AstraZeneca plans great leaps in respiratory medicine in China

Global pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca will introduce a batch of innovative drugs into China by 2025 for the treatment of respiratory diseases, such as severe asthma, chronic cough and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to Lin Xiao, vice-president of the company's China branch.

The company will also step up independent new product research and development in China while licensing in pipelines through strategic cooperation with other drug developers, shared Lin, who is also head of the respiratory, gastrointestinal and immunology business unite of AstraZeneca China.

AstraZeneca has been establishing multiple regional headquarters across China that are composed of facilities such as innovation centers and international life science innovation campuses.

According to Lin, the company will proactively attract local researchers and innovative medicine developers to join in the company's innovation ecosystem and therefore drive up innovation and new drug development in the field of respiratory disease.

"We will strengthen cooperation with local partners to propel innovation and product research and development," he said.

According to Yang Haiying, vice president and head of medical affairs of AstraZeneca China, the company will invest more in China not only into medicine research but also into new technologies such as digital and artificial intelligence technology.

More global research and innovation programs will be introduced into China on the basis that the company has around 150 pipeline projects in China, among which 90 percent are progressing neck to neck with relevant global programs, she said, adding that within the next five years, 60 to 65 new drugs or indications will be approved in China.

The two executives made the remarks during the company's 21th Respiratory Week, which kicked off on Saturday in Chengdu, Sichuan province, to bridge communications among respiratory disease specialists and promote standardized treatment. 

liuzhihua@chinadaily.com.cn