During October 28-31, 2019, invited by Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) and State Government of Victoria, China Pharmaceutical Innovation and Research Development Association (PhIRDA) delegation participated in 'Global Biotech VIP Week' in Melbourne hosted by State Government of Victoria. On the morning of October 30th, PhIRDA Secretary-General Feng Lan met with AusBiotech Chairman Julie Phillips. Both sides exchanged views on promoting cooperation between China and Australia in medical and pharmaceutical industry, policy research as well as the further cooperation and communication between the two associations.

The two parties introduced the major tasks of the associations respectively. PhIRDA Secretary-General Feng emphasized that, with the principle of 'innovation, industrialization, internationalization', PhIRDA has focused on promoting the innovative development of the China’s medical and pharmaceutical industry for many years, and paid great attention to the development status of clinical research and new drug R&D worldwide. Over the years, PhIRDA has actively promoted a pharmaceutical innovation-friendly policy environment by constantly strengthening policy researches, playing an important role in bridging the gap between government and industry. In recent years, domestic pharmaceutical enterprises are broadening their horizons up to a global view and formulating global development strategies. Australia holds the leading position in drug R&D and clinical research, as one of the main destinations for Chinese enterprises to expand overseas business and to conduct clinical trials. PhIRDA hopes to promote exchanges between Chinese and Australian pharmaceutical industries and establish a long-term effective cooperative mechanism through further collaboration with AusBiotech.

Ms. Julie Phillips also mentioned that there were many similarities between PhIRDA and AusBiotech. AusBiotech also has members covering the entire pharmaceutical industrial value chain, and the two associations share common goals and missions in promoting the linkage between medical and pharmaceutical innovation and investment as well. In recent years, with an expanding China pharmaceutical market and growing capability of pharmaceutical innovation, more and more Australian companies are trying to enter China’s market, conducting pharmaceutical R&D and clinical trials, and launching products in China. Hope through the long-term collaboration between PhIRDA and AusBiotech, both side can effectively promote the business expansion of the companies in the whole medical and pharmaceutical innovative value chain, and the development of the industries of two countries.

The meeting laid a good foundation for enhancing the cooperation between Chinese and Australian medical and pharmaceutical enterprises in new drug R&D, clinical trials and medical and pharmaceutical innovation investment, and jointly conducting in-depth policy research on medical, pharmaceutical and healthcare industry as well as promoting cooperation in the field of pharmaceutical innovation of the two countries.

Rika Sasaki, Senior Adviser of International Health Trade & Investment of Austrade; Abdul Ekram, Manager (A/g) of International Health Trade & Investment Division of Austrade; Lu Xiaoti, Deputy Secretary-General of PhIRDA; Yang Yuanlin, Project Manager of International Affairs Dept. of PhIRDA attended the meeting./

About AusBiotech:

AusBiotech is an Australia’s life sciences not-for-profit limited guarantee company that has established over 30 years, evolving and adapting alongside industry’s needs, and help the industry realize its nationally important economic potential. AusBiotech has a well-connected network of over 3,000 members in the life sciences, including therapeutics, medical technology (devices and diagnostics), digital health, food technology and agricultural sectors.

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