On the afternoon of June 22, Yin Li, Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, met with Giovanni Caforio, Board Chair of Novartis.

Yin gave an overview of the development of Beijing’s medical and health sector. He said that Beijing has established a relatively complete public health system and medical service system covering all residents, with strong pharmaceutical research capabilities and a huge demand in the medical service market. Over the years, Beijing has been committed to improving people’s health, continuously optimizing policies and services, and vigorously promoting the development of the medical and health industry. As a leading international medical and health company, Novartis is one of the first foreign pharmaceutical companies to invest and build plants in China. It is hoped that Novartis will accelerate the expansion and upgrading of its Changping plant, continuously enhance its advanced manufacturing capabilities, strengthen local production capacity planning, and introduce more innovative drugs and high-end preparations for production in Beijing. Novartis is also expected to strengthen its R&D capabilities in Beijing, deepen innovation partnerships with medical institutions, research institutes, and pharmaceutical companies, and give priority to commercializing innovative outcomes in Beijing. Novartis is encouraged to collaborate with Beijing-based sci-tech enterprises to jointly expand the application of artificial intelligence in pharmaceutical manufacturing, precision diagnosis and treatment, and digital management of chronic diseases, thereby developing new sources of competitive advantage. It is also hoped that Novartis will draw on its wealth of experience and data in public health and chronic disease management to contribute more substantially to Beijing’s efforts in strengthening its disease prevention and medical service systems.

Giovanni said that, thanks to Beijing’s vibrant innovation ecosystem and first-class business services, Novartis has achieved rapid development in the city. In line with its long-term commitment to China and Beijing, Novartis will accelerate the expansion and upgrading of its Changping plant, further enhance its manufacturing capabilities, deepen cooperation in pharmaceutical innovation, and launch more innovative drugs and advanced therapies to benefit more patients.

Zhao Lei, Member of the Standing Committee and Secretary General of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, attended the meeting.