Successful Conclusion of the '2023 Medical Device Innovation and International Cooperation Summit & VB-Find Innovation Expo': Showcasing Global Collaboration and Cutting-Edge Products
August 12, 2023, byVCBeatVB100Hosted by,International Exchange and Cooperation Center of the National Health CommissionAsSupporting Organizations'The 2023 Summit on Medical Device Product Innovation and International Cooperation Concluded Successfully at the China National Convention Center in Beijing.
The conference focuses on the import and export trade of medical devices, centering on “Global Innovation and International Cooperation.” Adopting a global perspective, it conducts in-depth discussions on topics such as innovation and upgrading of medical devices, brand internationalization, cross-border trade, global strategic layout, and team building and management. Focusing on the current status and challenges of the industry, the conference analyzes the present situation of Chinese medical devices entering overseas markets, shares corporate experiences in technological innovation, business model innovation, brand building, overseas operations, and investment and financing trends, and explores trade trends, innovative applications, and industrial collaboration under the influence of global policies, economics, and market dynamics.
Summit Address
Zhou Jian | Deputy Director of the International Exchange and Cooperation Center, National Health Commission
At the opening ceremony, Zhou Jian, Deputy Director of the International Exchange and Cooperation Center of the National Health Commission, delivered an address. Deputy Director Zhou stated that the innovative development of medical equipment must adhere to a people-centered approach focused on health, be guided by health needs, and promote health equity. The International Exchange and Cooperation Center of the National Health Commission is willing to work with partners both domestically and internationally to uphold the principles of “self-reliance through innovation, openness and sharing, and mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.” It aims to facilitate the global expansion of Chinese medical devices, as well as the international dissemination of Chinese experience, capabilities, and services, thereby contributing Chinese wisdom and strength to the building of a Healthy China and the Health Silk Road.
Business Opportunities and Investment Environment in the Medical Device Market of Flanders, Belgium
Peter Tanghe Tang Aihai | Technical Counselor, Flanders Investment & Trade Agency
Flanders, located at the heart of the European Union, is Belgium’s largest region and economic hub, as well as a central node for healthcare in Europe. Mr. Tang Aihai shared on-site case studies of companies such as Barco, the market leader in high-end medical displays in China; Molecubes, a pioneer in user-friendly and compact preclinical imaging for rodents; Imec; miDiagnostics; and Creative Therapy. He also introduced Belgium’s reimbursement policies for digital health applications and its preferential policies for research and development.
Overview of Australia’s Healthcare Industry and Cooperation Opportunities
Iannis Patin Yaning Bai | Commercial Counsellor, Australian Embassy in China; Trade and Investment Commissioner, Austrade
From the development of cardiac pacemakers and penicillin to the invention of cochlear implants and cervical cancer vaccines, and further to the discovery of Helicobacter pylori, Australian scientists have left indelible marks on the history of human medicine, maintaining world-leading positions in research and development across 15 fields. Mr. Bai Yaning provided an overview of the medical services industry and the elderly care sector. Meanwhile, Australia has emerged as an ideal destination for clinical trials, boasting significant advantages in medical technology and making notable progress in complementary medicines and digital health. The China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) has facilitated bilateral investment and cooperation, and Mr. Bai also shared several practical case studies from Austrade during his presentation.
Accelerating Local Strategy, Fully Empowering Innovation
Cao Jiangtao | Director of Policy and Innovation Cooperation, Government Affairs Department, Danaher Corporation
Mr. Cao Jiangtao introduced Danaher’s localized “80/80 Vision,” which aims for 80% of its revenue in China to be generated from local manufacturing and 80% of raw materials and components to be sourced from local supply chains. In recent years, Danaher has undergone a comprehensive upgrade, striving to build a “Chinese company” that leverages the brand advantages and technological prowess of a multinational corporation, thereby fulfilling its localization commitment of “In China, For China.” It has made simultaneous progress in four key areas: local intelligent manufacturing, local innovation, local branding, and local collaboration. In terms of upholding integrity while fostering innovation, Danaher has adopted open innovation and digitalization as key drivers, exerting efforts across multiple fronts and implementing comprehensive strategies to empower the development of the healthcare industry. Regarding investment and mergers and acquisitions, it has precisely applied various models to facilitate extensive business growth. Looking ahead, Danaher will focus on the healthcare sector as its core track, providing comprehensive support for industrial development through new diagnostic and therapeutic technologies such as precision medicine, organoids, gene therapy, cell therapy, multi-omics, rare diseases, and target discovery.
