Johnson & Johnson Launches 'Boao Innovation Chain' to Deepen Commitment to the Chinese Market

Qionghai, HainanDecember 9, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, Johnson & Johnson announced the official launch of the "Johnson & Johnson Boao Innovation Chain," dedicated to building an innovative integrated platform in the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone. This platform integrates the display of medical research achievements, technology promotion, product application, academic exchange, and training of high-end talents, actively promoting the implementation of cutting-edge technologies in the healthcare field and more innovative medical products urgently needed for clinical use. Song Weiqun, Chairman of Johnson & Johnson China, Gu Gang, Director of the Administration Bureau of Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, along with leaders from the Hainan Provincial Health Commission and the Hainan Provincial Drug Administration, jointly attended the press conference on the progress of the implementation of the Johnson & Johnson-Boao Lecheng strategic cooperation agreement and witnessed the unveiling of the "Johnson & Johnson Boao Innovation Chain."

Johnson & Johnson is one of the earliest multinational healthcare companies to collaborate with the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, introducing cutting-edge international innovative products into the zone. Last December, Johnson & Johnson completed China’s first fully visualized cardiac procedure with dual magnetic and electrical localization at Boao Super Hospital. This was also the first electrophysiology procedure performed at Boao Super Hospital using an innovative product introduced through the “green channel” under the pilot policies (the “Nine National Measures”) of the Boao Lecheng Pilot Zone, achieving near-simultaneous market launch of the product in both China and the United States.

This October, the Johnson & Johnson Global Executive Committee and its China management team jointly launched the “Johnson & Johnson China Innovation Engine,” aiming to further deepen its development in China and collaborate with stakeholders across sectors to advance a healthier future. In November, at the Second China International Import Expo, Johnson & Johnson signed a letter of intent for strategic cooperation with the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone in Hainan Province, supporting the pilot zone’s early realization of “triple synchronization” of medical technologies, equipment, and pharmaceuticals with international advanced standards. Today, the launch of the “Johnson & Johnson Boao Innovation Chain” stands as a robust demonstration of its innovation commitment in China, underscoring Johnson & Johnson’s firm confidence in actively strengthening local innovation, research and development, and manufacturing capabilities.

Song Weiqun, Chairman of Johnson & Johnson China, stated, “The ‘Johnson & Johnson Boao Innovation Chain’ represents the implementation of our strategic partnership with the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone. It is also another significant initiative in Johnson & Johnson China’s overall innovation strategy, following the launch of our China Innovation Engine. Leveraging its advanced global innovation capabilities, Johnson & Johnson will continue to collaborate with partners across sectors to build an influential ‘innovation chain’ in Boao, accelerating the introduction of cutting-edge medical products and solutions from around the world to better serve the Chinese people.”

Innovation-Led, Dual-Driven by Talent and Technology

Johnson & Johnson has remained committed to meeting China’s growing healthcare needs through continuous innovation. While introducing advanced global technologies and products, the company has also cultivated a cohort of highly specialized medical professionals in China.

In March this year, Johnson & Johnson partnered with Boao Super Hospital to establish the “Johnson & Johnson Advanced Technologies Hainan Boao Education Center,” the first incubation base for cutting-edge medical technology talent within the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone. The center aims to cultivate a team of Chinese medical instructors and clinical professionals proficient in advanced medical technologies urgently needed in clinical practice. Since its establishment, the base has conducted multiple professional training sessions, benefiting over 800 physicians.

With the launch of the “Innovation Chain,” Johnson & Johnson will also initiate a “Five-Year Specialized Training Program in Advanced Electrophysiology Technologies,” aimed at further improving the professional education system for electrophysiologists in China and enhancing the overall standardization of electrophysiological treatment practices across the country.

This October, Johnson & Johnson MedTech officially launched the Joint Observation Research Project under the National Clinical Research Center for Orthopedics and Sports Rehabilitation in collaboration with the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone. By establishing a specialized clinical research team for joint studies in China, the project aims to conduct real-world clinical observations of joint surgeries, accelerate the introduction of overseas novel technologies and new surgical techniques, and promote the adoption of minimally invasive joint surgery within the Pilot Zone. Additionally, the first femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery in mainland China using the Johnson & Johnson Vision Catalys system was successfully performed at Boao Super Hospital. This technology enhances surgical precision and safety, reduces operative time, and delivers improved postoperative outcomes for cataract patients. Johnson & Johnson Vision is also actively engaged in myopia prevention efforts among children and adolescents. A large-scale science popularization campaign on myopia prevention and control for children and adolescents, supported by Johnson & Johnson Vision, was recently held at Boao Town Central School, where 1,500 teachers and students learned about the importance of eye care through this “Eye Health Lesson.” As part of the strategic cooperation letter of intent, Johnson & Johnson is also advancing the design and setup of its exhibition area for the “Never-Ending International Exhibition of New Drugs and Medical Devices.”

In response, Gu Gang, Director of the Hainan Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone Administration, stated, “We are pleased to see multinational healthcare companies like Johnson & Johnson, with innovation as their core competitiveness, enter the Lecheng Pilot Zone. Through the platform of the Pilot Zone, they can accelerate the introduction of advanced medical products and technologies into the Chinese market, achieving mutual growth for both parties.”

Win-Win Cooperation, Innovation Is Productivity

Innovation has been Johnson & Johnson’s enduring core competency in advancing global health for over 130 years, as well as the key accelerator behind its rapid growth in China over the past three decades. Johnson & Johnson invests substantial resources in innovative research and development each year. In 2018 alone, the company’s global R&D expenditure exceeded USD 10.8 billion, making it the company with the highest known investment in innovative R&D within the global industry.

Guided by Johnson & Johnson’s philosophy of innovation, the “Johnson & Johnson Boao Innovation Chain” is committed to building an open innovation ecosystem to meet China’s evolving healthcare needs. In the future, the “Johnson & Johnson Boao Innovation Chain” will integrate Johnson & Johnson’s various beneficial explorations in the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, connect diverse internal and external innovation stakeholders, promote the introduction and translation of global innovative achievements, and help enhance local innovation capabilities. Meanwhile, the “Johnson & Johnson Boao Innovation Chain” will continue to emphasize both deepening its core substance and expanding its scope, serving as a vital link between domestic healthcare demands and advanced global medical technologies and products, thereby enhancing the international influence of the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone.

Song Weiqun, Chairman of Johnson & Johnson China, added, “The launch of the ‘Johnson & Johnson Boao Innovation Chain’ will lay a solid foundation for closer collaboration between Johnson & Johnson and the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone. Looking ahead, Johnson & Johnson will continue to deepen its commitment to the Chinese market, joining forces with all stakeholders to advance the realization of the ‘Healthy China 2030’ goals.”