Organon expands presence to bolster women’s health in China
Women’s health is gaining increasing global attention, notably with recent major government endorsements. In early April, senior commerce officials in China and the United States identified it as a pivotal area for collaboration between the world’s two largest economies.
In a landscape where the health of women is being recognized as a critical part of healthy communities, Organon, which is headquartered in the US, has emerged as a global leader dedicated to this cause, offering unwavering focus and commitment.
Stepping into its third year in China, Organon’s Chief Executive Officer Kevin Ali articulated an ambitious vision: to narrow the gap in women’s health and pioneer solutions to address women’s health issues in the country for a more sustainable future.
“As a global advocate for healthcare, especially for women’s health, Organon is committed to expanding its investment and commercial presence in China,” said Ali during the China Development Forum, or CDF, held in Beijing. “China is more than just a market; it is a strategic partner and an important epicenter of global operations, much like a second home for us. I learned during the CDF that there is a term in China called new quality productive forces. At Organon, we will continue to drive innovation not only in products but also in healthcare services through strengthened public-private partnerships with our key stakeholders to advance women’s health in China.”
Closing gap
The link between women’s health and economic productivity, prosperity, and contribution to economic output is undeniable. Healthier women contribute to better-educated and more productive societies, and maternal health is crucial to the health and economic wellbeing of subsequent generations through intergenerational spillovers.
The investment in women’s health not only benefits individual women. According to the World Economic Forum, narrowing women’s health gap would allow at least $1 trillion to be pumped into economic productivity annually. However, just 4 percent of all biopharma research and development spending goes toward female-specific conditions.
“Women’s health globally has received inadequate investment. Organon is a global healthcare company dedicated to women’s health. The empowerment of women’s health, this vision, passion and purpose drives us forward,” said Ali.
As a healthcare company, Organon is special. Besides women’s health, it also owns a decade-old business of established brands covering different disease areas such as respiratory, bone, pain, and cardiovascular health management.
The diversity of its business lays a solid foundation for the company to keep reinvesting in R&D, while the long-term operation in different therapeutic areas shapes Organon’s unique vision to understand women’s health in a broader and more comprehensive perspective.
Since its establishment, Organon has remained committed to listening to women and developing solutions to their most critical health challenges. The company is devoted to offering innovative solutions — both for female-specific health conditions, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome and endometriosis, and those affecting women disproportionately or differently, such as osteoporosis, and menopause management — aiming to improve women’s health and wellbeing across all life stages.
“It’s not an easy road, but I believe it’s the right time to have a company focused on solving some of the unmet needs and helping women across the world,” Ali added.
Sustainability
Over the decades, China has implemented numerous policies and laws that significantly elevated the status of women in the country. Some of the most remarkable achievements include the continuous lowering of the maternal mortality rate and the elimination of the gender gap. Maternal and child health has been integrated into the broader social development agenda.
Nevertheless, challenges persist. In 2022, the number of births in China fell below the number of deaths. “Demographic issues such as falling birth rates and their ultimate impact on economic growth is the connective tissue that binds much of the Asia-Pacific and the world,” Ali said during a speech at the CDF.
To promote high-quality population development, local governments are intensifying efforts to establish a fertility-friendly society. The report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China emphasizes the establishment of fertility support policies by reducing the costs of pregnancy, child-rearing and education. Improving birth policies is also listed as one of the priorities in the 2024 Government Work Report.
On March 30, the National Healthcare Security Administration released a newsletter announcing that four provinces had completed the inclusion of assisted reproduction services in medical insurance coverage.
“With the initial wave of reimbursement, I anticipate significant progress in improving the affordability of fertility treatment in China in the near future,” said Ali. “Organon fully supports these advancements. We are looking forward to ongoing government initiatives and hoping to join hands with all stakeholders to offer more families affordable and accessible fertility choices.”
Partnerships
Beyond his dedication to advancing women’s health, Ali is also one of the notable pharmaceutical leaders actively forging public-private partnerships. “True progress only happens through partnership,” Ali said. “Innovation is important, but it is meaningless if it does not reach people where and when they need it.”
Regarding public-private partnerships, Organon emphasized its dedication to leveraging its global resource network to deliver innovative products and health solutions.
Organon is committed to bringing in innovative drugs that will advance treatments in China. One example Ali mentioned is a pioneering medical device designed to manage abnormal postpartum hemorrhage. “And we have other products that hopefully will be launched in China in the nottoo-distant future,” he said.
At the same time, Organon is cooperating with key stakeholders to ensure everyone can access highquality treatment via innovative business or partnership models, and some of the efforts include the expansion of retail channels, the enhancement of supply resilience and enhancement of public disease awareness.
“China provides fertile ground, an environment embracing innovation and cooperation, where Organon’s mission can flourish,” Ali said, adding that Organon will continue to collaborate with associations, academia, and businesses in the future, advocating a holistic approach to elevating women’s health.
Call for action
China is the second-largest market for Organon. The company is now intensifying its efforts to boost investment in China, aligning with its significant business presence in the region and reflecting its ambitions for this market, ensuring broader access to Organon’s products for the Chinese population, according to Ali.
At this year’s China Development Forum, Ali was engaged in extensive discussions with governmental officials. “Throughout our discussions, we found the Chinese government to be very supportive to our efforts to help women in China,” said Ali.
In addition to continuously expanding its presence in the women’s health business and maintaining established brand businesses, the company is finalizing several local deals in China.
“We see China emerging as a hub for innovation in biotech and other areas, with interesting assets in women’s health and beyond,” Ali said.
Since its launch, Organon has already collaborated with many Chinese companies in the biotech space to seek opportunities where it can leverage its commercialization experience to help China’s achievements go global.
A partnership with Shanghaibased biotech company Henlius through a license and supply agreement for commercializing two of Henlius’ biologics in other countries and regions is one example, and Ali added, “more is coming for the world to benefit from Chinese innovation.”