7th EBC Yimao Biopharma Industry Conference and Exhibition Kicks Off in Suzhou

On August 26, 2022, the 7th EBC Bio-Industry Conference & Exhibition (EBC) grandly opened at the Suzhou International Expo Center. At the event, the EBC Media Observer Group conducted an exclusive interview with Chen Kaixian, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Academician Chen Kaixian: Target discovery is a critical breakthrough in drug development. We can observe that the identification of a single target often drives the launch of a wave of new drugs, exerting a significant impact on healthcare. For instance, research on protein kinases from the late 20th century to the early 21st century, which was awarded the Nobel Prize, led to the discovery of a series of targeted cancer therapies. Therefore, in my view, target discovery is of paramount importance in the field of innovative drug R&D, and greater emphasis will be placed on innovation in the future.

It is not enough to merely have our own drugs; we must also identify our own novel targets and mechanisms. Therefore, we now need to prioritize the weak link of novel target discovery. I believe that as our research capabilities improve, particularly with advances in technological methods, and as we gain a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis and progression of diseases, we will undertake more original work.

In the future, we must more closely integrate technological research with the discovery of novel therapeutic targets. Promising trends have emerged in recent years, with new advances made across various fields, including oncology, metabolic disorders, neurological diseases, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. I am confident that China will achieve further breakthroughs in the identification of new therapeutic targets in the years to come.

Academician Chen Kaixian: First, R&D capabilities are continuously improving. In addition to advancements in technical proficiency, there is growing emphasis on originality.

Secondly, the lack of original research in recent years has led to excessive market competition. As greater emphasis is placed on innovation, investors are required to adopt a long-term perspective, exercise clear judgment, and demonstrate exceptional foresight when investing in new targets, novel mechanisms of action, and emerging therapeutic areas. Given the highly exploratory nature and extended risk cycles associated with new targets, novel mechanisms of action, and emerging tracks, investors must exhibit greater patience and strategic insight.

Finally, dozens of drugs have already been launched, and more new drugs are expected to enter the market in the future. All these newly marketed drugs anticipate a favorable return on investment; to meet this expectation, current policies are undergoing adjustments.

Academician Chen Kaixian: This is a question that concerns everyone.

In the past, we developed few new drugs independently, so there was limited demand for global expansion. In recent years, however, the number of new drugs we have developed has increased significantly, giving rise to a growing need for innovative medicines to enter international markets. Furthermore, relying solely on domestic market returns is insufficient to sustain long-term innovation and continuous corporate development after new drugs are launched. Therefore, the internationalization of new drugs is an inevitable trend and aligns with our country’s strategy of globalization.

However, in the actual process of expanding overseas, certain difficulties persist, stemming from both domestic and international industry competition and the impact of international relations.

We cannot shy away from challenges; instead, we must confront them head-on, diligently perform our duties, and actively seek solutions to overcome these obstacles. First and foremost, it is essential to gain a comprehensive understanding of international regulatory policies and guidelines for new drugs, ensuring that the global expansion of domestically developed novel therapeutics aligns more closely with these requirements. Additionally, we can flexibly leverage collaborations with international enterprises to unlock access to global markets.

The EBC YiMao Bio-Industry Conference is China’s leading platform for exchange and cooperation in the bio-industry. Adopting a “conference + exhibition” model, it focuses on hot sectors such as molecular diagnostics, antibody drugs, cell and gene therapy, and mRNA. The event attracts professionals including entrepreneurs, scientists, clinicians, investors, and suppliers, integrating the diagnostic, therapeutic, and medication stages to foster innovative development in China’s biopharmaceutical industry.

The 2022 EBC Conference, in collaboration with 25 co-organizers and featuring 412 distinguished guests, hosted 53 thematic forums and over 300 insightful presentations and roundtable discussions. Held concurrently, the EBC Bio-Industry Exhibition showcased more than 300 suppliers of raw materials, reagents, consumables, equipment, and services for the bio-industry, serving as a leading professional platform for supply-demand matchmaking and new product launches.