China's Medical Industry at 30: What Kind of Leaders Does the Future Demand?

As the opening event of the “1st China-Europe International Forum on the Medical Industry” series, the “Thirty Years of Turbulence—Summit of Leaders in China’s Healthcare Industry” was successfully held recently at CEIBS (China Europe International Business School). The summit gathered more than ten industry leaders and distinguished guests, focusing on themes such as the development trajectory of China’s healthcare sector and trends in talent leadership. It reviewed the key milestones and opportunities over the past three decades of China’s medical industry’s growth and jointly explored future pathways for driving innovation and fostering global connectivity in China’s healthcare sector.

This summit, through the format of themed presentations and roundtable discussions,Gathering Leaders from Three Generations—Senior, Middle-Aged, and Young—in China’s Healthcare Industry。

Song Ruilin, Executive President of the China Pharmaceutical Innovation Promotion Association; Deng Jianmin, Global Senior Vice President and General Manager of Greater China at BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company); and Wang Lei, Global Executive Vice President and President of International Operations and China at AstraZeneca, each delivered keynote speeches on-site. Wu Xiaobin, Global President and Chief Operating Officer of BeiGene, also shared his insights via an online keynote presentation.

Gan Demi, Former President of Bristol-Myers Squibb China, Founder and CEO of Xiwa GroupMr. Liu Yaokun, former President of Baxter China and current Founder and CEO of Taili Biotech; Mr. Liang Yingyu, Managing Partner at Qiming Venture Partners; Mr. Wang Wei, Vice President of Allergan Aesthetics and President of Japan and Asia-Pacific; Mr. Wang Jing, Executive Director and Chief Commercial Officer of CanSino Biologics; Ms. Zhang Hong, CEO of Aon Human Capital Consulting in Asia-Pacific and Global Senior Partner; and Mr. Gao Hang, Founder and CEO of ProHR Huihua and CEO of Huijiu Lecture Hall, among other industry luminaries, participated in two on-site roundtable discussions.

Assistant to the Dean, China Europe International Business School (CEIBS)Liu YongjieDelivering the opening remarks at the summit, he stated, “Looking back on the past three decades, we at Zhongou have witnessed, alongside all of you, the tremendous transformation and progress in the healthcare industry. In this era of globalization, the healthcare sector faces unprecedented opportunities and challenges, placing higher demands on industry leaders. Healthcare is a talent-intensive industry. Over the past thirty-plus years, as we have moved from ‘bringing in’ to ‘going global,’ every step has required exceptional talent and teams. As leaders, we must not only focus on current achievements but also prioritize cultivating future talent.”

Song RuilinPresidentIn his presentation titled “A Thirty-Year History of China’s Healthcare Industry,” he stated, “China’s pharmaceutical industry has advanced to the forefront of the second tier globally. Looking ahead, during this critical window of opportunity for industrial transformation and upgrading, China’s biopharmaceutical sector will further expand its capacity for growth in R&D investment, supporting infrastructure, translation of scientific achievements, and talent development. Leveraging this summit that brings together leading experts, we aim to gauge industry development trends, cultivate a highland for innovative talent and foster a supportive ecosystem, thereby accelerating industrial progress.”

As a veteran with over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry,Senior Vice President, Global; General Manager, Greater China, BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company)Deng JianminThe development of the managerial cohort and their leadership during the industry’s rapid evolution. He stated, “Changes in demand during this period of social transformation are profoundly shaping the new healthcare landscape and fostering new opportunities within the medical industry. In the face of the opportunities and challenges confronting the healthcare sector in this era of profound change,”Managers' Breakthroughs and Transformations Are Critical Factors Profoundly Influencing Organizational Development。”

Executive Vice President of AstraZeneca, President of International Business and ChinaWang Lei, is the highest-ranking Chinese executive in a multinational pharmaceutical company, overseeing AstraZeneca’s entire international business outside of North America and Europe, covering more than 70 countries and markets worldwide. How can talents cultivated in China’s pharmaceutical market exert greater voice and influence on the global stage? Wang Lei believes: “One factor is the importance of the Chinese market. The Chinese market is significant enough that people have gone abroad,Talent development in the Chinese market will also be placed on the headquarters’ agenda, as the two are mutually reinforcing. Second, for innovative pharmaceutical companies seeking global expansion, success hinges on having blockbuster drugs. For instance, BeiGene’s BTK inhibitor is a prime example of such a blockbuster. Therefore, the key lies in offering high-quality, differentiated products rather than “me-too” drugs. While being “me-first” is not always necessary, achieving “me-better” status is essential.The potential of China can be seen through many me-better drugs.”

