Major global biomedical companies have not only unveiled cutting-edge therapies and medical technologies at the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE), but pledged to deepen research and development (R and D) investment in China as the country's innovation capabilities become increasingly apparent.
Amid global trade shifts, multinational pharmaceutical companies are increasingly looking to China as a critical hub for innovation and growth.
Innovative drugs and high-end medical devices that make their debut at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) have earned a nickname over the past eight years -- "CIIE Sprouts." Often, they enter the Chinese market at an accelerated pace and eventually receive regulatory approval.
These products have assisted with filling critical gaps where there were once “no drugs to use” or "no devices available", bringing real clinical value and social impact to patients in China.
"We really see China as a real strong hub for R and D and manufacturing. There's a lot of local capability, especially in R and D, we really want to invest locally. Earlier this year we made an announcement to invest 2.5 billion dollars in Beijing," said Mohammed Tawil, president and CEO of Boehringer Ingelheim Greater China.
Human medicines, animal health products, medical devices and wellness goods are all benefit from the CIIE. More and more so-called "CIIE sprouts" are being born on the exhibition floor, quickly growing into real products on the local market.
China has built an entire ecosystem that allows a new drug to go from lab to market faster than ever before. This is why more Chinese-made medicines are now earning international certifications, entering hospitals in Asia, Europe, and beyond.
"We really see China as a real strong hub for R and D and manufacturing. There's a lot of local capability, especially in R and D, the way we really want to invest locally. Earlier this year we made an announcement to invest 2.5 billion dollars in Beijing," said Tony Pusic, senior vice president of Supply Asia Pacific, AstraZeneca.
"In the beginning, we focused on the basic things such as clinical research and helping new drugs enter China, but now it's no longer just about clinical trials, but about forging strong partnerships and building systems. So, now we are not only going to do what we did before, but also do new things and look forward," said Wang Li, senior vice president of Lilly Corporate.
Global pharmaceutical and healthcare companies are showing strong faith in the Chinese market. For many, China isn't just a big market, but also one of the most important in the world, and a source of innovation across research, manufacturing and supply chains.
Global pharmaceutical giants are deepening their full-scale localization strategies in China, while domestic companies are accelerating their global expansion, leveraging local resources to support international growth.
"By partnering with a global companies, global leading players, we can speed up this process. So we have our own R and D team, but in the same time we partner with the global players," said Shi Ruiwen, vice president of Simcere Pharmaceutical Group
The CIIE highlights this two-way model of development. Many exhibitors have returned year after year, some for all eight editions since the very first expo. What keeps them coming back is not just the event itself, but the sustained momentum and confidence they see in China’s market and its innovation drive.
The 8th CIIE, held in Shanghai from Nov. 5 to 10, has attracted more than 4,000 overseas enterprises from 155 countries, regions, and international organizations. As the world's first national-level expo dedicated to imports, it aims to promote openness, innovation, and win-win cooperation. This year's edition focuses on global trade, green transition, and technological innovation.
Global biomedical companies unveil cutting-edge therapies, medical technologies at CIIE
