Roche Debuts at Inaugural CIIE with Personalized Healthcare Vision, Accelerating Innovation in China's Health Sector

On November 6, 2018, Roche Group made its joint debut at the inaugural China International Import Expo (CIIE), showcasing its two core businesses—Pharmaceuticals and Diagnostics—under the theme “Personalized Healthcare: Leading the Future of Human Health.” The company comprehensively presented cutting-edge technologies in early-stage research and development, integrated diagnostic and therapeutic solutions covering the entire lifecycle, and innovative breakthroughs in personalized healthcare, further underscoring Roche’s determination and commitment to supporting the innovation and upgrading of China’s healthcare industry.

At the event, Roche Pharmaceuticals also launched the ALECENSA® (generic name: alectinib) patient care program, themed “Comprehensive Care for Lifelong Peace of Mind,” to benefit a broad patient population through innovative services. Dr. Christoph Franz, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Roche Group; Ms. Zhou Hong, General Manager of Shanghai Roche Pharmaceuticals Ltd.; and Mrs. Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen-Fleisch, State Secretary and Director of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), attended the event in person, joining guests to witness Roche Pharmaceuticals’ breakthroughs and achievements in China.

(Anshengsha® “Comprehensive Care, Lifelong Peace of Mind” Patient Support Program Officially Launched)

(Dr. Christoph Franz, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Roche Group)

As one of the earliest exhibitors to register and among the companies with the largest booth space in the medical pavilion, Roche’s booth design is uniquely crafted. Centered on the theme of “Roche: A Century of Innovation,” it comprehensively showcases Roche’s innovative development journey through five key segments: its historical evolution, research and development, manufacturing, personalized medicine, and the healthcare value chain.

“As a global leader in the biotechnology industry, we are honored to participate in the inaugural China International Import Expo (CIIE), which not only promotes trade and economic exchanges between nations and enterprises but also fosters the development of the global innovation ecosystem,” said Dr. Franz Humer, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Roche Group. “Leveraging the influence of the CIIE, I believe that awareness and understanding of personalized medicine will be further enhanced. Personalized medicine will not only facilitate the upgrading of China’s healthcare industry but also create unprecedented opportunities for Roche’s development in China.”

From targeted therapy and immunotherapy to personalized medicine, the rise of each treatment modality stems from the needs of the times. Driven by the continuous advancements in big data and bio-genetic engineering, the digital era of healthcare has arrived. Personalized medicine is reshaping the landscape of diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making and is gradually becoming the precision medicine approach of choice for combating cancer. As a global leader in personalized medicine, Roche Group has made it a core strategy since 2006. At this exhibition, Roche will leverage its unique advantage of integrating pharmaceuticals and diagnostics, utilizing “high-value data” to deliver more suitable precision medicine and improved therapeutic outcomes for specific patient populations.

Data shows that in China, more than 10,000 people are diagnosed with cancer every day on average, meaning seven people are diagnosed with cancer every minute, with lung cancer ranking first in incidence. Thanks to the accelerated approval process of the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), Roche’s new drug Alecensa® for the treatment of ALK-positive locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer was officially approved this August. This novel anticancer drug was approved in China just nine months after its U.S. approval, achieving near-simultaneous market launch with Europe and the United States.

Subsequently, with strong support from relevant authorities—including health, drug regulation, customs, and inspection agencies—as well as numerous experts, Anshengsha® entered the Chinese market and became available for purchase just 46 days after its approval, benefiting the first patient in China. Historically, the launch of imported innovative drugs in China has typically lagged behind Europe and the United States by five to six years. The accelerated approval and market entry of Anshengsha® exemplify China’s deepening reform and opening-up, as well as the “China speed” achieved under new policies that expedite the registration and review of innovative pharmaceuticals.

To make Alecensa® accessible to more patients in China, Roche Pharmaceuticals announced at its CIIE booth the joint launch of the “Comprehensive Care, Lifelong Peace of Mind” patient support program for Alecensa®, in collaboration with relevant partners. The program includes the “Alecensa® Patient Assistance Program” implemented in partnership with the China Cancer Foundation, as well as the “Alecensa Peace of Mind” patient service platform developed with Medbanks Health. Through this platform, patients can access innovative services such as patient education, assistance applications, medical financial payment solutions, and efficacy insurance.

(Ms. Zhou Hong, General Manager of Roche Pharmaceuticals (China) Ltd.)

Ms. Zhou Hong, General Manager of Shanghai Roche Pharmaceuticals Ltd., stated, “The accelerated launch of ‘Alecensa’ in China is a microcosm of the country’s heightened commitment to opening up. Moving forward, we will collaborate with all sectors of society to introduce more innovative medicines to China, thereby benefiting a greater number of patients.”

Roche has long been committed to developing new targeted therapies, diagnostic tests, and treatment regimens in the field of lung cancer, providing effective treatment options for every patient with lung cancer. It is understood that following the approval of Alecensa®, Roche now has three lung cancer products in China: Tarceva® (generic name: erlotinib hydrochloride) for EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer, and Avastin® (generic name: bevacizumab), an anti-angiogenic agent. Combined with Roche Diagnostics’ immunohistochemistry testing products, next-generation sequencing technology, and upcoming novel immuno-oncology therapies entering the Chinese market, Roche will achieve comprehensive coverage in the field of lung cancer treatment in China, offering a full spectrum of personalized treatment options for Chinese patients with lung cancer.

(Dr. Christopher Franz and Ms. Zhou Hong, together with the guests, witnessed Roche Pharmaceuticals’ breakthroughs and achievements in China)

Looking ahead, while continuing to develop and launch new oncology drugs, Roche will also strive to bring innovative medicines in more therapeutic areas to patients in China, targeting disease fields such as Alzheimer’s disease, autism, and rare diseases.

The inaugural China International Import Expo (CIIE) coincided with the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up. As one of the first multinational pharmaceutical companies to establish a presence in Zhangjiang, Roche has participated in and witnessed the progress and transformations brought about by this policy. It was also the first to build a complete pharmaceutical value chain in China, encompassing drug research, development, production, and marketing. Today, as Roche establishes Shanghai as its third-largest global strategic hub, it is further supporting Shanghai’s ambition to become a premier global city by driving innovation and upgrading in China’s healthcare industry.