. Lu Liang, Vice President of Pharmaceutical Systems at BD China, stated, “Through forward-looking forecasting and rolling updates in supply chain management, we have effectively safeguarded the operational efficiency and refined management capabilities of vaccine manufacturers. By introducing globally advanced pre-filled syringe technologies, we have further enhanced the efficacy of end-user vaccination services. Moreover, by reducing waste from residual drug solutions and improving vaccination efficiency, we facilitate the optimal flow of medical supplies and maximize human resource utilization within healthcare institutions, thereby contributing to the elevation of overall healthcare service standards.”

The two parties have reached a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement on key projects, including the Mycobacterium vaccae vaccine (for individuals with tuberculosis infection), influenza virus split-virus vaccine, 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine, 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, and recombinant protein-based COVID-19 vaccine. This marks a milestone in deepening China’s domestic vaccine manufacturing capabilities and advancing disease immunization and prevention. Furthermore, the two parties will explore new collaborative opportunities in the biopharmaceutical sector, jointly investigating the application of novel self-injection devices and safety-engineered devices to lead the industry’s steady development.