Wan Sihan

CEO of Novartis

The healthcare industry faces challenges as chronic diseases and an aging population place a significant burden on social and economic development.

To address this challenge, it is necessary to enhance individual health levels on one hand, and on the other hand, to focus on the innovation of biopharmaceuticals to improve the accessibility and affordability of healthcare. Supporting drug innovation through new technologies is also particularly important.

I am encouraged that the Chinese government recognizes the value of the biopharmaceutical industry and has announced strong policies at the national level to support this sector, achieving some significant results. Currently, China's early-stage research results account for one-third of the global drug pipeline, and Chinese biotechnology companies are becoming a significant force in global collaborations.

This will help China better cope with social issues such as the disease burden and population aging, create strong momentum for boosting consumption and other economic activities, and lay a solid foundation for the social welfare of the Chinese people, which is highly aligned with the "Healthy China 2030" goal.

The "Healthy China 2030" goal is a powerful guiding framework with a long-term vision. Health is one of the most important investments made by the government, and investment in health is crucial for building a strong and resilient health system. It can also have broader impacts—not only in treating diseases, improving people's quality of life and longevity, but also in preventing productivity losses, increasing labor participation, and enhancing social welfare.

Many countries face a significant socioeconomic burden from common chronic diseases and infectious diseases. Roche conducted a study on the economic and social burden of diseases in 10 countries, including China, calculating the estimated productivity losses due to disability and death. The study found that the socioeconomic burden of HER2-positive breast cancer is expected to reach nearly $1 trillion between 2024 and 2032. During the same period, the expected burden for diabetic macular edema (DME) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), two common retinal diseases (especially in the elderly, which may lead to irreversible blindness), is projected to exceed $700 billion.

The biopharmaceutical industry is playing an increasingly important role in helping society address the growing economic burden by fundamentally changing the way diseases are managed, alleviating pressure on healthcare systems, and improving patient outcomes to reduce productivity losses, support economic growth, and create a greater social impact.

The silver economy brings growth opportunities while also presenting significant medical challenges—especially in the field of dementia treatment. Recent research reveals a shocking reality: the fear of memory loss now exceeds the fear of death. If the healthcare system wants to effectively address this issue, it must promote innovations in insurance policies and recognize that dementia is not a single disease, but a complex set of syndromes. Early and accurate diagnosis is the foundation for effective treatment. Only by raising awareness early can we hope to halt the progression of the disease.

Action is urgent. We must deploy scalable dementia treatment solutions in China before the comprehensive impact of demographic changes arrives. Three key steps are crucial: reducing the societal stigma around cognitive decline, enhancing early and accurate diagnosis, and leveraging cutting-edge technology. Eli Lilly has invested over $8 billion in Alzheimer's research over the past 35 years and is committed to bringing innovative therapies to China. Our goal is to support China's healthy aging initiative and drive transformation in the field of dementia treatment.

Recently, we have implemented three major initiatives in China: investing 1.5 billion RMB to expand our production base in Suzhou, launching the Lilly Gateway Labs in Beijing to accelerate local innovation incubation, and establishing the Lilly China Medical Innovation Center in Beijing. The development environment in China aligns closely with our strategy. We embrace these changes and are excited about the innovative ideas emerging here.

China has become the second-largest pharmaceutical market in the world. With economic development and population growth, the potential demand for healthcare is continuously increasing.

Takeda is vital to China, as it is committed to driving cutting-edge innovation and tirelessly bringing groundbreaking therapies to the Chinese market for the benefit of patients. The Chinese government strongly supports biopharmaceutical innovation and actively promotes the accessibility of global innovative therapies for Chinese patients, which aligns closely with Takeda's strategic priorities and the development of China's health care sector.

The close cooperation among countries in the development of health-related pharmaceuticals is particularly important. China's focus on collaborating with enterprises from other countries in this field will contribute to the faster and better development of the global health industry. Takeda Pharmaceutical also places great importance on cooperation with the Chinese market. Over the past five years, thanks to rapid technological advancements and deepening global cooperation, the innovative drugs launched by Takeda in China have exceeded the total of the previous 25 years. This is partly due to China's vast market size and also benefits from the relevant reform measures implemented by the Chinese government.

The rapid development of new technologies such as AI is driving the transformation of the innovative pharmaceutical industry, enhancing production efficiency, and enabling companies to have greater flexibility and initiative in product pricing in the future, thereby promoting the market competitiveness of innovative drugs.

Takeda Pharmaceutical actively explores and applies AI technology in drug development, promoting the deep integration of digital technology and drug development. At the same time, it typically considers various factors such as the cost of drug innovation and development, technological maturity, and project urgency to decide whether to apply AI drug development technology in a specific project.

