Roche Showcases Record-Breaking Portfolio of Innovations, New Investments, and Strategic Collaborations at the 8th China International Import Expo

Today, the 8th China International Import Expo (hereinafter referred to as the CIIE) kicked off as scheduled. As the multinational corporation that was among the first to express support to the Ministry of Commerce and deeply engage in the CIIE, Roche Pharmaceuticals, a “perfect-attendance” participant, has attended the expo for the eighth time. This year, under the theme “Leading Innovation, Safeguarding Lives,” Roche presented an immersive artistic installation titled the “Dome of Life,” showcasing the deep integration of medical innovation and humanistic care, and underscoring its original aspiration and mission to persist in innovation and protect lives. Roche comprehensively showcased a portfolio of more than 40 products and diverse innovative solutions. Notably, over ten upcoming products slated for launch in China and future pipeline candidates spanning a wide range of disease areas made their collective debut for the first time, marking the strongest lineup in the company’s CIIE history. Among the highlights was Gazyva, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody that demonstrated positive results in the first randomized Phase III clinical trial for lupus nephritis.^®(Ocrelizumab), as well as PDS (Port Delivery System), the world’s first and currently only intraocular implant—a breakthrough ophthalmic solution. Furthermore, Roche unveiled for the first time its end-to-end pharmaceutical value chain layout in China, along with a comprehensive overview of its newly built biopharmaceutical production base, representing a latest investment of RMB 2.04 billion.

On the occasion of the opening of the China International Import Expo (CIIE), Roche held the “Roche Pharmaceuticals 8th CIIE Pavilion Opening Ceremony.” Attendees included Li Guoqing, Deputy Director of the CIIE Bureau; Mr. Sacha Bachmann, Consul General of Switzerland in Shanghai; Chen Moyi, Deputy Director of the Coordination Department of the Chinese Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment; Bian Xin, President of Roche Pharmaceuticals China; and representatives from Roche Pharmaceuticals China’s management team, who together witnessed this significant moment. On behalf of the CIIE Bureau, Li Guoqing presented Roche with a commemorative collection honoring its status as an “Eight-Time Full-Attendance Participant” at the CIIE.

Roche’s 8th CIIE Pavilion Opening Ceremony, 2025

CIIE Bureau Presents Roche Pharmaceuticals with Commemorative Collection Honoring Its “Perfect Attendance” Across Eight Sessions

Ms. Bian Xin, President of Roche Pharmaceuticals China, stated, “As a key window for China’s high-level opening-up and a global platform for sharing innovative achievements, the China International Import Expo (CIIE) has provided an irreplaceable strategic stage for foreign-invested enterprises like Roche that are deeply committed to the Chinese market. Over the past eight years, the CIIE has not only served as a bridge for deepening dialogue with the government and our partners but also witnessed nearly 15 of Roche’s global innovative medicines transform from exhibits into commercial products through the ‘CIIE acceleration,’ delivering tangible benefits to patients in China. This year, as a ‘perfect-attendance’ participant for eight consecutive years, we are specially debuting more than ten products slated for imminent launch in China or from our future pipeline, covering major disease areas such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, hypertension, and metabolic disorders. This record-breaking lineup marks Roche’s accelerated transition from a specialized leader in oncology and specialty care to a comprehensive navigator across all disease areas.”

China’s continuously improving business environment and innovation ecosystem have provided fertile ground for foreign-invested enterprises to take root and thrive. As Roche’s second-largest global market, our new biopharmaceutical production base in Shanghai, with an investment exceeding RMB 2 billion this year, marks a key milestone in deepening our localization strategy. As the first local production facility for large-molecule antibody biologics established by a multinational pharmaceutical company in China, it strongly demonstrates Roche’s long-term confidence in the Chinese market. Next year, Roche will celebrate its 100th anniversary in China. We will continue to increase investment and deepen our strategic presence, working hand in hand with partners across all sectors to drive collaborative innovation in healthcare and inject strong momentum into the realization of the “Healthy China 2030” goals.

