In recent years, as the regulatory landscape has undergone continuous changes and various new policies and regulations have been introduced, China's pharmaceutical industry has entered an era of major transformation and restructuring. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic at the end of 2019 further delivered a significant shock and impact to China's pharmaceutical sector, accelerating industry transformation and differentiation. Biopharmaceutical companies now face unprecedented challenges, yet they also encounter new opportunities.

How can biopharmaceutical companies in the Greater Bay Area seize these opportunities and overcome challenges to achieve greater growth? On the afternoon of June 29, the Guangdong Association of Biomedical Innovation Technology partnered with Guangzhou DiQi Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. to host a salon event on Guangzhou Bio Island. The event centered on the theme “How Pharmaceutical Companies in the Greater Bay Area Can Seize Opportunities and Pursue Collaborative Development in the Post-Pandemic Era.”

This event received strong support from the Guangdong Provincial Drug Administration and Guangzhou Development Zone. Deputy Director Yan Zhen, Director Fang Wei of the Administrative Licensing Division, Deputy Director Luo Yubing, Director Bi Jun of the Review and Certification Center, Deputy Director Huang Weijian of the Guangzhou Development Zone Investment Promotion Bureau, and Zheng Junyan of the Guangzhou Development Zone Science and Technology Innovation Bureau attended the salon. Other distinguished guests included Dean Ding Ke and Professor Wang Yuqiang from the School of Pharmacy at Jinan University, Dean Zhang Xumu of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences at Southern University of Science and Technology, Dr. Ke Huazhu, Founder of Anjisheng, Dr. Huang Jingfeng, General Manager of Shengzekanghua, Dr. Fang Xianfeng, Vice President of Angke Bio, Dr. Wen Xiaoguang, Chairman of Yueyang Pharmaceutical, as well as representatives from Health Yuan, Lizu Group, Zhongsheng Pharmaceutical, Sinopharm Zhijun, Teyi Pharmaceutical, Baiyunshan Pharmaceutical, Boji Pharmaceutical, Hanyu Pharmaceutical, Jiabo Pharmaceutical, Anshi Group, Kangzhe Pharmaceutical, Rundu Pharmaceutical, Zhongrun Group, Raffles, DiQi Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd, GB Testing & Inspection, Langsheng Pharmaceuticals, Lingsheng Medical, Medico, Mingkang Bio, Nanxin Pharmaceuticals, Aige Bio, Xinyang Weikang, Merck, AstraZeneca, Shankang Medical, Ruikang Pharmaceuticals, Chuangxiang Bio-Pharmaceutical, Zhonglian Pharmaceuticals, and other outstanding enterprises.

Executive President Zhu Shaoxuan of the Guangdong Association for Biomedical Innovation Technology served as the event host, introducing the theme, purpose, and significance of this salon to the attendees.

Deputy Director Yan Zhen of the Guangdong Provincial Drug Administration delivered opening remarks for the event. He first emphasized the regulatory authority's commitment to advancing Guangdong's biopharmaceutical industry and commended the association for organizing this salon. He urged attendees to prepare for long-term coexistence with the pandemic, contribute strategies for prevention and control, establish more sustainable development goals, and persist in innovation-driven growth. He concluded with three earnest requests for the pharmaceutical professionals in attendance: First, to embrace the shared vision of protecting and promoting public health; second, to pursue the common goal of ensuring drug safety, efficacy, and accessibility; and third, to steadfastly pursue an innovative path. The provincial drug regulatory authorities will also enhance their scientific oversight capabilities, support enterprise development, and better serve these shared vision and objectives.

Deputy Director Luo Yubing from the Administrative Licensing Division of the Guangdong Provincial Drug Administration delivered an insightful presentation titled “Challenges and Opportunities in Guangdong's Biomedical Development.” She outlined the recent development of Guangdong's biomedical industry, highlighted leading enterprises and competitive strengths across various biomedical sectors, identified seven key constraints currently limiting the province's biomedical growth, summarized opportunities for advancement, and concluded by exploring actionable points for all stakeholders to drive biomedical innovation. Her presentation encouraged attendees to engage in proactive thinking, refine strategic positioning, seize the golden decade of innovative drug development, and strengthen industrial chain integration and market expansion.

Professor Zhang Xumu, Dean of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences at Southern University of Science and Technology, shared insights and explored the development approach for highly effective, low-toxicity COVID-19 drugs in his presentation titled “S-Hydroxychloroquine: Reflections on a Potent, Low-Toxicity Anti-COVID-19 Medication.”

Dr. Liu Feng, Chairman of Guangzhou DiQi Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd., delivered a keynote speech titled “Challenges and Opportunities for High-End Formulations in the Post-Pandemic Era.” He introduced DiQi Pharma's collaborative model under the Marketing Authorization Holder (MAH) system, characterized by “innovation-driven, complementary expertise, and win-win cooperation,” and shared the company's experience and achievements in high-end formulation technology.

Entrepreneurs and scientists in attendance engaged in lively discussions on topics including accelerating the development of Guangdong's biomedical innovation, talent recruitment and cultivation, clinical research for innovative drugs, and establishing active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) industrial bases. Participants freely shared their perspectives and ideas, offering suggestions on seizing opportunities and overcoming challenges together. The conference not only yielded numerous effective policy recommendations but also successfully established a communication and collaboration platform between enterprises and innovative drug R&D institutions.

Finally, Director Wei of the Administrative Licensing Division at the Guangdong Provincial Drug Administration delivered concluding remarks, outlining the regulatory efforts undertaken in recent years to advance the development of the biopharmaceutical industry in Guangdong and the Greater Bay Area. He expressed hope that the assembled enterprises would join forces to contribute to the innovative growth of the region's biopharmaceutical sector.

To better serve enterprises in pursuing innovation and achieving brighter futures and directions, the Guangdong Association for Biomedical Innovation Technology will remain true to its founding mission in the days ahead. We will continue to identify themes of widespread corporate interest, address business needs, enhance our services, and refine our events. By building platforms for communication and exchange, we will provide stronger assistance and support to more enterprises, thereby fostering the innovative development of Guangdong's biomedical industry.

Article reprinted from: Guangdong Association of Biomedical Innovation Technology