In recent years, Takeda Pharmaceutical has actively engaged in molecular research and development to address significant medical needs. Recently, we reached a strategic cooperation agreement with the Chengdu Municipal Government to establish the Takeda China Innovation Center (TCIC). This digital innovation center will expand our digital innovation strategy blueprint, empowering Takeda to better provide high-quality services to patients.

Digital technology will enable significant transformations in the pharmaceutical industry and allow companies like Takeda Pharmaceutical to greatly enhance production efficiency. Takeda will also have greater flexibility in pricing, making medications more affordable.

In terms of development, Takeda Pharmaceutical utilizes big data to test 70% of new molecules' clinical protocols, significantly improving production efficiency and manufacturing progress. New technological methods and ideas provide support for molecular research and development, while enhancing the efficiency and precision of drug development.

China has now become a very important participant and contributor in the pharmaceutical industry. At the same time, China's AI technology has made significant progress, and in this regard, China will also become a global leader. We hope to stand shoulder to shoulder with China and make better contributions in the future.

I hope that China's relevant regulatory policies and processes can be further improved, which will help enhance the efficiency of enterprise R&D systems. Utilizing rapidly advancing AI and big data technologies can better diagnose potential patient populations in advance and improve diagnostic accuracy. In these areas, China, relying on its large population and market, is bound to have significant opportunities.

Aging is a challenge faced by every country, but for China, it presents a unique opportunity to build a more resilient, innovative, and equitable healthcare system.

This trend is irreversible. At the same time, chronic diseases, especially age-related diseases such as chronic kidney disease (CKD), are placing increasing pressure on healthcare systems worldwide. Currently, chronic kidney disease affects nearly 850 million people globally, and it is expected to become the fifth leading cause of death by 2040. In China alone, over 120 million people suffer from chronic kidney disease, but the awareness rate is extremely low, at only 10%. So, how can we effectively address these challenges? The answer lies in rethinking the way healthcare services are delivered.

At Wanyite, we believe that in addressing the healthcare challenges associated with aging, we need not only innovative therapies but also a transformation in the way healthcare services are delivered. This means shifting from a hospital-centric model to one where patients can access healthcare services no matter where they are.

Traditional hospital-based medical services are insufficient to meet the needs of an aging society. Geographic barriers, infrastructure limitations, and economic constraints have resulted in significant disparities in healthcare services. This is why the future of kidney care cannot be limited to innovations in treatment methods; it must fundamentally reimagine the way healthcare services are delivered.

It has been proven that digital health technologies play a key role in this transformation. Remote patient monitoring, telemedicine solutions, and interconnected healthcare systems are fundamentally changing the way we monitor and manage chronic kidney disease. These tools enable real-time monitoring, early intervention, and expert-level medical services, while ensuring that patients can receive treatment in the comfort of their own homes.

Innovation must be people-centered. For patients undergoing dialysis treatment, the choice of home treatment should not mean a decline in the quality of medical services. By integrating digital health tools, we ensure that patients can receive personalized care that is as safe and effective as that received in a hospital setting. Every home dialysis patient should have access to high-quality clinical support anytime and anywhere.

Having technology alone is not enough; solutions must also be affordable and sustainable. We can learn from the strategy of “prioritizing peritoneal dialysis” in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, which emphasizes home treatment and has significantly improved treatment outcomes. Wan Yi Te is actively piloting similar projects in county-level hospitals with insufficient medical services, in accordance with China's "Healthy China 2030" planning outline. By achieving localized production and establishing partnerships, we can reduce treatment costs and alleviate the burden on families and the healthcare system.

China occupies a very important position in Wanyite's global strategy. For 35 years, we have been deeply committed to serving the vast number of patients and healthcare teams in China, striving to develop innovative and high-quality renal care solutions that meet local needs.

Wanyite has established an end-to-end value chain in China that encompasses research and development, manufacturing, marketing, and services. As we continue to deepen our localization efforts, our goal is to collaborate more closely with domestic industry partners to develop treatment solutions that truly meet the needs of Chinese patients.

Recently, China's "Two Sessions" emphasized the importance of strengthening the integration of county-level medical and health service systems to improve rural medical infrastructure. Wanyite aims to empower the local medical system with digital health technology to support hierarchical medical treatment. By bridging the urban-rural gap, we can enable more patients to conveniently access essential therapies for sustaining life.

Collaboration is key. By working with regulatory agencies, local medical institutions, and healthcare teams, we ensure that our innovative initiatives align with national goals and contribute to China's "Healthy China 2030" plan and the "New Quality Productivity" strategy.