(26 September 2014 – Beijing) – EFPIA, the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations, is pleased to announce the strengthening of its industry’s commitment in China with the conclusion of a successful visit in Beijing. The purpose of the EFPIA visit was to establish a better understanding of the numerous healthcare reforms underway in China, share European experiences, and explore closer paths of cooperation in global drug development between China and Europe. 

The EFPIA visit marks the first time a delegation of EFPIA Board Members, including global CEOs, and EFPIA Director General Richard Bergstrom, visited China. From 25-26 September, a high-level EFPIA delegation, led by EFPIA President and Sanofi CEO, Chris Viehbacher, took part in a series of public events in Beijing, including a public conference on Translational Medicine in a Global World and a workshop on Transparency and Good Governance, organised together with the EU Chamber of Commerce in China. The two-day visit also included an Industry Regulatory Symposium. 

Chris Viehbacher, EFPIA President and Sanofi CEO, stated: “EFPIA is committed to fostering productive relations with China, where a growing life sciences sector is paving the way for the country to become an increasingly influential player in drug development. The research-based pharmaceutical industry is a global industry, and this visit marks an important milestone in fostering understanding between international health care leaders and promoting awareness about the advancements taking place in China’s life sciences sector.” 

Roch Doliveux, CEO UCB, added: “Innovative pharmaceutical companies operate at global level and aim to serve patients around the world. With a visit to Beijing we recognize the importance of China in the global life science world and encourage to connect all actors involved in the value creation for patients.” 

Dr. Stefan Oschmann, Member of the Executive Board and CEO Pharma, Merck, stated: “China’s commitments to reform healthcare and further develop a stronger biopharmaceutical sector go hand in hand. To improve patient access to high-quality healthcare and to become a truly global innovator, China should continue to work towards creating an environment that supports innovation. A collaborative exchange of ideas, as promoted by international visits like this one, is a step in the right direction. ”  

EFPIA members are largely represented in China by our sister association RDPAC (Research & Development-Based Pharmaceutical Association Committee), with whom EFPIA has been cooperating very closely throughout the last several years. Furthermore, EFPIA has established a strong partnership with the local industry, which is governed by the Memorandum of Understanding between EFPIA and CPIA (China Pharmaceutical Industry Association), in force since May 2013. 

Please see attached annexes for further background. 

About EFPIA 

EFPIA represents the pharmaceutical industry operating in Europe. Through its direct membership of 33 national associations and 40 leading pharmaceutical companies, EFPIA provides the voice of 1,900 companies committed to researching, developing and bringing new medicines to improve health and quality of life around the world. The pharmaceutical industry invests €30.6 billion on research and development per year in Europe and directly employs 690,000 people including 115,000 in R&D units in Europe. 

EFPIA members are committed to delivering innovative medicines to address unmet needs of patients and reducing the burden of chronic diseases for Europe’s ageing population. EFPIA believes in close cooperation with its stakeholders to help create sustainable healthcare systems and to develop prompt responses to health threats in Europe.

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Annex 1: About EFPIA in China – Background on the EFPIA Delegation 

Objective: 

A high-level delegation from EFPIA, led by its President and Sanofi CEO, Chris Viehbacher, participated in a series of industry events in Beijing on 25-26 September 2014. The purpose of this visit was to better understand the numerous healthcare reforms underway in China, share experiences from Europe, and explore R&D paths of cooperation between China and Europe. Furthermore, it will serve as a great opportunity to reiterate the European pharmaceutical industry’s commitment with China, its willingness to cooperate with Chinese authorities and strengthen ties with local industry and sister associations, including CPIA and RDPAC. 

EFPIA Board delegates:

Chris Viehbacher – EFPIA President, Sanofi CEO

Roch Doliveux - UCB CEO

Jean-Christophe Tellier – incoming UCB CEO

Dr. Stefan Oschmann – Member of the Executive Board and CEO Pharma, Merck

Richard Bergström – EFPIA Director General 

Annex 2: About China’s Life Sciences Sector - Facts & Figures 

“Between 2007 and 2012, Chinese investments in biomedical R&D grew at a compound annual rate of 33 percent, compared with an average 7 percent in the rest of Asia-Pacific”.[1] 

“China’s pharmaceutical output has increased by 719 percent since 2000.  Venture capital investments in the Chinese biopharmaceutical sector have grown from $7 million to $491 million over the same period”.[2] 

 “In January 2006, Chinese President Hu Jintao announced China’s aim to build an innovation-oriented country by 2020. Pursuant to this goal, China’s R&D expenditure ranked third worldwide in 2006 (by purchasing power parity), trailing only the US and Japan. Between 2000 and 2007, China’s R&D expenditure grew at an average rate of 26.5% annually.”[3] 

“The number of Chinese papers in respected life sciences journals has risen more than six-fold between 2001 and 2013”.[4] 

“A growing number of global pharmaceutical MNCs have set up R&D centres in China over the last few years, including AstraZeneca and Novo Nordisk in 2002; Eli Lily and GSK in 2003; Roche in 2004; and Pfizer, Sanofi-Aventis and Johnson & Johnson the following years.”[5] 

“In the Chinese government’s latest five-year plan, launched in 2011, the (research-based pharmaceutical) sector was identified as one of seven “pillar” industries to be promoted”.[6] 

“China is positioned to become the second-largest pharmaceutical market, after the US.”[7]

[1] McKinsey – qtd. In Financial Times “Chinese pharma R&D marks step forward , Andrew Ward and Patti Waldmeir, 25 August 2014.

[2] Battelle, a global R&D organization.

[3] New Science Foundation, Info Brief, August 2008; Ministry of Science and Technology of China, Report on China’s Science & Technology Statistics, 2008; both qtd. In Pricewaterhouse Coopers Investing in China’s pharmaceutica Industry – 2^nd edition, 2009.

[4] McKinsey – qtd. In Financial Times “Chinese pharma R&D marks step forward , Andrew Ward and Patti Waldmeir, 25 August 2014.

[5] Pricewaterhouse Coopers Investing in China’s pharmaceutica Industry – 2^nd edition, 2009.

[6] Financial Times “Chinese pharma R&D marks step forward , Andrew Ward and Patti Waldmeir, 25 August 2014.

[7] IMS Health.