China Daily Global Edition (USA)
Healthcare giant plans to increase investment
The success rate of new drug research and development is very low globally.” Wu Dong, Johnson & Johnsons
Johnson & Johnson plans to increase funding in China as the government starts roll-ing out policies to boost inno-vation in the pharmaceutical sector and help startups. The healthcare products giant based in the United States aims to invest about $500 million to support research and development here. We have strong confidence in China with the government bringing in reforms for drug innovation as well as helping startups in the sector," said Wu Dong, head of the Asia Pacific Innovation Center at Johnson & Johnson. last month, the China Food and Drug Administration unveiled four draft regula-tions to encourage innovation and research in the pharma-ceutical industry In March, CFDA released a draft regulation that would give easier access to new for-eign drugs entering the Chi-nese market at the same time as the rest of the world. Wu confi rmed that Johnson & Johnson Asia Pacifi c Innovation Center, or APIC, will identify and seek opportunities across the company’s three key areas - pharmaceuticals, medical devices and consumer healthcare products. The plan is to closely collaborate with healthcare technology companies, research institutions and venture capital investors. “We have reviewed more than 1,000 opportunities in China and related Asia Pacific countries in the past two years to explore potential science and technology solutions in our strategic area,” Wu said. APIC will take a stake in new businesses, with investment opportunities ranging from hundreds of thousands of dollars to tens of millions of dollars. “The success rate of new drug research and development is very low globally, so we want to help startups with our experts and funds at an early stage,” Wu said. Together with the group’s three other innovation centers in London, Boston and California, APIC has funded 300 startup companies since 2014. Alex Gorsky, chief executive offi cer of Johnson & Johnson, confi rmed in Beijing earlier this year that he is optimistic about the future of healthcare in China and the company’s role here. “We make sure we are identifying, partnering, creating relationships with the very best new ideas,” he told People’s Daily.