2021 Shanghai International Biomedical Industry Week Kicks Off with Focus on Global Collaboration and Innovation

On October 11, the 2021 Shanghai International Biopharma Industry Week opened at the Shanghai World Expo Center.

The inaugural Shanghai International Biopharmaceutical Industry Week was guided by the Shanghai Municipal Leading Group for Biopharmaceutical Industry Development, and jointly organized by the Shanghai Biopharmaceutical Industry Promotion Center, E Fund Asset Management Co., Ltd., Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co., Ltd., Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) Co., Ltd., and Shanghai Zhangjiang (Group) Co., Ltd.

Themed “Together for the Future, Driving New Growth,” the Industry Week embodies its mission and vision through “Together for the Future,” which calls for global collaboration to jointly create a healthier and brighter future. “Driving New Growth” defines the positioning and character of the Industry Week, supporting Shanghai in building a world-class biopharmaceutical industry cluster and spurring innovative development in the biopharmaceutical sector. At the opening event, leading scientists and industry thought leaders shared emerging trends and cutting-edge achievements in their respective fields, integrating local innovation with global applications.

During the keynote session, Zhang Boli, recipient of the national honorary title “People’s Hero”; Michael Levitt, 2013 Nobel Laureate; and Wang Xiaodong, Member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and Foreign Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, presented the latest advances in frontier medical research.

Focusing on the topic of industrial development, Carl June, a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, founder of CAR-T cell therapy, and professor at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, shared his insights on the future trends of cell therapy. Liang Zhiwen, CEO of JPMorgan Chase China; Pascal Soriot, Global CEO of AstraZeneca; Geoff Martha, Chairman and CEO of Medtronic; Vas Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis; Zhou Hong, Global Executive Vice President of Merck Healthcare; Gary Guthart, CEO of Intuitive Surgical; and Gao Qifei, Global Senior Vice President of Boehringer Ingelheim and President of Boehringer Ingelheim China, delivered speeches in succession. They reviewed their respective companies’ journeys in technological innovation and globalization, with particular emphasis on building platforms and fostering ecosystem collaboration in China, and expressed confidence in continuing to invest in China and promoting the development of the country’s healthcare sector.

At the opening ceremony, Zhou Jun, Chairman of Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Group Co., Ltd.; Chen Qiyu, Co-CEO of Fosun International; and Zhan Yuyin, Chairman of E Fund Management Co., Ltd., delivered keynote speeches in succession as representatives of state-owned enterprises, private enterprises, and the investment community, respectively. They outlined strategies for seizing opportunities and responding to the times, further leveraging the biopharmaceutical industry’s leading role to contribute to the development of a globally influential innovation hub for the biopharmaceutical sector.

At the opening ceremony, the unveiling of the Frontier Biopharmaceutical Industry Innovation Center, the announcement of partners for the world-class biopharmaceutical industry cluster, and the launch of the “Rising Stars” initiative in biopharma all demonstrated Shanghai’s strength and determination in setting industry benchmarks and identifying high-potential enterprises.

During the industry dialogue session, Xue Min, Chairman of United Imaging Group; Bian Xin, President of Roche Pharmaceuticals China; and Li Jia, Director of the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, engaged in a face-to-face discussion on the theme of “Pathways for Shanghai to Build a World-Class Biopharmaceutical Industry Cluster,” drawing from their practical experience.

“The tide is level, widening the banks; the wind is steady, hoisting a single sail.” The successful holding of this Biopharmaceutical Industry Week will further help optimize the biopharmaceutical industry ecosystem in Shanghai and even the entire Yangtze River Delta region, contributing to the development of a world-class biopharmaceutical industry cluster. Building on the foundation of Shanghai’s biopharmaceutical industry, practitioners in Shanghai will focus on breakthroughs in areas of strength, innovation-driven leadership, development of key regions, ecological environment construction, and cultivation of leading enterprises. They will establish a policy support system covering the entire industry chain of “R&D + clinical trials + manufacturing + application,” improve the “1+5+X” industrial layout, better lead the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta in the biopharmaceutical field, and strive to build a world-class biopharmaceutical industry cluster.