On March 24, 2023, PUMCH received the delegation led by Mr. Christophe Weber, President and CEO of Takeda Pharmaceuticals. The two sides exchanged views on scientific and technological innovation, clinical research, personnel training and drug R&D, among others, and expressed the willingness to continuously carry out in-depth cooperation based on shared values for the health and well-being of mankind. This is the first face-to-face international exchange since the COVID-19 outbreak for PUMCH, carried out in the context of China’s intensified diplomatic activities in 2023.

PUMCH President Zhang Shuyang pointed out that under China’s new “whole-nation system”, scientific and technological innovation and clinical research in medicine have been advancing on a faster track. “But to fully satisfy patients’ needs, there is still a long way to go, particularly when it comes to medical challenges that are yet to resolved. To that end, we need to improve our own capabilities and also broaden our horizon by engaging in more international cooperation and exchanges,” President Zhang added.

▲President Zhang shared her outlook for cooperation with Takeda Pharmaceuticals

“Like PUMCH, Takeda has a long history and upholds the patient-centered values. Over the past 10 years, it has been committed to delivering to patients medicines that improve their health and their life,” said Mr. Weber. He expressed his hope that the in-depth collaboration between the two sides would bring tangible benefits to patients in China and even around the world. Mr. Shan Guohong, Senior Vice President of Takeda Pharmaceuticals and President of Takeda China, introduced Takeda’s development plans in China.

▲Christophe Weber, President and CEO of Takeda Pharmaceuticals

▲Shan Guohong, President of Takeda China

▲Exchange of gifts

President Zhang thanked Takeda Pharmaceuticals for its contribution in such areas as new drug marketing, talent training and scientific and technological innovation in China and said that she looked forward to the in-depth cooperation with Takeda in various fields in the future. Through in-depth exchanges, the two sides agreed to continue to deepen cooperation in various fields: work together to build a high-quality innovation system for clinical trials so that Chinese patients can benefit from new drug development earlier; create an open cooperation ecosystem, expand international exchanges and cultivate medical talents; improve the capabilities in big data and expand the types of diseases covered by existing production lines.

▲Before the meeting, Vice President Du Bin showed the delegation around the Translational Medicine Complex and the Medical Records Exhibition

“PUMCH is unwaveringly committed to high-level international cooperation and exchanges,” said President Zhang firmly. She looked forward to deepening and accelerating the cooperation with Takeda Pharmaceuticals, improving the capabilities and bringing out the potential for the ultimate purpose of improving the health and wellbeing of mankind.

Written by Chen Xiao

Photographed by Sun Liang

Edited by Xiao Xiong and Wang Yao

Translated by Liu Haiyan