Mundipharma to further tap nation's health sector

Mundipharma, a global pharmaceutical company specializing in pain management, is set to expand investment in China as the country's rapidly evolving healthcare innovation ecosystem creates new opportunities, its global CEO said, highlighting China's growing role as an increasingly important source of medical innovation.

"China is definitely very important within the global Mundipharma organization," Marc Princen, global CEO of Mundipharma, said in a recent interview with China Daily. "It is critical because of the size of the market and the unmet needs among patients in China."

Drawing on experience in the Chinese market, Princen said he has witnessed the country's transformation from a market mainly adopting international innovations into an increasingly important contributor to global healthcare advancement.

"I have had the privilege of witnessing the evolution of China's healthcare sector," he said. "The sector today is light-years ahead of where it was 25 years ago."

One of the most significant changes, Princen said, is the rapid development of China's pharmaceutical innovation capabilities.

The progress of China's innovative medicine sector has been reflected in the growing number of new medicines reaching patients. In 2025, China approved 76 innovative medicines for marketing, a record high, including 11 first-in-class medicines, according to data from the National Medical Products Administration.

"In the past, innovation mainly came from the United States or Europe and was introduced to China," he said. "Now the trajectory is changing. More innovation will come from China and go to the rest of the world."

He attributed China's growing innovation strength to a combination of factors, including government support, talent resources, advanced clinical-trial capabilities and manufacturing capacity.

"The 'Healthy China 2030' initiative has created a platform for healthcare development," Princen said, adding that China has developed strong capabilities in conducting clinical trials and improving healthcare outcomes.

Industry analysis has also highlighted China's rising role in global biopharmaceutical innovation.

According to Deloitte's analysis of China's biopharmaceutical sector, China has shifted from a "supporting act" in the global biopharma ecosystem to an innovation leader.

The report also pointed to growing opportunities for global pharmaceutical companies to collaborate with Chinese innovators as China becomes an increasingly important contributor to the global biopharmaceutical landscape.

For Mundipharma, China's evolving healthcare landscape has reinforced the company's long-term commitment to the market, Princen said. Having operated in China for more than 30 years, the company has continued to expand its presence and advance pain management in the country.

Princen said the company's commitment to China extends beyond providing medicines. Mundipharma is investing more than $10 million in a technology transfer project to establish local manufacturing capabilities in Beijing.

The project started in 2023 and is expected to receive regulatory approval by the fourth quarter of 2027, with production scheduled to begin in 2028. Once operational, the facility will produce oral pain medicines for the Chinese market locally, helping improve patient access and ensure a stable supply.

"Upon completion of the project, more than 70 percent of our products for the Chinese market will be produced in China," Princen said.

He added that improving pain management remains an important area for development in China. Citing World Health Organization data, Princen said China's analgesic consumption per million people remains relatively low globally, reflecting significant unmet medical needs.

Looking ahead, Princen said Mundipharma will continue deepening cooperation with China, including exploring partnerships with local innovators and leveraging China's growing healthcare capabilities for global development.

"We really want to collaborate with China and Chinese companies to draw on the capabilities, expertise and skills of Chinese professionals and advance healthcare," he said.

"We have been in China for more than 30 years, and we will continue to be here for the decades to come."