President and Chief Operating Officer, BeiGeneWu Xiaobin, summarized the growth and transformation of China’s healthcare leadership talent and industry peers over the past three decades through a live connection, and expressed expectations for the future development of leadership talent cultivation systems. He stated, “With the rise of domestic biopharmaceutical innovation enterprises, China’s pharmaceutical industry will play an increasingly important role in global biopharmaceutical innovation. Chinese pharmaceutical innovation is transitioning from being a ‘follower’ of global innovative drugs to a ‘peer,’ and striving to become a ‘leader,’ possessing the strength to go global. Meanwhile, numerous national policies have provided strong support for domestic innovative pharmaceutical companies to expand overseas and enter the global market. It is inevitable that more Chinese innovative drugs will go global, which requires companies to properly plan and implement their globalization strategies. Among these,The establishment of talent recruitment and development systems is undoubtedly crucial to the global expansion of China’s healthcare industry.。”

Former President of Bristol-Myers Squibb ChinaGan DemingHe was among the first executives of multinational pharmaceutical companies to enter China and formerly served as President of Baxter China.Liu Yaokun, as veterans in the industry who have personally experienced and witnessed the development of China’s healthcare sector, they shared their stories and insights on talent development.

It is widely recognized within the industry that since China initiated pharmaceutical regulatory reforms in 2015, an increasing influx of biopharmaceutical talent has joined domestic enterprises, playing a positive role in driving overall industry progress. A key focus of this summit is on value innovation in leadership talent, further advancing the healthcare sector’s talent development systems and empowering local innovation strategies.

Founder and CEO of ProHR Huihua, CEO of Huijiu Lecture HallGao HangWith over two decades of deep engagement in the healthcare industry, he has long been committed to cultivating future-oriented talent and organizational capabilities for the sector. In his address at the summit, he stated, “Behind the profound transformations witnessed in China’s healthcare industry over the past thirty years lies the ‘spirit and vigor’ of several generations of healthcare professionals. This legacy embodies inheritance and innovation, but above all, it reflects the strategic foresight of its leaders. At each pivotal juncture over the past decades, a cohort of leaders has stood at the forefront, steadfastly upholding the industry’s original aspirations while relentlessly pursuing progress. Holding the baton of leadership, they have explored new paths and guided the industry forward, while simultaneously supporting peers and successors along the way. In doing so, they have cultivated a vast pool of talent and managers for the healthcare sector.”

In theZhang HongAt the roundtable forum themed “Leading the Industry into the Future,” industry pioneers including Wang Lei, Liang Yingyu, Wang Wei, and Wang Jing discussed and provided insights on multiple dimensions of future healthcare, such as innovation, global expansion, and investment.

Managing Partner, Qiming Venture PartnersLiang YingyuDrawing on her experience in innovative investment, she shared insights into the development trends of China’s healthcare industry and the corresponding priorities for talent development. She stated, “Healthcare investment has undergone tremendous changes over the past decade. Return on investment is no longer the sole criterion for deciding whether to invest in a project; instead, addressing unmet clinical needs is what we consider key. With rising healthcare demands, the introduction of new technologies, and market incentives, the next decade will witness even greater challenges and opportunities for the healthcare sector. For enterprises, it is crucial to cultivate core values and competitiveness, including leveraging technology to address clinical needs and strengthening R&D and talent reserves. For investors, we will engage more deeply in the development of the entire healthcare industry chain, creating greater value through the integration of industry and finance.”

Vice President of Allergan Aesthetics, President of Japan and Asia-PacificWang WeiAs a multinational business leader, he shared his insights on the transition from cultivating local Chinese management talent to developing internationalized leaders. He stated, “China’s healthcare industry is gradually emerging as a significant force on the global stage, with the world viewing China’s rapidly rising medical innovation capabilities through a new lens. From the perspective of global development trends, the future talent development in China’s healthcare sector requires not only outstanding scientists but also, with equal urgency, exceptional managers who possess an international vision and the ability to integrate global resources.”

Executive Director and Chief Commercial Officer of CanSino BiologicsWang JingIt stated: “The allocation of talent is closely linked to the implementation of corporate development strategies. To this end, we must closely monitor business development trends, plan our talent strategy in advance, and continuously aggregate top-tier scientific, commercial, and managerial talent and resources from the global pharmaceutical R&D sector, so as to establish a foothold in China and seize first-mover advantages in the international market. Currently, CanSino Biologics is accelerating its emergence onto the global stage, partnering with global pharmaceutical leaders such as AstraZeneca, and has pioneered new pathways for international market expansion through diversified models. In this process, there is an even greater need for a rich and competitive talent pipeline.”

The convening of the “Thirty Years of Turbulence – China Healthcare Industry Leaders Summit” has also established a vital platform for expanding exchanges and cooperation within China’s healthcare sector. By facilitating intellectual dialogue and resource sharing among industry luminaries and senior executives, the summit will help enhance industry leadership and improve the effectiveness of talent development, thereby laying a solid foundation for the internationalization of China’s healthcare industry and the establishment of an innovative talent ecosystem.