To promote the linkage between social capital and pharmaceutical innovation, and improve pharmaceutical innovation capacity, the 7th China BioMed Innovation and Investment Conference (hereinafter referred to as the “CBIIC” ) kicked off at the Suzhou Jinji Lake on 29th March. The 7th CBIIC was co-hosted by China Pharmaceutical Innovation and Research Development Association (PhIRDA), Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX), iMeta, and Ding Xin Pharmaceutical Innovation Research Center. From 2016 to 2023, CBIIC has gained great support from the Suzhou Industrial Park, receiving great attention and extensive praise from domestic and foreign industries and investment circles. Thus, the CBIIC was recognized as “the most popular cooperation platform for pharmaceutical innovation and investment in Asia-Pacific region”. The 7th CBIIC focused on the integrated innovation of the pharmaceutical industry and capital in the new situation, stimulated the vitality of technological innovation at the source for pharmaceutical innovation entities, to build high-quality development pharmaceutical innovative ecology.

The opening ceremony boasted 4,000 participants, including outstanding experts from government agencies, 100 plus organizations of investment institutions, pharmaceutical innovative enterprises, and research institutions in China and beyond, leaders of pharmaceutical industry, experts, scholars, renowned entrepreneurs, and media workers. The spark of wisdom and the interaction of ideas presented a knowledge feast for the audience.

Opening Ceremony

Song Ruilin, executive president of PhIRDA, chaired the Welcome Remarks. Bi Jingquan, member of Standing Committee of CPPCC, deputy director of the Economic Affairs Committee of the CPPCC, executive vice president of CCIEE, Xu Jinghe, member of NMPA Leading Party Member’s Group, and NMPA deputy commissioner, Wu Qingwen, deputy party secretary and mayor of Suzhou, Li Jia, annual chairman of PhIRDA, director of Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Nicolas Aguzin, CEO of HKEX, made remarks and extended warm welcome to leaders and experts from the investment sector and pharmaceutical sector.

Song Ruilin

In his remark, Wu Qingwen said that, the pharmaceutical industry is a priority in Suzhou. With efforts of ten years, the pharmaceutical industry has become a field of focus with great advantages. Wu said, the CBIIC will further promote innovation in Suzhou, to provide strong support of talents and capital for innovative clusters with international influence in the pharmaceutical industry.

Wu Qingwen

Li Jia pointed out in his remark that, the pharmaceutical industry, critical to people’s wellbeing and life, is a strategic emerging industry in China; more importantly, it is a commanding point of a new revolution of biological technology and competition of national strength. Li said, the 7th CBIIC brings in professional experts and the central pillars in China’s pharmaceutical innovation. Thus, the 7th CBIIC will promote the integration of innovation and full-chain industries, accelerate the innovation and breakthroughs in the pharmaceutical industry, and spur the innovation of pharmaceutical drugs at the source in China.

Li Jia

Nicolas Aguzin said, with a great pool of talents, and under strong policy support, China is gradually becoming a global leader in pharmaceutical technological innovation. Thus, Hong Kong plays a more important role as a “Super Bridge” in the investment in biotechnology and healthcare. He hoped that HKEX could further leverage its unique advantages in connecting China and the global market, attracting companies in more fields.

Nicolas Aguzin

Xu Jinghe introduced that according to the latest data, China contributed 20% to the global pharmaceutical R&D pipeline products in 2022, making the country an important contributor to the growth of the global drug market. With its drug regulation standing at a new starting point, the country is accelerating its transformation from a major pharmaceutical country to a pharmaceutical powerhouse. Xu hoped that the CBIIC can better play its role as a bridge in promoting the timely and efficient commercialization of pharmaceutical innovative results, and the building of a pharmaceutical powerhouse. Xu sincerely hoped that people from all walks of life can give attention and support to drug regulation, and jointly contribute more wisdom to promoting the Chinese path to modernization of drug regulation and the protection and improvement of the people’s health.

Xu Jinghe

Bi Jingquan pointed out that it is necessary to strengthen the IPR protection, and respect the market exclusivity of drug patents to promote innovative development. Developing pharmaceutical industry needs more extensive international cooperation. Bi hoped China’s medical products can deliver greater benefits to people from all countries, making greater contributions to the mankind’s health.

Bi Jingquan

Li Yan, 2021-2022 annual chairman of PhIRDA, and president of Qilu Pharmaceutical Group chaired keynote speeches.

Li Yan

Jiang Jiandong, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, 2017-2018 annual chairman of PhIRDA, president of Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College addressed a keynote speech entitled “Answer of Science to the Exploration of Virus Prevention and Control”.

Jiang Jiandong

Yang Xiaoming, chief engineer and chief scientist of Sinopharm, addressed a keynote speech entitled “Innovative Development of China’s Vaccine”.

Yang Xiaoming

Liang Hong, chairman of Institutional Business Committee of Huatai Securities addressed a keynote speech entitled “Macroeconomic and Market Outlook for 2023”.

Liang Hong

In the opening ceremony, two panels entitled “Future Path for China’s Pharmaceutical Innovation” and “Capital Empowered New Path for Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Enterprises Innovative Development” respectively were held to provide insights for the audience. The first panel was chaired by Du Tao, vice chairman of PhIRDA International Regulatory Science Specialty Committee, chairman of Shenzhen Evergreen Therapeutics. Chen Kaixian, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, member of Chinese Academy of Sciences of Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chen Qiyu, co-CEO of Fosun International, Ding Lieming, chairman of the Board & CEO, Betta Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Wang Yaning, CEO of Createrna Science, and Xu Xiaolin, chairman of the Board of Huagai Capital participated in the discussion. They first discussed the current situation of China’s pharmaceutical innovation. Then, on the basis of their own experiences, they pointed out that pharmaceutical enterprises need not only to improve their capabilities of innovation, commercialization, clinical research, and industrialization, but also to make quick adjustments in the ever-changing environment. Since technological revolution including artificial intelligence is writing a new chapter in the innovative drugs R&D pathways, enterprises should embrace latest technologies to seize decisive opportunities.

Panel

The second panel was chaired by Nisa Leung, chairman of PhIRDA Pharmaceutical Innovation Investment Speciality Committee, managing partner of Qiming Venture Partners. Sun Lei, director-general of Center for Medical Device Evaluation (CDME) of NMPA, Wilfred Yiu, co-chief operating officer & head of Equities of HKEX, James Deng, senior vice president of BD and general manager of Greater China, Celine Yang, vice president of Medical Affairs of AstraZeneca China, and Chen Kuan, founder and chairman of Infervision Medical Technology engaged in the panel. They reached a consensus that when bringing in capital, enterprises need to guarantee the efficacy and safety of their products. In diagnostics and other fields, there are huge needs in overseas market, on which enterprises with promising potentials are good choices for capital to make investment.

Panel

During the three days, the 7th CBIIC focused on popular issues and invites industrial leaders, prestigious experts, and scholars to discuss the policies and trends of global pharmaceutical innovation and investment and financing, to facilitate the commercialization capability of innovation in the pharmaceutical industry, and build a platform of exchanges between government agencies, and renowned institutions and the audience at home and abroad. The 7th CBIIC set up 12 forums, and 8 roadshows bringing 100 plus advanced projects.

Opening Ceremony

Special Parallel Session

The 8th China BioMed Innovation and Investment Conference will be held on 25-27 September, in 2023 in Suzhou.