Healthcare giant Novo Nordisk pursues innovation in China

By Cui Can
0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, March 7, 2019
Adjust font size:

According to the annual government work report delivered to the National People's Congress (NPC) this week, outpatient medicines for treating high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. would become reimbursable items under the medical insurance scheme. 

This is part of China's efforts to improve prevention and treatment of common chronic illnesses, and to further reduce the burden of medical care for people with serious diseases and those living in poverty. 

Su said: "The Chinese government is providing a valuable opportunity for healthcare companies like Novo Nordisk," adding that, through the cooperation with local partners, the company hoped to step up efforts in drug discoveries and technological innovation, in a bid to expand treatment to a huge patient population with unmet needs in the country. 

Novo Nordisk's new generation insulin is now under consideration to be listed under the medical insurance scheme, Su pointed out. 

A 25-year commitment 

Today, almost 10 percent of adults in China - over 110 million people - live with diabetes, and the number is expected to increase to 150 million by 2040, according to World Health Organization. 

In the fight against diabetes, Novo Nordisk has joined hands with local partners for over 20 years, as part of its commitment of putting patients first and realizing the goals of "Healthy China 2030," said Marcus Schindler, the senior vice president of Global Drug Discovery in Novo Nordisk.

Schindler said he was impressed by the Chinese government's emphasis on quality and innovation, with faster approval of new drugs thanks to accelerating medical reforms. 

Intellectual property rights protection had also improved, and Novo Nordisk was excited to work with local partners as China is one of the global most vibrant biotech markets with growing capital and R&D investment, he added. 

Meanwhile, Zhou Xiaping, senior vice president and president of Region China at Novo Nordisk, said: "Chinese governments at all levels attach great importance to healthcare." It was encouraging to see Beijing intensifying its efforts to build a national sci-tech innovation center and develop the healthcare industry as a major engine boosting the city's innovation development. 

Zhou said that to fulfill Novo Nordisk's commitment in China in the next 25 years, the establishment of INNOVO would play its role in promoting the deep integration of scientific research and technological advantages of multinational companies, further accelerating the transformation and application of innovative achievements, adding: "We have always believed that the fight against diseases requires not only drugs, but also the pooling of wisdom."

<  1  2  


Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation.
ChinaNews App Download
Print E-mail Bookmark and Share

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)

No comments.

Add your comments...

  • User Name Required
  • Your Comment
  • Enter the words you see:   
    Racist, abusive and off-topic comments may be removed by the moderator.
Send your storiesGet more from China.org.cnMobileRSSNewsletter