Bian Xin, President of Roche Pharmaceuticals China

Mr. Li Guoqing, Deputy Director of the China International Import Expo Bureau, stated, “The CIIE is a key platform for China’s proactive market opening and the promotion of global cooperation, consistently dedicated to building efficient bridges for engagement among enterprises from all countries. Over the past eight years, the CIIE has upheld the principles of ‘inclusiveness, universal benefit, openness, and innovation,’ focusing on showcasing high-quality exhibitors and highly innovative products. It has helped leading companies such as Roche Pharmaceuticals share in China’s development opportunities, honor shared commitments, inspire one another, foster cross-sector integration, and jointly explore an innovative future.”

Li Guoqing, Deputy Director of the China International Import Expo

Mr. Sacha Bachmann, Consul General of Switzerland in Shanghai, stated, “This year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Switzerland. As an outstanding representative of Swiss quality, innovation, and reliability, Roche has always been committed to benefiting human health through innovation, setting a benchmark for cooperation between the two countries in the life sciences sector. The importance of deepening international cooperation is self-evident and particularly timely, and the China International Import Expo (CIIE) serves as an excellent platform to achieve this goal. We look forward to witnessing the innovative achievements of China-Switzerland collaboration in the life sciences field, driven by the CIIE, and to continuously deepening our mutual cooperation to jointly write a new chapter of mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.”

Mr. Sacha Bachmann, Consul General of Switzerland in Shanghai

As a global leader in biotechnology, Roche is accelerating its transition from a specialty leader in oncology and specialized medicines to a comprehensive pioneer across all disease areas. At this year’s China International Import Expo (CIIE), Roche debuted more than ten products slated for imminent launch in the Chinese market or within its future pipeline, covering a full spectrum of disease areas including breast cancer, hematology, neuroscience, ophthalmology, immunology, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic disorders. Notably, several candidates in its future pipeline have entered large-scale Phase III clinical trials, yielding impressive data.

Products and new indications about to be launched in China, including Gazyva in the field of immunology^®(Ocrelizumab) and the ophthalmic breakthrough solution PDS (Port Delivery System), making its debut at the CIIE.

● This year, Roche has made a major launch of Gazyva^®(Obinutuzumab) in New Indications for Immunotherapy. According to the latest Phase III clinical trial results, Gazyva® can significantly improve patients’ complete renal response (CRR) rate. It is the first anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody to demonstrate CRR benefits in a randomized Phase III clinical trial for lupus nephritis. Currently approved by the U.S. FDA and granted priority review by the European Union, it holds promise for providing new treatment options for the large population of lupus nephritis patients in China at an early date.

Jarrova^®(Obinutuzumab)

● Roche is also continuously exploring innovative drug delivery methods, such as subcutaneous formulations and short-duration infusions. Roche’s breakthrough ophthalmic solution, the Port Delivery System (PDS), made its debut at the China International Import Expo (CIIE). As the world’s first and currently only intraocular implant, the PDS is roughly the size of a grain of rice. Surgically placed in the pars plana of the ciliary body, this permanent device can be refilled with the anti-VEGF antibody ranibizumab, providing continuous drug release for approximately six months. This significantly reduces the need for frequent intravitreal injections, offering a novel solution for the long-term management of patients with retinal diseases.

Roche Ophthalmology's Breakthrough Solution: PDS (Port Delivery System)

First collective unveiling of the future pipeline products, covering all disease areas, showcasing Roche’s breakthrough achievements in frontier science and innovation.

● In the field of breast cancer, giredestrant is Roche’s independently developed next-generation oral selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD), offering new hope for overcoming clinical resistance in patients with breast cancer. The evERA study, as the first head-to-head Phase III trial of an all-oral combination therapy to yield positive results, demonstrated that giredestrant combined with everolimus significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) compared with standard endocrine therapy combined with everolimus in patients with ER-positive advanced breast cancer who had previously received CDK4/6 inhibitor therapy.

● In the field of hematology, NXT007 is Roche’s next-generation innovative therapy for hemophilia, poised to provide superior treatment options for patients with hemophilia A. Furthermore, Roche has officially entered the multiple myeloma space; Cevostamab, an innovative T-cell-engaging bispecific antibody, holds promise as a significant alternative treatment for patients with multiple myeloma who are resistant to existing therapies.

