On the afternoon of April 12, 2025, Dr. Song Ruilin, Executive President of the China Pharmaceutical Innovation and Research Development Association (PhIRDA), met virtually with the INTERPAT delegation. The delegation was led by Mr. John Conway, INTERAPT Vice President (elect), Chair of INTERPAT China & Greater Asia WG, Senior Vice President, Global Head of Intellectual Property at Sanofi, along with Mr. Andrew Jenner, INTERAPT Director General among others. The two sides engaged in in-depth discussions on topics including pharmaceutical intellectual property (IP) protection, optimization of the patent linkage system, and regulatory data protection.

Dr. Song expressed high appreciation for INTERPAT’s significant contributions to global pharmaceutical IP protection. In recent years, China has been actively building a pharmaceutical IP protection system that aligns with international standards while considering national circumstances, based on its commitments upon joining the World Trade Organization (WTO). Efforts have been made to balance the R&D returns of innovative pharmaceutical companies with the accessibility of generic drugs to meet public health needs. China’s patent linkage system is still in the exploratory phase but has initially established a unique early dispute resolution pathway that integrates administrative procedures, judicial adjudication, and market mechanisms. Concurrently, through continuous revisions of the Patent Law and the construction of the patent linkage system, China is optimizing the IP protection environment and enhancing the transparency and predictability of the system. Dr. Song emphasized that PhIRDA, as an industry organization promoting pharmaceutical innovation, regards IP protection as the cornerstone of industrial development and will continue to play an active role in strengthening IP protection and promoting institutional innovation. PhIRDA aims to deepen the exchange of policy research and practical experience, working together to provide a more robust institutional guarantee for global pharmaceutical innovation.

Mr. John Conway commended China’s proactive efforts and initiatives in pharmaceutical IP protection. He highlighted China’s notable progress in regulatory data protection and the patent linkage system, particularly the positive exploration of mechanisms for accepting supplementary experimental data, which is gradually aligning with practices in major international IP systems. Mr. Conway stated that regulatory data protection is a key factor in promoting pharmaceutical innovation, and the clarity of its protection period and scope is crucial for encouraging enterprises to invest in R&D. He also pointed out that there is room for optimization in the practical implementation of the patent linkage system, especially in balancing patent infringement disputes with the drug approval process. He looks forward to China’s continuous improvement of relevant mechanisms and deepening international cooperation to enhance its influence in global pharmaceutical innovation and inject innovative momentum into the high-quality development of the global pharmaceutical industry.

Mr. Andrew Jenner introduced INTERPAT’s related work in China in recent years. He noted that China has made significant progress in the field of IP, providing strong support for pharmaceutical R&D. INTERPAT has always valued promoting the construction of the IP protection system in China. Through cooperation with Tsinghua University, INTERPAT has established a policy dialogue platform, actively drawing on China's institutional construction experience and sharing international best practices to promote the establishment of an open, transparent, and efficient communication mechanism. INTERPAT has also conducted field research in China, providing data support and case references for policy recommendations through empirical studies. INTERPAT is willing to establish a regular exchange and cooperation mechanism with PhIRDA, jointly build an international IP exchange platform, promote in-depth exchanges in policy research and industrial practice, and work together to continuously optimize and improve the global pharmaceutical IP protection system.

We recognize that without strong patent protection, true innovation cannot be achieved. China’s IP framework is transitioning from its initial establishment to a phase of refinement and optimization. In this evolution, significant strides have been made in enhancing the legal and regulatory landscape governing pharmaceuticals, particularly in establishing a comprehensive legal framework for resolving patent disputes. Looking ahead, it is imperative to further strengthen the protection of innovators, ensuring that the patent system continues to play a pivotal role in fostering scientific and technological advancements. As a leading industry association, PhIRDA remains committed to championing the integration of IP protection with pharmaceutical innovation. We will persist in deepening our collaboration with international organizations such as INTERPAT, aiming to build a more balanced and efficient global IP protection system that supports the sustainable development and equitable sharing of pharmaceutical innovations worldwide.

Ms. Geng Wenjun, Vice President of Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group, and Ms. Liang Jingwen, Director of Intellectual Property at Simcere Pharmaceutical Group, shared their companies’ successful experiences in balancing innovation and generics since the implementation of the patent system in 2021. They also expressed hope for the continued improvement of the patent protection system to better incentivize pharmaceutical innovation. Ms. Lu Xiaoti, Deputy Secretary-General of PhIRDA; Mr. Jon Santamauro, Senior Director of Global Government Affairs and Policy at AbbVie; and Mr. He Jing, Partner at GenLaw, also attended the meeting.

About INTERPAT

The INTERPAT focuses on international patent and IP-related affairs and is committed to collaborating with governments, intergovernmental organizations, NGOs, civil society organizations, and other entities. INTERPAT holds significant influence in the international pharmaceutical community. Its members include 30 pharmaceutical companies such as BeiGene, Pfizer, Roche, and GSK, with senior management personnel responsible for patents and related IP affairs in each member company.