China: The Intersection of Innovation

In this informative editorial Jim Greenwood, BIO President and CEO, presents an insight into China’s growing role in the future of biotechnology.

China has launched an ambitious campaign to grow the biotech industry, which has captured the attention of the industry and opened up potential business development opportunities. As China follows through on its 12th Five Year Plan (2011-2015), industry leaders seek partnering and deal-making discussions to explore the possibilities for expanding into China.

China is in the process of aggressively implementing its five year plan for economic and social development. The government has increased funding for research and development, expanded the talent pool and strengthened intellectual property to encourage and protect innovation by implementing the recent Drug Registration Resolution Draft for drugs under development. But significant challenges remain. Perhaps most significantly, adopting an innovative culture represents a paradigm shift in China's recent history of focusing on manufacturing and production rather than true innovation.

Secondly, the profound differences between the realities of rural China versus urban China cannot be overstated. China aims to deliver the same standards of care to citizens in remote villages that urban dwellers receive in the country's most populated cities. In addition, China wants to add one year of life expectancy to its citizens and reduce the infant mortality rate by 12 per cent.

The Chinese government recently announced its decision to increase spending on healthcare by 16.3 per cent this year to around $26 billion, which represents a significant commitment to addressing the inequalities between rural and urban China.

Biotech is one of China's "strategic pillars" for meeting its ambitious goals for healthcare access and delivery. Development of the biotech sector is expected to bring benefi ts to Chinese people by guaranteeing domestic standards are achieved, particularly in relation to healthcare.

To put this into perspective, two factors are important to consider – China's immense population and the role of the government in implementing profound change within the country.

First, China represents more than one-fifth of the world's population and has more than 100 cities with more than one million people; 39 cities have more than two million residents. The country continues to grapple with consequences based on population growth – from environmental and infrastructure challenges to social instability resulting from the increased pressure on resources. There is considerable need to address these issues, and biotech is among the few industries that holds great promise. For the biotech industry, China represents a massive market with potential for profit even at low margins.

Second, the Chinese government has committed to creating an innovation-friendly ecosystem. China has begun to build its infrastructure and intellectual capital base to support biotech innovation. If it chooses to shape its regulatory and intellectual property policies in tandem with these other components, it is sure to serve as a center of biotech innovation in the next century. In addition, the Chinese government has committed to bringing greater transparency and consistency to its regulatory and legal framework. As an example, the State FDA recently announced rules to speed up the investigational new drug process for innovative drugs in China. China's IP system also has been improved in recent years, and most of the critical policy frameworks are in place. China could augment these advances by working with other nations to harmonize approaches on clinical trials and the data packages that are needed to gain regulatory approval.

The environment for partnerships between West and East is fertile, and will only improve in the coming years. Biotech leaders are highly interested in new partnerships and research and development joint ventures in China. Many global companies have partnered with China-based contract research organizations and contract manufacturing organizations.

To encourage a dialogue between Eastern and Western companies, BIO is hosted the first BIO China International Conference in October. BIO China is an example of how BIO works as a facilitator for the industry, bringing together business leaders, government offi cials, and other industry representatives to explore the potential for business development opportunities within the country. Through BIO China, BIO hopes to strengthen relationships with members of the Chinese biotech community and with the Chinese government.

BIO represents more than 1,100 members worldwide with 90 percent of members representing small and medium size companies. BIO members are involved in the research and development of healthcare, agricultural and industrial and environmental biotechnology products and applications. BIO represents biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the U.S. and in more than 30 other nations.

BIO's role is to provide member companies with information about what is involved in doing business with China, what are the challenges, opportunities and risks. The opportunities are abundant – access to a sizable market in China and all of Asia; reduced manufacturing and research costs; opportunities for clinical trial work with a vast pool of patients; and possible financial incentives for Western companies to come to China, hire Chinese employees and bring innovative and scientific skills. These opportunities are fueling interest in doing business in China.