BioCon2020: The 7th China International BioPharmaceutical Congress Grandly Opens with Industry Leaders in Attendance
On July 7, BioCon 2020—the 7th China International Biopharmaceutical Conference and Exhibition of Biotechnology Instruments, Equipment, and Reagents—grandly opened at the Shanghai Transnational Procurement Convention & Exhibition Center. More than 300 industry elites attended the high-level closed-door summit on the same day.
As the annual flagship event with the highest participation from Chinese biopharmaceutical companies, the 7th BioCon International Biologics Conference 2020 focuses on core industry trends, sharing leading practices in next-generation antibodies, novel proteins, cell-based immunotherapy development, process optimization, and manufacturing. The conference is dedicated to advancing deep, multi-faceted integration among industry, academia, and research, establishing a comprehensive professional platform for domestic and international policy discussion, technical exchange, product demonstration, and project collaboration, thereby accelerating the rapid advancement of China’s biopharmaceutical industry!
Deputy Chief Technical Officer of the National Major Science and Technology Special Project on "Creation of Major New Drugs"; Vice Chairperson of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission; Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of the Chinese Pharmaceutical AssociationChen Kaixian; Executive Deputy Secretary-General of the Shanghai Society of BioengineeringHe Yang; Executive Secretary-General of the Guangzhou Bio-Industry AllianceLi Yuqiang; Senior Vice President of Henlius, Vice President of the Shanghai Biomedical Industry AssociationGuo Xinjun; President of RemeGen Co., Ltd.Fu Daotian; General Manager, Cytiva Greater ChinaYu LihuaSix distinguished guests cut the ribbon for the conference.
Representative of the Conference Co-OrganizerMs. Li Bei, Founder of Shanghai Shangtu Information Consulting Co., Ltd.Deliver a speech at the opening ceremony.
Academician of the Chinese Academy of SciencesChen KaixianThe professor also made an appearance at the opening ceremony and delivered a brilliant speech.
Chief Scientist, ClarivateDr. Wang GangDelivered an insightful presentation to the live audience on “Global Biopharmaceutical Advances in 2020 and Implications for China.” By analyzing and interpreting global trends in new drug approvals and developments in the biopharmaceutical industry, Dr. Wang Gang recommended that companiesMonitor patent landscaping and litigation trends for biologics, track regulatory requirements in target markets, conduct early market value assessments for projects, and strengthen external collaborations., to fully prepare for the global expansion of innovative drugs.
Dr. Shen Huaqiong, CEO of I-MabSharing the latest practical cases with industry peers on how to leverage licensing and collaboration models to enrich the product pipeline.
Shanghai Exchange Biomedical Research YixiMs.It is noted that the STAR Market has prioritized the biomedical and broader healthcare sector as a key area for supported development since its inception. The Shanghai Stock Exchange has also drawn on established international practices to formulate diverse and inclusive listing requirements.
Ms. Yi stated that she will continue to draw on experience and serve as a pilot for institutional innovation, helping companies further optimize their overall listing arrangements in light of their development trajectories, financing needs, and other factors.
Topic 1: Reflections on Biopharmaceutical R&D and Market Layout in a Dynamic Global Environment and During Special Periods
Guests (from left to right):
Fu Daotian, President of RemeGen Co., Ltd.
Zhu Jianwei, Chairman and Chief Scientist of Jieke (Tianjin) Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Zhou Xinhua, President and Chief Scientific Officer of Genor Biopharma Co., Ltd.
Xu Shengchang, Senior Vice President of Technical and Process R&D at Henlius
Wang Haibin, President of Zhejiang Hisun-Bioray Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Selected Guest Perspectives:
Given the current severe international situation and the tense atmosphere between China and the United States,Wang HaibinIt is noted that imported instruments, equipment, and critical consumables may face challenges in terms of pricing and delivery lead times. Corporate strategic planning must consider not only the product pipeline but also rely on stable upstream and downstream supply chain support.
