Gilead Sciences is committed to innovation and growth in China
As witness to China's high-level opening-up and the surging growth of its pharmaceutical industry, the United States-based biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences is ramping up efforts to boost product innovation, explore new forms of cooperation and pursue sustainable development in the country.
Jim Jin, vice-president of Gilead and general manager of its China operation, said China is one of the company's top three strategic markets worldwide. With its vast population and increasing health awareness, China has a huge demand for healthcare, he said.
Gilead has been operating in China since 2017, and it has achieved rapid development thanks to the country's favorable policies on expanding opening-up, promoting high-quality development and encouraging innovation. Today, Gilead's innovative drugs have benefited more than 1 million patients across China.
"We are committed to providing transformational treatments for patients with life-threatening diseases in China, such as viral hepatitis, HIV, cancer and invasive fungal diseases, to help enhance public health and support the Healthy China 2030 goals," Jin said.
Benefiting from China's healthcare reforms, including reform of the drug evaluation and approval process, Gilead has obtained market approval for 11 globally innovative products in China in six years. These products encompass virology, oncology and mycology, with eight of them being included in the China National Reimbursement Drug List.
The company is dedicated to providing more innovative products to help address difficult-to-treat diseases and meet patients' needs.
"Innovation is the cornerstone of Gilead Sciences, which has enabled the rapid development of the company over the past 36 years since its establishment in the US in 1987," Jin said.
Gilead Sciences has also built up a local development team in China. At present, the company is overseeing 14 Phase II and III clinical studies in China, with 11 in oncology and three in virology. In the future, it aims to launch more early-stage research and development projects and utilize local capabilities to enhance global R&D processes, speeding up access to innovative therapies.
Gilead's focus extends beyond medications. Since establishing its China operations, Gilead has been collaborating with various local partners to promote health equity.
Over the years, Gilead Sciences has collaborated with governments, healthcare institutions and industry partners to tackle challenges encountered by the public and communities, offering assistance in disease screening, and enhancing diagnostic capabilities, public disease education and community patient support.
For instance, the company has partnered with internet hospitals, pharmacies and e-commerce platforms to expedite market entry, assist convenient access and enhance patient privacy protection to meet their needs.
At the recent China International Import Expo, Gilead signed about 10 memorandums of strategic cooperation in virology and oncology with various parties. Some of these collaborations are pioneering in the industry. The company is seeking all possible ways to contribute to the overall high-quality development of the pharmaceutical industry in China and promote health equity among people in need.
With a passion for creating a better and healthier world, Gilead is committed to long-term and sustainable development in China. In line with its global sustainability efforts, the local team embraces the concept of green operations. Its offices are in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified buildings and it has launched initiatives such as a Plastic-Free Workplace. These measures encourage employees to practice low-carbon and environmentally friendly behaviors, making small contributions to environmental protection.
"We are optimistic about the long-term growth of Gilead in China. We are also excited about the opportunity to provide our innovative treatments to more patients in need in China," Jin said.
wangjinhui@chinadaily.com.cn
