2019 International Forum on Medical Science and Technology Innovation Leadership Kicks Off in Chengdu, Highlighting Healthcare Innovation

On May 11, the “2019 International Forum on Leadership in Medical Science and Technology Innovation” grandly opened in Chengdu. The conference was hosted by the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), the Sichuan Medical Association, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, and the Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital; organized by the Training Center of Peking Union Medical College and Medlinker; and supported by the Chengdu High-Tech Industrial Development Zone.

At the main forum of this conference, Wang Chen, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and President of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College; Howard Bauchner, Senior Vice President of the American Medical Association (AMA) and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA); Song Shigui, Deputy Director of the Sichuan Provincial Health Commission; Yu Hui, Deputy Secretary of the Party Working Committee and Director of the Administrative Committee of Chengdu High-tech Industrial Development Zone; along with distinguished guests from the medical science community across China, engaged in a high-level international exchange and dialogue centered on the theme “Intelligence, Connectivity, Development.” The discussions focused on further promoting innovation and creation in China’s healthcare sector and showcasing to the world the remarkable achievements made through reform and innovation in the field. The opening ceremony was moderated by Zheng Zhongwei, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College.

At the opening ceremony, Wang Chen, President of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) and Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), stated that the source of leadership innovation lies primarily in research and the iteration of new ideas. By integrating various natural sciences with medicine, innovation can be driven by momentum and guided by clear direction. “It is an important responsibility and goal of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences to serve as the intellectual and motivational source for the development of China’s medical science endeavors. Meanwhile, leadership, another keyword of this conference, is also crucial,” said Academician Wang Chen. He noted that under the strategic framework of the “Healthy China” initiative, China’s health sector is at a particularly special and critical juncture. While remarkable achievements have been made in healthcare reform, numerous challenges remain, making it essential to maintain the right direction. “Only with the correct direction and strong leadership can greater effectiveness be achieved,” emphasized Academician Wang Chen.

As the “core base of the National Medical Science and Technology Innovation System,” the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College aims to establish an effective platform for intellectual exchange from a global perspective, contributing to the advancement of national and even global health endeavors. Through multidimensional approaches encompassing academia, technology, health policy, healthcare systems, and organizational management, it seeks to advocate for and lead the direction of innovation and development in medical science and technology.

Wang Jianwei, Director of the Office of Science and Technology Management at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, delivered a speech themed “Building an Open National System for Medical Science and Technology Innovation.” He also pointed out that the organizational approach to innovation is a crucial component of medical sci-tech innovation. Strengthening the organization of scientific and technological innovation and enhancing its effectiveness are vital aspects for improving medical sci-tech innovation capabilities both in China and worldwide. Furthermore, he presented the three-step development goals of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College: “By 2021, the framework of the core base for medical research and medical education will be initially established; by 2035, it will become China’s core base for medical research and medical education; and by 2049, it will emerge as one of the world’s core bases for medical research and medical education.”
 

The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), founded in 1883, has a continuous publication history spanning over a century. As one of the “four top-tier international medical journals,” it ranks third in terms of SCI impact factor. In July 2016, former U.S. President Barack Obama published an article on U.S. healthcare reform in JAMA, which sparked widespread attention. At the main forum of this conference, Professor Howard Bauchner, Editor-in-Chief of JAMA, selected several case studies from the journal to illustrate future healthcare scenarios driven by artificial intelligence and machine learning.

While artificial intelligence and machine learning can help physicians gain a deeper understanding of patients, the treatment of diseases remains inseparable from pharmaceutical interventions. At the conference, Professor Wang Ningli, Dean of the School of Ophthalmology at Capital Medical University and President of the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO), delivered a presentation titled “Global Medicines, Made in China.”

In recent years, China’s pharmaceutical R&D growth rate has surged to rank first globally, with rapid improvements in innovative output and capabilities. In April 2017, The Wall Street Journal published an article titled “China Emerges as Powerhouse for Biotech Drugs,” asserting that China is becoming a core force in the international development of biotechnological drugs.

At the main forum of this conference, Wang Shirui, Founder and CEO of Medlinker and CEO of Penguin Almond Group, delivered a speech themed “Internet Technology Empowering Medical Innovation.” He shared his insights on the integrated development of the internet and healthcare industries.

Wang Shirui believes that the digitalization of other industries, or their integration with internet technologies, often results in internet companies fundamentally altering the established rules of those sectors. In contrast, we have consistently maintained that, over the long term, the integration of the internet with healthcare should focus solely on how to empower, or better support, the traditional healthcare industry.

The advent of the 5G era will bring about significant transformations across various industries. Liu Lunxu, Vice President of West China Hospital of Sichuan University, stated, “The high-definition, high-stability, and real-time characteristics of 5G mobile technology offer substantial application advantages in the healthcare sector.”

The “2019 International Forum on Leadership in Medical Science and Technology Innovation” also featured six sub-forums covering the healthcare industry, research and clinical practice, endocrinology, female oncology, infectious diseases, and ophthalmology, providing critical guidance for future transformations in the sector. Innovation and development in healthcare have never been achieved overnight; they require sustained, collaborative efforts from all sectors of society. With strong support from national policies and continuous advancements in science and technology, China’s healthcare sector is poised to embrace an even more brilliant future.