Fu DaotianIt is believed that the impact of Sino-US international disputes on the pharmaceutical industry is limited. In his view, as high-end R&D talent returns to China, the country is poised to transform from a “follower” into a “leader,” with more projects being both “introduced into” and “going global.” By learning from developed countries and developing commercial insurance, there is an opportunity to cultivate a vast market for innovative drugs in China, yielding substantial returns.
Xu ShengchangIt is recommended to explore alternative strategies and strengthen market presence in emerging markets such as Latin America and Southeast Asia.
Regarding the widely discussed topic of domestic substitution,Zhou XinhuaIt stated that as long as the two major industrialization challenges of quality and cost are overcome, more instruments and equipment produced by Chinese private enterprises are expected to capture a larger market share.
Topic 2: Differentiated R&D Strategies and Production-to-Market Layout for Cell Therapy Products
Guests (from left to right):
Yang Lin, Founder and Chairman of Boshengji Pharmaceutical Technology (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.
Wang Liqun, President of Fosun Kite
Fan Xiaohu, Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Legend Biotech
Li Yi, President and CSO of Guangdong Xiangxue Precision Medical Technology Co., Ltd., Researcher at the Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health (GIBH), Chinese Academy of Sciences
Li Yiping, CEO and Co-founder of JW Therapeutics
Selected Guest Perspectives:
Cell therapy, as a rapidly emerging field, is seeing China and the United States advance largely in tandem. Multiple experts concurred that product positioning requires unique insights into indication and target selection, and that industrialization must be achieved through robust research and development.
Wang LiqunThe PhD holder suggested that, given promising targets and technologies, strategic alliances should be formed with companies possessing robust process development capabilities.
And for the development of low-cost, ready-to-use allogeneic universal products,Li YiThe PhD holds a more optimistic view on the potential of iPS cell-derived products.
Topic 3: Project Initiation and Industrialization Strategies for Cutting-Edge Gene Therapies and Products
Guests (from left to right):
Zhou Guoying, Founder and CEO of Shenzhen ImmunoMed Therapeutics Co., Ltd.
Liu Binlei, Chairman of Wuhan BinHui Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Distinguished Professor at Hubei University of Technology
Jia Guodong, General Manager of Obio Technology (Shanghai) Corp.
Li Hangwen, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of SteadyMed (Shanghai) Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
Cai Yujia, Founder of Shanghai Bendao Gene Technology Co., Ltd.
Selected Guest Perspectives:
In Professor Cai Yujia’s view, the selection of indications at the project initiation stage is a matter of life and death for the company. To this end, it is essential to align project initiation with real-world clinical needs and strive to meet patient demands.
Dr. Jia Guodong shared his experience in establishing technical platforms and standard systems from the perspective of a CDMO, with the dual objectives of reducing time costs and minimizing R&D risks, thereby gaining access to international markets. He also pointed out that gene therapies for rare diseases are characterized by high prices and small market sizes, suggesting that developing treatments for common conditions such as hyperlipidemia may offer a way forward.
Roundtable Discussion: Future Directions in Biopharmaceutical Investment and Company Valuation from the VC & PE Perspective
Guests (from left to right):
Zhongyuan Zhu, Partner at Tonghe Yucheng Capital
Chen Kan, Executive Director at Qiming Venture Partners
Yu Jing, Executive President of the Rehabilitation Investment PE Fund
Liang Jin, Managing Director, Investment Banking Division, China International Capital Corporation (CICC)
Selected Guest Perspectives:
Mr. Liang pointed out that in the current market environment, the entire capital market is highly enthusiastic about biopharmaceutical companies. Each company chooses its listing venue based on its own specific needs.
Mr. Yu further stated that public health represents an inelastic demand, and high technological barriers in the pharmaceutical sector remain firmly in place. During economic downturns, the defensive strengths of the pharmaceutical industry become particularly pronounced. Amid heightened external risks, China will intensify efforts to promote independent innovation among private enterprises.
*The above represents only a selection of guest perspectives. For the full analysis, please stay tuned for further updates from BioCon 2020!