Multinational Pharma Companies Roll Out Upgraded 'China Plans' with New Drug Launches and R&D Expansions

Shanghai, November 25 (Xinhua) — Reporters He Xinrong and Gong Wen: China’s policies of expanding openness and its continuously growing healthcare market are attracting an increasing number of multinational pharmaceutical companies to ramp up their investments. From accelerating the introduction of new drugs and upgrading R&D centers in China to pursuing innovations in digital health, multinational pharmaceutical firms have been competing to roll out upgraded “China strategies” in recent times.

UCB, a Belgian-headquartered multinational pharmaceutical company, recently participated in the China-Belgium Biopharmaceutical Innovation Exchange Conference. Wu Xin, General Manager of UCB China, stated that China’s pharmaceutical reform measures and its globally leading internet ecosystem have imbued the country’s pharmaceutical industry with significant potential and vitality. Since the beginning of this year, leveraging China’s favorable policies for innovative drugs, UCB has obtained approval to conduct Phase III clinical trials in China for two innovative medicines—one for the treatment of refractory epilepsy and another in the field of immunology—aligning with global timelines to accelerate the market launch of these new therapies in China.

UCB’s choice is somewhat representative. Wang Lin, head of Takeda Pharmaceutical’s Asia Development Center, stated that Takeda’s Shanghai office has now been upgraded to serve as the headquarters of its Asia Development Center. As one of the four key regions in Takeda’s global R&D network, China strives to engage in global drug development from the early stages, enabling synchronized development and new drug application submissions alongside the United States, Japan, and Europe. Currently, 25 of Takeda’s 40 clinical-stage investigational products worldwide have China-specific development plans, with the remaining projects being accelerated for follow-up inclusion.

Not only are multinational pharmaceutical companies optimistic about the Chinese market, but they also recognize the strength of local R&D in China. At the second China International Import Expo, AstraZeneca announced the upgrade of its existing Shanghai R&D platform into a global R&D center and the establishment of a new Artificial Intelligence Innovation Center. In late October this year, Roche’s Shanghai Innovation Center, with an investment of 863 million yuan, was officially completed in Zhangjiang Science City, becoming Roche’s third-largest global R&D strategic center after Basel, Switzerland, and San Francisco, USA. Currently, the center employs approximately 150 research personnel, over 90% of whom are local scientists.

China’s advanced internet industry has created a favorable environment for multinational pharmaceutical companies to pursue digital health innovation. At the exchange meeting, UCB and JD Health signed a memorandum of strategic cooperation. The two parties will start with a single disease area (epilepsy) and strengthen chronic disease management through an “Internet + Healthcare” approach. Meanwhile, leveraging their respective strengths, they will jointly explore the potential of “Internet + Three-Medical Linkage.”

French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi recently announced a strategic partnership with Tencent. Sanofi stated that from now until 2025, it will introduce more than 30 innovative drugs and vaccines into China. Through this collaboration with Tencent, both parties will focus on key disease areas such as rare diseases, neurological disorders, and diabetes. By deeply integrating the internet and pharmaceutical industries, they aim to better meet patients’ needs in early screening and disease management through digital solutions.