Technology Empowers Eye Health, Innovation Drives a New Vision
Liu Hong | Vice President of Government Affairs and Market Access, Alcon (China)
Alcon’s history is a microcosm of the global development of ophthalmic products. Ms. Liu Hong guided attendees through a review of the evolution of global ophthalmology and Alcon’s worldwide footprint. Committed to leading technological innovation in eye health, Alcon has continuously expanded the boundaries of innovative ophthalmic offerings. Its comprehensive portfolio—spanning surgical equipment, consumables, implantable products, contact lenses, eye drops, and integrated solutions—has cemented its position as a global leader in eye health. A diverse range of ophthalmic surgical instruments, including the AcrySof® intraocular lenses, the precision refractive cataract comprehensive platform, the digital vitreoretinal surgery platform, and the visual quality–refractive integrated platform, alongside high-quality contact lenses and artificial tears, is driving transformation within the eye health industry.
Opportunities and Challenges for Multinational Medical Device Companies
Xiang Bo | General Manager, International Sales Division, Sinocare Inc.
Mr. Xiang Bo shared on-site insights into how Chinese medical device companies can seize opportunities during their global expansion. Addressing the key pain points of going global, he provided an in-depth analysis of the challenges and obstacles from six perspectives: product innovation, market access, regulatory compliance, channel development, brand promotion, and service support. Drawing on Sinocare’s practical experience in globalization, he recommended that companies align their strategic goals with their development trajectory, leverage internal strengths, pay attention to the influence of external stakeholders on product usage, and select appropriate go-to-market (GTM) strategies. Looking to the future, Mr. Xiang expressed his hope that Chinese enterprises would collaborate closely in their overseas expansion, “leveraging global capabilities to excel in localized markets.”
China's Path to Medical Device Innovation
Jia Fangren | Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Managing Director, Global Partner
Drawing on BCG’s project experience, industry observations, and in-depth reflections over the past decade, Mr. Jia Fangren categorizes innovation in China’s medical device sector into four tiers: Innovation 1.0 “Fast Follow,” Innovation 2.0 “Fast Capture,” Innovation 3.0 “Improvement,” and Innovation 4.0 “Disruption.” Looking ahead, the opportunity for China’s medical device industry to achieve pinpoint breakthroughs, leverage these successes to drive broader advancement, and advance to the global forefront is imminent. During the Innovation 3.0 stage, Chinese domestic manufacturers develop improved products centered on “new materials,” “new technologies,” “new algorithms,” and “new indications.” At the Innovation 4.0 stage, disruptive innovation in China remains scarce, with gaps still existing in the innovation ecosystem regarding policy, funding, and talent. To seize future innovation opportunities in China’s medical device market, it is essential to focus on three key levers: accelerating innovation, expanding platforms, and pursuing value-based investment.
Market Demand and Requirements List for POCT in Germany
Corben Pape｜MedRhein GmbH Head of Marketing Department
Chinese POCT products are highly efficient and hold significant market potential in German pharmacies. Mr. Corben Pape noted that “Germans place a high priority on quality and reliability.” While Chinese POCT products offer advantages in volume, their application scenarios remain somewhat limited; for instance, certain large-scale equipment requires specially trained personnel for operation, which constrains testing speed. Consequently, further improvements are necessary. Only products with strong competitiveness can succeed in the German market. There is demand for more reliable POCT services and facilities that cater to specific consumer needs. Finally, Mr. Corben Pape disclosed a list of testing parameters in demand in Germany, including cortisol, serotonin, melatonin, vitamin D, heavy metals, and hemoglobin.
VB-Find Award: Most Innovative of 2023
Top 100 Medical Device Products (Solutions) Launch Ceremony
“Find” symbolizes the journey of discovery and exploration in the life and health sector, and also refers to innovative products that have been discovered and are transforming modern healthcare. The VB-Find Award is an annual brand selection event launched in 2022 by VCBeat’s VB100, dedicated to recognizing innovative products in the healthcare industry.
2023 VB-Find Awards: Aligning with the global wave of innovation in medical devices, this initiative solicited entries for innovative medical device products. A distinguished judging panel was formed, comprising industry association experts, seasoned investors, researchers from VCBeat, and medical industry media professionals. The panel employed the AFIC-12Ps evaluation model to conduct weighted scoring of the participating products’ annual performance across 12 indicators within four dimensions: application value, driving support, innovation and iteration, and interactive communication.
