Johnson & Johnson Accelerates 'Boao Innovation Chain' to Bridge Global Medical Technologies with China

Boao, Hainan, April 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --April 10“Healthy Hainan – Lecheng Tour” and the “Never-Ending” International Innovative Drugs and Medical Devices Exhibition officially opened in the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone. Johnson & Johnson China showcased multiple innovative technologies and products from its business portfolios, including electrophysiology, ophthalmology, breast and aesthetics, orthopedics, and surgery. On the same day, Johnson & Johnson released the interim report of a real-world data study on the Catalys Femtosecond Laser System for cataract surgery, aiming to accelerate the registration and application of this innovative product in mainland China.、A solid step forward has been taken to benefit the eye health of the general public.

Shlomi Nachman, Global Chairman of the Johnson & Johnson MedTech Cardiovascular and Specialty Solutions Group and the Johnson & Johnson Vision Group, attended the opening ceremony via remote connection from the United States to congratulate the successful holding of the International Medical Device Exhibition. He stated, “The Chinese market possesses strong development potential. The public’s pursuit of high-quality medical services and the market’s anticipation for innovative technologies will continue to establish China as a global innovation engine. In the future, the company will continue to accelerate the deployment of innovative medical products and solutions in China, as well as strengthen local innovation, R&D, and high-end manufacturing capabilities, to better and more swiftly serve Chinese patients and address urgent healthcare needs worldwide, contributing jointly to the Healthy China initiative.”

The Johnson & Johnson Vision Catalys Femtosecond Laser Ophthalmic Treatment System is the first equipment product introduced in the Boao Lecheng Pilot Zone. Following the successful performance of the first Catalys femtosecond laser cataract surgery at Boao Super Hospital in November 2019, over 100 procedures have been completed to date, benefiting more than 70 cataract patients with this innovative technology. According to the “Interim Report on Real-World Study of Catalys Femtosecond Laser Cataract Surgery” released today, as one of the leading femtosecond laser treatment systems globally, the Johnson & Johnson Vision Catalys system helps enhance surgical precision and safety, delivering favorable postoperative outcomes.

Wang Liping, General Manager of Johnson & Johnson Vision in China, stated, “Johnson & Johnson Vision remains committed to bringing globally leading innovative products to China to improve people’s eye health. We are pleased to see that an increasing number of cataract patients are regaining their sight and enhancing their quality of life through the Johnson & Johnson Vision Catalys system. Leveraging the pioneering policies in Boao, we can more rapidly obtain real-world clinical evidence, thereby accelerating the approval and market launch of global innovative products in China.”

“Based on the practice and data accumulated in this study to date, the use of the Catalys system to perform corneal incisions, anterior capsulotomy, and lens fragmentation in adult subjects according to indicated indications has demonstrated favorable success rates. Furthermore, as secondary endpoints of the study, both monocular uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) and monocular best-corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA) at four weeks postoperatively showed significant improvement compared with preoperative values. One patient had a preoperative binocular visual acuity of only 0.01 and a high degree of nuclear sclerosis. Following the procedure, this patient’s postoperative visual acuity recovered to 1.2,” stated Professor Chen Wei, Principal Investigator of the Catalys Femtosecond Laser Cataract Real-World Study, Vice President of the Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, and Director of the Ophthalmology Center at Boao Super Hospital, while analyzing the interim report.

“With a try-it-and-see attitude, my family signed me up for the patient recruitment program at Boao Super Hospital. I never expected that I could regain my sight and recover so quickly. Being able to see my family clearly again fills me with immense joy! I am grateful to the government and the hospital for bringing such beneficial policies to us ordinary citizens, introducing such advanced technology, and waiving our surgical fees,” said Aunt Li (pseudonym) cheerfully during her follow-up visit.

In addition to the Johnson & Johnson Vision Catalys Femtosecond Laser System, Johnson & Johnson also brought dozens of globally advanced innovative products and cutting-edge technologies to this international medical device exhibition, including the new generation TECNIS Symfony extended depth-of-focus intraocular lens for cataract surgery combined with presbyopia correction.^®Plus, ACUVUE®, which was named one of TIME magazine’s 50 Best Inventions in the World^®Oasys^®Full Vision^TMSmart light-sensing contact lenses, as well as the ATTUNE Biologically Rotating Platform Knee Prosthesis and the VIZIGO Curved Steerable Sheath, both recognized as the world’s first of their kind. These exhibits will be updated periodically to showcase Johnson & Johnson’s innovative capabilities across various fields and its steadfast commitment to serving the health and well-being of patients in China.

Johnson & Johnson was the earliest to collaborate with the Boao Lecheng Pilot Zone、One of the multinational healthcare companies in the district has introduced cutting-edge international innovative products and officially launched the “Johnson & Johnson Boao Innovation Chain” last December. It is committed to building an innovative integrated platform in the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, integrating the display of medical research achievements, technology promotion, product application, academic exchange, and high-end talent training. In the future, the “Johnson & Johnson Boao Innovation Chain” will further become an important link connecting domestic medical needs with advanced global medical technologies and products. The implementation of Johnson & Johnson Vision’s Catalys Femtosecond Laser System for ophthalmic treatment marks a significant milestone in advancing this strategy.