Exec aims to create 'better life'

China Daily | Updated: 2016-04-22 07:34

Industry veteran credits company with helping diabetic father create a new lifestyle

Editor's note: Wei Jiang, Bayer's executive vice-president responsible for Pharmaceuticals business of China and Asia- Pacific region and the managing director of Bayer Pharmaceuticals China, spoke with China Daily reporter Yang Cheng on Bayer's solid growth in China, his outlook on China's medical reforms, the company's strategy and his keys to success.

You have served at several pharmaceutical multinationals in your career in a number of regions and in a number of different positions. It's challenging to lead teams in different cultures. How do you tackle the challenges?

Yes, I've been extremely privileged to have worked in different markets including the United States, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Chinese mainland.

In my 24-year career so far in the industry almost half has been outside China.

The experiences of working with different and diverse cultures have provided me a tremendous learning opportunity to appreciate different cultural context in building alignment and success.

I guess my biggest learning is about listening and to find commonality while respecting differences.

You have had a very successful career before Bayer. What has attracted you to Bayer?

Bayer has always been a well- known company in China.

My first personal experience was when my father was diagnosed with diabetes 15 years ago.

He was at that time being prescribed Glucobay, a Bayer's product to treat his diabetes. My father is now 89 years old. He is still on Glucobay.

Most importantly, he has been living a healthy and happy life. My father also received patient education at "Bayer Health House", an initiative of Bayer to help patients learning and adapting to living with diabetes.

Later on I was touched by Bayer's mission statement of "Science For A Better Life".

As one of the oldest company in the healthcare industry, Bayer has built its success not only on science and innovation, but equally importantly, also on sustainability and social responsibility.

I am very privileged to be a part of Bayer to contribute to the "better life" part of the mission which I truly embrace and believe in.

How do you see the differences between the markets in the China and Asia-Pacific region?

I see more commonalities than differences. While different markets may come with different stages of development in this part of the world, managing burdens of chronic diseases associated with aging population and increasing incidence of devastating diseases such as cancer is a common challenge facing all markets.

Take China as an example, statistics show that more than 20 percent of its population suffers from chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Chronic diseases are also linked to 86.6 percent of total death of China, which is very concerning and alarming.

What are Bayer's strategies to tackle challenges of chronic diseases in China?

Managing chronic diseases has been a focus of the Chinese government and is a part of healthcare reform.

Bayer commits to be a part of the overall effort. We believe prevention is as important as treatment, if not more.

That is why while Bayer offers a strong portfolio of products to treat and prevent chronic diseases, including Bayaspirin and Adalat in the cardiovascular area, Glucobay in diabetes, Xarelto in thrombosis, our focus has also been on supporting the government to educate physicians particularly in remote areas of the country to improve the awareness, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of chronic diseases.

For example, since 2007 Bayer has helped in training over 27,000 doctors across 26 provinces through "Go West" project which is a part of the National Health and Family Planning Commission's effort.

Since 2013 we also initiated "Go Rural" project together with the National Health and Family Planning Commission to help improve the knowledge of healthcare officials in rural areas. To date the program has delivered training to 1,500 health administrators across 31 provinces.

We believe these endeavors are the right things to do and we will continue our efforts.

The Chinese market has huge potential. But people often say it's difficult to run a business here. What are your thoughts on that? With the Chinese economy's "new normal" mode of growth, what are Bayer Pharma's strategy for growth?

We believe we have the right strategy. We will continue to focus on our efforts on preventing and treating chronic diseases, helping patients who suffer from devastating diseases such as cancer and bringing our innovative medicine to China.

Bayer has taken the lead in corporate social responsibility projects in China. Could you share your experience in the field?

Let me share with you an example.Bayer China Volunteer Association is an employee-driven community service that has been actively engaging more than 4,600 employees since 2009.

Employeescontribute their time and skillsto help those who are in need.

Their initiatives include projects to help the disabled ones, elderly, women and children,protect environment, educate science, and support charitableprogramssuch as disaster relief and poverty reduction.

Bayer Pharma made a record 1.6 billion euros ($1.77 billion) in sales in China last year, up 7 percent compared with the previous year. What is your target for this year?

We have confidence in China. Bayer has been in China for many years, and we are here to stay. Throughout the years our focus has always been on building sustainability in growth, in social responsibility and in talent development. And without a doubt, we will continue on that path.

Wei Jiang

Bayer: 2012-now

July 2015-now: Executive vice-president of Commercial Operations, responsible for Bayer Pharmaceuticals China and Asia-Pacific region; and managing director, Bayer Pharmaceuticals China

2012-2015: Vice-president and region head, Pharmaceuticals, Asia-Pacific region

AstraZeneca: 2006-2012

2011 to 2012: Senior vice-president, AstraZeneca China Operations

2010-2012: Regional marketing director, China, Japan and Asia-Pacific region, AstraZeneca

2007-2010: President, AstraZeneca Taiwan Operations

2006-2007: Vice-president, Strategy and Business Development, AstraZeneca China Operations

Other positions:

2004-2006: Managing director, Guidant Corporation in China

1993-2004: Various sales, marketing and management positions at Eli Lilly

Education:

1991, MA in Economics, Indiana State University, Indiana, US

1988, BBA in Business Administration & Finance, Campbell University, North Carolina, US