VB-Find Awards 2023: Top 100 Most Innovative Medical Device Products Shortlisthttps://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/yJishrl0TlEbIOaPZuD04w
Innovation and Development of Minimally Invasive Interventional Therapy for Tumors
Cai Bilin | Deputy General Manager of Haijieya Medical
Interventional oncology is emerging as the fourth major pillar of global cancer treatment, following surgery, radiotherapy, and pharmacotherapy. Cai Bilin shared insights on the innovations and development trends in minimally invasive interventional oncology, providing a detailed introduction to Haijieya’s interventional oncology technology platform, which encompasses its transvascular interventional products and a comprehensive portfolio of tumor ablation solutions. Notably, the internationally original product “Combo Knife” left a deep impression with its technical advantages of “precision, minimal invasiveness, and high efficacy.”
Looking to the future, Haijieya is undertaking comprehensive and in-depth strategic deployment to expand into a wider range of application scenarios, including intelligent interventional surgical planning systems, real-time navigation systems, AR/VR visualization systems, percutaneous surgical robot systems, 5G-enabled telemedicine, and IoT systems.
Achieving breakthroughs in new technologies requires the collective efforts of the entire industry. Haijieya aims to collaborate with leading enterprises, research institutions, and experts in the field to better accelerate the deployment of future-oriented innovative technologies.
pVAD - Current Status and Development of Interventional Therapy for Heart Failure
Chen Zulin | CEO, Life Shield Medical
Mr. Chen Zulin shared the current status of heart failure management in China and the latest advancements in interventional therapies for heart failure. He then focused on LifeShield Medical’s ongoing project involving a percutaneous Ventricular Assist Device (pVAD), analyzing it from two perspectives: its core proprietary technologies and key technical challenges addressed. One of its key innovations is the micro-motor’s novel “non-perfusion” sealing design, which effectively circumvents patent barriers; it delivers an average flow rate of 3 L/min. The improved micro-motor and bearing designs significantly reduce motor temperature rise. Another innovation is the high-speed impeller designed using advanced computer simulation techniques, which minimizes hemolytic reactions. A third innovation is the core algorithm co-developed with clinicians in China and Germany, enabling efficient control of the micro-motor’s operation.
LifeShield Medical focuses on major technological innovations in the fields of heart failure and respiratory failure, providing advanced therapies and products to serve clinical patients. In the future, it will strive to grow into a leading brand in China's cardiovascular market and a prominent Chinese global brand.
Innovation and Localization Drive the Development of the High-End Radiotherapy Industry
Ma Li | President, Maisheng Medical Equipment Co., Ltd.
Proton therapy represents a more precise radiotherapy technology and is the direction of development for radiation treatment. Mr. Ma Li pointed out that currently, domestically produced high-end proton radiotherapy equipment faces challenges and difficulties such as achieving independent control of core technologies, establishing a complete industrial chain, and competing with international peers. Research directions in proton technology include automated proton therapy, adaptive proton radiotherapy, proton FLASH therapy, and proton arc therapy. National policy support provides fertile ground for innovation in radiotherapy equipment; only through continuous innovation and the research, development, and manufacturing of high-quality products can domestic brands truly gain user recognition. In the future, the integration of industry, academia, research, and clinical application in proton systems will promote the high-quality development of domestic radiation therapy, and the proton therapy industry will drive the collaborative development of the high-end medical industry.
Seawater Flows Naturally into the Canal; Vast Potential in Spatial Applications
Sun Kai | Brand Director and Director of Public Affairs, Kuanteng Medical
Ms. Sun Kai shared her insights by addressing three key questions: “Why should Chinese-made medical devices go global?” “Can they go global?” and “Which product categories are more likely to succeed in international markets?” On one hand, the domestic medical device market in China is facing numerous cost-containment policies, while overseas markets offer relatively stable pricing systems. On the other hand, the global medical device market exceeds RMB 3.2 trillion (USD 451.7 billion). If Chinese companies expand into the global market, their addressable market space could increase by 3 to 9 times. Therefore, the trend of internationalization among Chinese medical device manufacturers will continue to advance. Leveraging their growing understanding of overseas regulations and sales models in recent years, combined with improved product technology and strong cost-performance ratios, Chinese medical device companies are well-positioned for successful global expansion. Currently, initial successes have been achieved in going global. The proportion of exports, from highest to lowest, is as follows: low-value consumables > equipment > IVD (in vitro diagnostics) > high-value consumables. Notably, the three-year pandemic period accelerated the expansion of overseas distribution channels, and high-end products are expected to achieve greater success in international markets in the future.
