By hannover-web.com As China grapples with an accelerating aging population and significant unmet medical needs, there’s been a notable rise in the development of innovative drugs. This shift is establishing China as a new center for global pharmaceutical research and development, encouraging multinational companies to strengthen their foothold in the Chinese market.
In a recent interview, Pierre-Claude Fumoleau, AbbVie’s Senior Vice President for the Intercontinental Region, shared his insights on this evolving landscape. He remarked, “China is dedicated to fostering an environment that promotes innovation, bolstered by a strong regulatory framework and robust intellectual property protections. By maintaining this approach, China is likely to draw many multinational pharmaceutical companies eager to explore innovative solutions for local patients.” Fumoleau underscored that innovation serves as the “primary driving force” behind AbbVie’s remarkable growth into one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical firms in just ten years, primarily due to its focus on groundbreaking innovations.
At AbbVie’s recent “China Cooperation Day” event, Fumoleau outlined the company’s plans to introduce innovative therapies to the Chinese market, ultimately benefitting patients. Since 2013, AbbVie has expanded its product offerings in China from five to over twenty, covering various fields including immunology, oncology, ophthalmology, neuroscience, and aesthetics.
In the immunology sector, AbbVie has launched transformational medications like Humira (adalimumab), Rinvoq (upadacitinib), and Skyrizi (risankizumab). Notably, Rinvoq has earned approval for seven indications in China, with five of those included in the national medical insurance catalog. Fumoleau conveyed that the company is focused on ensuring Rinvoq participates in multiple global Phase III clinical trials, which will help facilitate simultaneous approvals for both China and international markets.
In oncology, AbbVie’s Venclexta (venetoclax) has broken the long-standing impasse surrounding breakthrough therapies for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in China, initiating an era of targeted treatment options. Recently approved for the national medical insurance in 2023, it has become the sole targeted drug for AML covered under this program, greatly alleviating the financial burden for patients.
Fumoleau also pointed out the significance of Zany, the first minimally invasive drainage device for glaucoma in China, which has utilized real-world evidence for clinical validation. He noted that China is currently involved in 85% of AbbVie’s global multi-center Phase III clinical trials, with over 90 trials ongoing or planned. By 2030, AbbVie aims to introduce more than 40 new products and indications in China. “We strive to provide innovative solutions and advanced medications to assist physicians in refining their treatment plans. This commitment aligns with our goal to contribute to ‘Healthy China 2030’ and to be a significant catalyst for market growth in China,” Fumoleau expressed.
As the regulatory environment in China continues to evolve, enhancing patient access to global innovations, Fumoleau stated, “Chinese regulatory authorities have streamlined the review and approval processes for innovative drugs, hastening the market entry for new, high-quality medications. This efficiency has allowed many innovative drugs to be added to the insurance catalog in the same year they receive approval, markedly improving their accessibility.” He reiterated that AbbVie’s immunology product Rinvoq and the targeted therapy for AML, Venclexta, have come close to achieving simultaneous approvals and market entries alongside regions like the U.S. and Europe, significantly improving access to essential treatments for Chinese patients.
As the second-largest pharmaceutical market worldwide, China’s vast scale and growth potential have captured the attention of multinational companies, while local pharmaceutical innovations increasingly integrate into the global landscape. “With the domestic biotechnology sector expanding and more medical innovations emerging from China, the government is increasingly committed to nurturing an ecosystem for innovative enterprises, both local and multinational,” Fumoleau noted. He added that AbbVie plans to adapt its investment strategies in line with the changing business landscape and looks forward to forging deeper collaborations with potential partners across the industry, capital, and innovation sectors in China to continually launch innovative therapies and expedite the global development of China’s pharmaceutical industry.
On September 18, AbbVie hosted its first in-person “China Cooperation Day” event in Shanghai after three successful online editions. The company aims to leverage this platform to identify innovative biotech firms in China and the Asia-Pacific region, seeking new opportunities for cross-border collaborations.
Fumoleau concluded, “AbbVie will remain committed to investing in the Chinese market, driving growth in our core immunology, oncology, and ophthalmology products, actively advancing our pipeline of innovative products, accelerating the launch of new drugs and indications, and enhancing treatment standards to expand patient access in order to address unmet medical needs.”
