National health body reiterates support to innovation in medical science

The National Health Commission said on Friday that it will continue to scale up funds and policy support to spur innovation in the medical science sector.

Liu Dengfeng, director of the commission's department of health science, technology and education, said that the commission in recent years has rolled out more than 50 policies aimed at fostering a more favorable environment for innovation.

These policies entail measures that streamline procedures for transforming basic research outcomes into clinical applications, promote cooperation between medical institutions and universities and protect the rights of research participants.

He said that the commission will continue to support drugmakers to play a significant role in innovation, providing them comprehensive policy support and guiding them to dedicate intensified resources into addressing key public demands, such as researching novel medications targeting major chronic or infectious diseases, pediatric and rare illnesses.