AstraZeneca opens up China's pharmaceutical innovations to the world

As the second largest multinational pharmaceutical company in China, AstraZeneca’s innovation will benefit not only Chinese patients but industry partners and the global market.

First coming to China in 1993, AstraZeneca’s sales in China totaled US$2.96 billion in 2017 and China holds an important strategic position in AstraZeneca’s global R&D, operations and commercial innovation.

“AstraZeneca has benefited from opening up and reform and at the same time we have been an active contributor. Our innovative business models will soon be extended to other markets,” said Leon Wang, Executive Vice President, International and China President at AstraZeneca.

In an evolving culture, every company wants to attract and retain the best talent. AstraZeneca is actively adjusting its business strategy in China, and local innovation has been an important step. The aim is to break the boundaries of science and delivering life-changing drugs.

That goal is in everything AstraZeneca does, a reason to go to work every day. It helps bring benefits to Chinese patients and creates value for shareholders. This pioneering business spirit sets a background for the activities of employees and the roles of the company’s team, partners and other collaborators.

“Currently we’re working on seven new drugs locally developed that have not been made available overseas and hope to bring them first to the Chinese market, as soon as possible,” Wang said.

During CIIE 2018, AstraZeneca will present 30 drugs it has brought to China over the past 25 years. One of the new locally developed drugs for treating anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease should be available to Chinese patients next year. Chinese patients will be the first to benefit from the innovative medicine.

“We’re deeply rooted in China and seek broad partnerships with various industrial sectors to ensure better overall health care,” said Wang.

Shanghai is developing into an innovation center and a global city of excellence. AstraZeneca China’s headquarters officially opened at Zhangjiang hi-tech park in 2012 and the company has invested US$1 billion building manufacturing and research facilities in China.

The country is following an innovation-driven economic model and encouraging startups, entrepreneurship and collaboration, a favorable environment for companies seeking innovative development.

AstraZeneca’s two manufacturing facilities — the Wuxi and Taizhou Supply Sites ­— along with the China Distribution Center in Wuxi, form its distribution and operations network in China.

The Taizhou site at China Medical City was officially put into commercial operation in 2014, joining a supply network across 29 manufacturing and supply locations, ensuring patients get high quality drugs faster than before.

“Our China products are exported to more than 70 countries. A large production base cuts costs and prices can be maintained at a reasonable level,” said Wang.

Multinational drug companies used to focus on importing medicines that had already been marketed overseas. Thanks to health care reform, locally developed medicines and new treatments are now of strategic importance and pharma companies are sparing no efforts to introduce the latest discoveries from both home and abroad.

“We shall focus on the demand for entry-level medicines and bring the best research and development to provide new treatments for Chinese patients,” said Wang.

AstraZeneca Innovation Center China, established in 2007, consolidates expertise across small molecule drugs and biologics to accelerate the development process.

Dizal Pharmaceutical, a joint venture set up last year between AstraZeneca and the SDIC Fund, incorporates all the capabilities of AstraZeneca’s innovation center to discover, develop and commercialize new medicines to meet unmet needs globally, and to bring new medicines to China faster.

Based on more than two decades of working with Chinese patients, AstraZeneca has come to realize that a holistic disease management should cover every aspect of the patient journey, including prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.

AstraZeneca China Commercial Innovation Center, established in Wuxi in 2017, leverages its expertise and advantage in key therapy areas with partners from the government, industry, academia, research institutes and medical institutions.

It is an open, collaborative, and innovative health care ecosystem that aims to provide holistic disease management solutions that integrate diagnosis and treatment.

The favorable opportunities created by the Belt and Road will help expand AstraZeneca’s Chinese commercial model to other markets and enhance the inter-connectivity of smart healthcare.

At CIIE 2018, AstraZeneca will showcase its integrated disease management solutions, such as its centers for the treatment of chest pain, gastrointestinal, prostate and lung cancer, metabolic management, pulmonary and critical care, pediatric nebulization, and CHC chronic disease.

A number of partners in the fields of Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and big data will offer diagnosis solutions in respiratory, cardiovascular disease, metabolic and gastrointestinal problems, and oncology.

Through participation in the CIIE, AstraZeneca has demonstrated its positive and open-minded attitude to improving the accessibility and efficiency of China’s health services, and contributing to “Health China 2030.”

“Innovation diagnosis and treatment solutions allow Chinese patients to experience the convenience and effectiveness of Internet of Things technology. Soon many more countries will be embracing results grown in China,” concluded Wang.

AstraZeneca is making great progress in its strategic journey. Having rebuilt their pipeline, the business is on track to sustainable growth, creating significant value for patients and stakeholders.