Lilly steps up China health commitment

Eli Lilly and Company is stepping up its commitment to China by accelerating local innovation and through stronger cooperation with domestic partners as the United States-based pharmaceutical giant capitalizes on the Chinese market's openness to global collaboration.

"China represents a market of boundless opportunity," said Huzur Devletsah, Lilly Group vice-president and China general manager, in an exclusive interview with China Daily. "Its improving business environment and vibrant culture of innovation have further strengthened our confidence in long-term growth."

She said China now plays a pivotal role in Lilly's global mission to deliver innovative treatments faster and to deepen integration with the country's dynamic healthcare ecosystem.

At this year's China International Import Expo in Shanghai, Lilly showcased its latest breakthroughs under the theme Innovating for Infinity.

Devletsah said the CIIE has become a vital window for healthcare companies worldwide to connect with Chinese partners and patients. "The accelerated approval of our therapies and strengthened partnerships across government, healthcare, research and industry demonstrate CIIE's role in driving openness, integration and high-quality development."

Lilly has been expanding its local footprint through a series of strategic investments aligned with China's high-level opening-up.

In Suzhou, Jiangsu province, the company invested 1.5 billion yuan ($210.6 million) last year to expand its manufacturing base for diabetes and obesity medicines. The upgraded facility will serve domestic demand and exports to Europe, marking one of Lilly's largest global production expansions.

In Beijing, Lilly established the China Medical Innovation Center to accelerate clinical trials and enhance regulatory coordination. The center recently partnered with the Academy for Clinical Innovation and Translation of Shanghai to improve trial efficiency and nurture talent in the city's growing life-sciences sector.

Devletsah said Lilly's continued investment aligns closely with China's Healthy China 2030 blueprint and national efforts to upgrade its healthcare system through innovation and inclusion.

"In response to the national 'Weight Management Year' initiative, Lilly is promoting science-based and patient-centered approaches through innovative solutions, academic exchanges and public education," Devletsah said.

Lilly's expanding operations mirror a broader optimism among multinationals about China's continued opening-up. The Action Plan for Stabilizing Foreign Investment effective in 2025 sent a strong signal of further opening-up and pledged greater support for high-end manufacturing and biopharmaceutical innovation — priorities that align with Lilly's China strategy.

"Government efforts to encourage innovation and improve the business environment have created a solid foundation for our continued success," Devletsah said.

Experts said such moves underscore how platforms like the CIIE link global innovators with China's local ecosystems. Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, said the CIIE not only facilitates product exchanges, but also promotes deeper industrial collaboration.

"When more new products enter China, foreign companies must better understand local consumer needs and adapt to the market's unique dynamics," Zhou said. "This process often drives them to localize production and strengthen cooperation with Chinese partners."