Digital Empowerment: Accelerating the Global Expansion of International Trade Enterprises
Xu Zhenlun | Regional Director, China Guomaotong Big Data Co., Ltd.
To date, Guomaotong Big Data covers the entire product chain of medical devices and encompasses global data. Mr. Xu Zhenlun demonstrated several functional modules of the Guomaotong Big Data Platform through two case studies: an overview of China’s exports of medical centrifuges and an overview of Russia’s medical device import data. He also pointed out that the true value for enterprises lies in “setting strategic direction.” By leveraging macro-level data, companies can determine the optimal export directions for specific foreign procurement needs. Additionally, the platform offers features to help reduce export or procurement costs.
Roundtable Discussion: Opportunities and Challenges in Medical Device Product Innovation and International Cooperation
From left to right: Wang Yueyue | Partner, Tianchao Capital Management; Geng Qian | Chief Medical Officer, Jingzhi Future; Pei Xiujuan | CEO, Shiji Kangtai; Sun Yuhui | Founder and CEO, Zhiyuan Huitu
During the roundtable discussion, panelists will engage in dialogue on topics such as “the integration of healthcare and artificial intelligence,” “strategies for addressing challenges posed by overseas industry giants,” and “perspectives on genuine product innovation.”
Ms. Pei Xiujuan introduced that Century Kangtai is one of the earliest manufacturers to localize the production of intraocular lenses in China. The company has currently established a comprehensive layout for the research and development, manufacturing, and sales of various high-value consumables designed to address ocular surface issues such as optometric problems, refractive errors, and dry eye disease. With a deep commitment to the ophthalmology sector, Century Kangtai continues to expand its product portfolio, consistently enhance product quality, and rapidly optimize channel services. “AI is a tool and technology that helps address clinical pain points, accelerating the entire process and improving efficiency.”
Geng Qian believes that artificial intelligence is suitable for three scenarios. The first involves large volumes of data that are time-consuming to process; the second concerns complex data requiring professional expertise; and the third likens AI to finding a gold nugget in the sand, illustrating the interconnectedness of all things in the world, although the critical nodes are difficult to identify. Therefore, the key to AI applications lies in defining the value proposition of AI and its integration with products. AI solutions that fail to deliver sustained value enhancement will struggle to gain a foothold in the market. Meanwhile, future business models should be considered during the initial stages of product design.
Zhiyuan Huitu is the first AI healthcare company in China to successfully launch its solutions in multiple EU countries. Regarding overseas expansion, Mr. Sun Yuhui emphasized that product strength forms the foundation of competitive advantage, while in-depth research into local commercial insurance and national health insurance environments serves as a critical safeguard for successful market entry and operations. Whether in the domestic or international market, the ultimate test lies in a company’s product innovation capability—anchoring R&D efforts in market demands and clinical value, and adopting an end-goal-oriented approach to product development.
As one of the themed exhibition areas of 2023 China-Hospeq, VCBeat’s VB100, in conjunction with the VBFIND Innovative Medical Device Product Selection Campaign, has created this Future Healthcare VBFIND Innovation Exhibition. The booth brings together more than 20 exhibitors, covering interventional diagnosis and treatment equipment, clinical immunology and molecular diagnostic systems, intelligent orthopedic solutions, 3D ultrasound imaging devices, spinal health monitoring products, and more, including participation from some enterprises listed in this year’s VB-Find Award.
On August 13, 2023, the three-day “Future Healthcare VB-Find Innovation Exhibition” concluded successfully. The event attracted numerous domestic and international peers, serving as a concentrated showcase of professional products characterized by distinct features, highlights, and significant influence.
VB-Find Innovation Showcase
2023 China-Hospeq Exhibition Site
Training Course on Cervical and Breast Cancer Screening for Rural Women in Developing Countries – Currently on Tour
VB-Find Innovative Exhibitors
Exhibitor Profile:https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/4tXDBRdVPJWPDFXLCIxjNg
Electronic Records
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