Medtronic Accelerates Localization of Global Innovations Through Lingang Medical Technology Industrial Base to Better Serve Chinese Patients

(Source: Shanghai Observer)

Medtronic's Cardiac Rhythm Management Division recently hosted the "Data Speaks, Heartbeat Unites" themed event, focusing on patient-centered innovative practices to promote advanced therapies benefiting China.

On-site, multiple sectors jointly promote innovation and public science popularization for mutual empowerment, helping patients understand and benefit from treatment solutions as soon as possible, and launching the debut exhibition of the local brand, Medtronic.

"Decoding the Heart: A Lifetime of 2.6 Billion Beats" opening short film, showcasing the importance of guarding health with every heartbeat throughout one's life.

Professor Zhang Shu, President of the Arrhythmia Technology Branch of the Chinese Medical Equipment Association, Chairman of the Arrhythmia Specialty Committee of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, and expert from Fuwai Hospital, National Cardiovascular Center, stated that over the past seven decades of pacemaker development, we have witnessed continuous breakthroughs in life science and technology. From the early days of bulky devices to today's minimally invasive, intelligent, and precise technologies, advancements in heart rhythm management have not only saved countless lives but also driven cardiovascular medicine into a new era of "protection" rather than just "treatment." China has made significant progress in the prevention and treatment of arrhythmia, particularly in innovation transformation, long-term management, and patient education.

Kweli P. Thompson, Senior Vice President of Medtronic and President of the Cardiac Rhythm Management business, stated: "From the world's first implantable pacemaker, Medtronic has continuously advanced the treatment of arrhythmias toward a more precise, safe, and intelligent future. Since entering China, Medtronic has consistently collaborated with clinical experts and research institutions to accelerate the localization and clinical translation of innovative therapies. In the future, Medtronic will use innovation as a bridge to connect global experience with local needs, bringing safe, reliable, and accessible arrhythmia solutions to more patients."

Medtronic Global Senior Vice President and Greater China President, Gu Yushao, stated: "As a multinational company with forty years of deep engagement in China, Medtronic has always regarded China as the most dynamic and promising market. China is not only a beneficiary of innovative achievements but is also becoming a source of innovation. In the future, Medtronic will rely on the Lujiazui Medical Technology Industrial Base as an innovation engine to make global scientific and technological achievements more efficiently benefit local patients and inject continuous momentum into the construction of 'Healthy China.'"

Fu Sheng, Director of the Administration Bureau of Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone in Hainan, stated: "The completion of the first market-oriented application of the leadless pacemaker Micra in Lecheng Pilot Zone is a vivid demonstration of the institutional advantage of ‘pioneering trials’. It allows more leading...Innovative Healthcare"Technology lands earlier in China, and we provide fertile ground for accelerated transformation, helping innovative achievements benefit Chinese patients more quickly."

Professor Wu Liqun from Ruijin Hospital, affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, and the incumbent Chairman-elect of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association's Cardiac Rhythm Society, pointed out in the speech "Decoding 60—Invisible Protection, Wonderful Life" that bradycardia occurs when the heart rate falls below 60 beats per minute, causing symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, and even fainting. In severe cases, it can be life-threatening, and pacemakers are internationally recognized as an effective treatment. In recent years, the emergence of the "world's smallest pacemaker," Micra, has made the treatment more minimally invasive, benefiting over 200,000 patients globally. The upgraded version, Micra AV2/VR2, showcased this year, has been officially approved in China. With further optimizations in battery life and energy consumption, its lifespan has been extended by approximately 40%, reducing the frequency of replacements and lowering the treatment burden, offering patients safer, longer-lasting, and invisible rhythm protection.

Vice Chairman of the Chinese Society of Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology, Professor Tang Baopeng from the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, mentioned in his speech "Decoding 100 - With a String to the Heart, Restarting Life" that a heart rate exceeding 100 beats per minute can lead to chest tightness, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Over time, this significantly increases the risk of heart failure and even cardiac arrest. The Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) is an effective means of preventing sudden cardiac death, providing immediate defibrillation intervention during malignant arrhythmias. Now, ICDs are moving towards extravascular implantation. The showcased Aurora EV-ICD extravascular implantable cardioverter defibrillator has received NMPA approval, avoiding the risks associated with leads inserted into blood vessels. It also offers painless ATP therapy, a compact size, and a longer lifespan, providing patients with a crucial opportunity to "restart life."

Mai'an Medical, relying on Medtronic's globally leading technology, is committed to building a localized platform that integrates R&D, production, sales, incubation, digital intelligent operation, and customer experience, forming an innovative layout covering the entire value chain. Mai'an continuously introduces cutting-edge global innovative technologies into China, accelerating the realization of the transformation "from exhibitor to investor, from innovation to accessibility."

Zhang Peitao, Senior Director of Localization and Business Development for Medtronic's Cardiovascular Portfolio in China, and General Manager of Mai'an Medical, stated: "Mai'an Medical deeply integrates international advanced technologies with clinical needs in China, creating a cardiac rhythm management medical technology industry platform. This will achieve a full-chain local layout encompassing research and development, registration, manufacturing, and supply. Through this platform, we hope to drive the transformation 'from Made in China to Created in China,' demonstrating our firm commitment to serving China's healthcare cause."

At the end of the event, Lin Song, Vice President of Medtronic's Cardiac Rhythm, Cardiac Surgery, and Cardiac Ablation Business in China, and Head of the Shared Functional Department for the Cardiovascular Business Portfolio in China, stated: "Medtronic has evolved from a 'global innovation introducer' to a 'practitioner of co-creation in China.' Relying on the continuous improvement of China's R&D and manufacturing systems, we are enhancing our full-process capabilities from R&D to clinical applications, from physician training to patient services. In the future, Medtronic will continue to take root in China, accelerating the transformation of 'global innovation' in China, and bringing more accessible and compassionate technological care to Chinese patients."

Original Title: "Relying on the Lingang Medical Technology Industry Base, Medtronic Makes Global Scientific and Technological Achievements More Efficiently Benefit Local Patients"

Column Editor: Rong Bing

Source: Author: Tang Weijie, Wen Hui Bao