CIIE sees multinational medical firms and Chinese partners sign deals

In the medical product pavilion, one of the most bustling areas at the 7th China International Import Expo that concluded in Shanghai on Nov 10, multinational medical companies reached collaborations with local partners to further contribute to the country's healthcare ecosystem building.

Attracting the world's top 10 medical device companies and 11 Fortune 500 pharmaceutical giants, the CIIE functioned as a platform for not only showcasing cutting-edge technologies but also linking to healthcare authorities, hospitals and businesses in the country more deeply, the companies said.

Eye care and eyewear company EssilorLuxottica signed agreements with governments of Shanghai's Songjiang district and Danyang city, Jiangsu province, respectively, to upgrade intelligent manufacturing at the production bases, aiming ultimately to deliver more high-quality optical products to consumers.

"As the CIIE provides us with a unique platform to engage with governments, academic institutions, industrial partners, and media, we're confident that together we will strive to create a 'brighter' future in China," said Chrystel Barranger, president of professional solutions in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia for EssilorLuxottica.

German company Boehringer Ingelheim and the Chinese Stroke Association announced a partnership during the CIIE. Through the collaboration, both parties aim to advance the treatment of ischemic stroke in the country by increasing the adoption of reperfusion therapies for ischemic stroke patients. The initiative seeks to reduce stroke-related disabilities and improve patients' quality of life.

Timely reperfusion therapy is crucial for ischemic stroke treatment, said experts. This involves restoring blood supply to brain tissues through medication and device interventions within the 4.5-hour window after the onset of symptoms. The approach can prevent further damage to the brain and reduce the rate and severity of disability for patients.

To promote high-quality development of pediatric healthcare services in China, Roche joined hands with experts, medical institutions and public welfare organizations, and officially launched a pediatric exchange platform during the CIIE.

Together they will carry out sustainable projects to boost discipline construction. The projects cover six areas, including the standardization of pediatric diagnosis and treatment, general education to empower pediatricians, academic exchanges with overseas, and knowledge popularization about pediatric diseases.

The insufficiency of pediatric medication is one of the clinical problems. Doctors said many children have difficulty of varying levels in taking medication, which are usually related to the inappropriate form of the medicines and the taste.

The CIIE also helps Chinese enterprises to go global. Hong Kong-listed Shanghai Henlius Biotech Inc, a subsidiary of Fosun Pharma, entered into a strategic collaboration with SVAX, a subsidiary entity of Saudi Arabia's prominent family business group, the Fakeeh Family.

The two sides will establish joint ventures in Saudi Arabia to integrate Henlius' capabilities in R&D and manufacturing of biologics with SVAX's local expertise in registration, market access, and commercialization. Such collaboration seeks to advance the global registration and commercialization of multiple products of Henlius, which already has six products launched in China and three approved for marketing in overseas markets.

"Our collaboration with SVAX will help strengthen our presence in key markets while enhancing our international competitiveness. Through the partnership, we aim to deliver more affordable medical solutions to patients in regions, including the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey, contributing to the global healthcare initiative," said Zhang Wenjie, executive president of Fosun Pharma and chairman of Henlius.