Pfizer looks to debut 24 new products in China by 2025

US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer is aiming to launch 24 first-in-class new therapies and new indications and drugs in China market by 2025 as part of efforts to contribute to the Healthy China 2030 Initiative, the company's top executive for China said on Thursday, the first day of the 4th China International Import Expo (CIIE).

Jean-Christophe Pointeau, president of Pfizer Biopharmaceutical Group China, said that these new products will cover the fields of oncology, vaccines, anti-infectives, inflammation and immunology, and rare disease areas.

A restructuring of departments at Pfizer China will also take place to facilitate the launch of these products, he added.

"The restructuring is aimed at accelerating clinical trials and the approval of the portfolio, as well as improve accessibility and affordability to ensure that more patients in the country benefit," said Pointeau, who assumed his role in September.

External factors in the Chinese market such as digitalization, remote medical service, and personalized medical treatment also prompted the company to carry out the restructuring.

"We're confident that with the restructuring, a new portfolio, a good strategy, and the best team, we'll continue to thrive in China," he said.

With regard to the CIIE, Pointeau described the expo as a major event not only for China but for the world as it helps forge closer relations between China and other nations.

"For our company, CIIE is of great significance as we've been maintaining efforts to push forward more exchanges with local pharmaceutical players," he said.

"Also, in a time when the world is trying to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the 4th CIIE serves as an opportunity of international reconnection."

Pfizer is showcasing a wide range of products, including its latest breakthroughs, at the CIIE this year. Key exhibits include innovative cancer therapies such as the PD-1 inhibitor that is used to treat drug-resistant lung cancer patients.