Nobel laureates gather in China to discuss biomedical innovation

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Biopharmaceuticals, or drug products produced by biotechnology, remain a hot-button issue across China.

It is up for discussion among Nobel laureates and scientists who are in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, for an annual medical conference.

Biopharmaceuticals refers to drug products made from biological sources, like vaccines and blood, which makes up roughly 10 percent of China's total pharmaceutical market.

China's biopharmaceutical sector has seen robust growth since the reform and opening up policy of the late 1970s. Experts at the 2018 Fifth World Laureate Science Summit and Global Biomedical Innovation Conference hailed the nation's talent strategy.

Peter Agre, 2003 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, delivered a speech at the conference held at Western China International Expo City in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. /CGTN Photo

Peter Agre, 2003 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, said China's advantages lie in its rich resources of highly talented and motivated scientists.

Compared to more developed countries, China, however, still lags behind in other ways.

Pan Guangcheng, Executive Chairman of China Pharmaceutical Industry Association, told CGTN that it's time to address the challenge, which includes technological innovation as well as product quality improvement.

He also mentioned China's recent vaccine scandal involving Changchun Changsheng Bio-tech Co, which was found to have fabricated production records for rabies vaccines used on humans.

The conference brought an opportunity for Nobel Laureates, scientists and business insiders to exchange ideas on the biopharmaceutical industry's development. /CGTN Photo

China is now the world's second largest pharmaceutical market. However, some of its most innovative biological products rely heavily on imports from other countries.

While various solutions have been presented, participants attending the conference agree that there are no shortcuts, and requires patience.

Edward I. Moser, 2014 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine, recommended that China needs to take steps to invest in basic science and sciences that address the causes of diseases.

This suggestion was echoed by Wang Mingwei, Director of China's National Center for Drug Screening. He also pinpointed the urgency in China's educational sector to encourage students to challenge existing knowledge and foster an independent and critical way of thinking.

In 2017, China officially became a member of the International Council for Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use, or ICH. It's a historic step for the nation to join other countries in developing high-quality medicines with consistent standards.

After joining the council, it's expected to be much easier for drug makers, in and outside China, to bring their products across borders, which in turn can improve pharmaceutical development and production.