● In the field of neuroscience, in addition to its existing portfolio for rare diseases, Roche has two investigational pipelines targeting Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, which have the potential to reach a broader patient population. According to the latest clinical data, Roche’s next-generation amyloid-lowering agent, trontinemab, has achieved a milestone in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, validating the advantages of Roche’s proprietary Brainshuttle technology while demonstrating a highly manageable safety profile, thereby attracting significant industry attention. Furthermore, recent studies and long-term follow-up data indicate that prasinezumab, a first-in-class anti-alpha-synuclein antibody developed by Roche, provides additional clinical benefits when added to standard symptomatic therapy in patients with early-stage Parkinson’s disease.

● In the field of ophthalmology, Roche’s next-generation ophthalmic drug Vamikibart (vamikibart monoclonal antibody) is an interleukin-6 (IL-6) monoclonal antibody specifically designed for intraocular use, targeting IL-6, a key mechanism in the vicious cycle of inflammation in uveitis (UME). According to the latest Phase III study results, IL-6-targeted therapy can lead to significant improvements in visual acuity and reduction in central subfield thickness (CST). Patients in China were enrolled synchronously with the global cohort in two Phase III studies, demonstrating China’s scientific research strength and providing data support more relevant to the local population for Chinese UME patients.

● In the field of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, Roche continues to expand its product pipeline to address the significant unmet needs of patients. In the metabolic sector, Roche has introduced four diverse R&D candidates that cover various administration routes, ranging from oral to injectable formulations, and feature innovative mechanisms of action to comprehensively meet the complex clinical needs of patients with obesity. Roche’s subcutaneously administered RNA interference (RNAi) therapy, Zilebesiran, requires only twice-yearly dosing, thereby enhancing treatment convenience and adherence for patients with hypertension and holding promise as a new long-term disease management option for many patients with poorly controlled blood pressure. Roche’s first-in-class FGF21 analog, pegozafermin, offers new hope for patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a condition characterized by a large patient population and a scarcity of therapeutic options.

Roche’s Future Pipeline Portfolio Spanning All Disease Areas

As one of the earliest foreign enterprises to enter China, Roche will celebrate its 100th anniversary in the country next year. Roche has consistently demonstrated its long-term commitment to deepening its presence in China and aligning closely with the Chinese market through concrete actions. Among large multinational pharmaceutical companies, Roche was the first to establish, and continues to upgrade and refine, a comprehensive end-to-end pharmaceutical value chain, covering early-stage R&D, drug development, manufacturing, marketing, and open collaboration. Recently, Roche announced an investment of RMB 2.04 billion to build a new biopharmaceutical production base. This initiative aims to comprehensively strengthen its end-to-end pharmaceutical value chain by enhancing Roche’s supply chain and local manufacturing footprint in China. Located merely 300 meters from Roche Pharmaceutical’s China headquarters, the facility will initially be used for the local production of the innovative ophthalmic drug Vabysmo® (faricimab injection). Construction is currently underway in full swing, with phased progress expected by the end of next year.

Advancements in healthcare are not merely technological leaps, but also the transmission of warmth. Roche firmly believes that true medical innovation lies in the integration of science and humanism. At this year’s China International Import Expo (CIIE), under the theme “Leading Innovation, Safeguarding Lives,” Roche interpreted its original aspiration and mission of persisting in innovation and protecting lives through the artistic presentation of the “Dome of Life.” The core exhibition area, titled “Healing Space,” features a giant DNA art installation that creates a clever visual and emotional synergy with Roche’s “Mengyu Tiantuan” (Adorable Healing Team) series of plush toys. By showcasing real patient photos and stories, the exhibit highlights the power of life, allowing the public to closely experience the warm convergence of medical innovation and humanistic care, jointly illuminating a healthier and brighter future.

Roche’s 8th CIIE Pavilion in 2025 Creates a Healing Space and the “Adorable Healing Squad”

In addition, Roche has created multiple immersive and interactive creative installations, offering visitors a novel experience in disease education and engagement. Through easy participation, attendees can appreciate the allure of cutting-edge medical advancements and enhance their awareness of health management. Meanwhile, Roche showcased a range of AI solutions—either self-developed or supported in development—that span scientific research, diagnosis and treatment, and patient management, committed to precisely empowering every stage of the clinical care continuum. During the exhibition, Roche also partnered with collaborators to host more than ten major launch events, covering areas such as digital healthcare and medical innovation, highlighting the latest clinical progress and cross-disciplinary collaborative achievements.