Advancing Shanghai's open innovation ecosystem for a better future

As a pioneer of China's high-quality development, Shanghai is rapidly growing into a globally influential sci-tech innovation hub and a world-class metropolis. With a rising position in shaping and driving global innovation, the city has made remarkable socioeconomic progress, enhanced urban services, and fostered thriving high-tech industries.

The International Business Leaders' Advisory Council (IBLAC) for the Mayor of Shanghai has played a key role in this journey, acting as a visionary platform for dialogue and collaboration between global business leaders and the Shanghai municipal government. By bridging international perspectives and cultivating strategic partnerships, IBLAC provides valuable insights to support Shanghai's ambition to evolve from an innovation centre into a hub of global influence and leadership.

Roche has contributed to the IBLAC journey for over two decades, and I have had the privilege of personally participating in IBLAC for 16 years. This year, the 37th IBLAC meeting focuses on innovation and openness. I'm delighted to explore with fellow members how Shanghai can leverage emerging technologies to drive transformative innovation, enhance its capabilities and international standing, and foster the openness essential for multinational companies to thrive. Together, we are contributing to Shanghai's next five years of development toward a better future.

Unwavering commitment to innovation that will bring long-term growth

As a long-serving IBLAC member and an old friend of Shanghai, I have witnessed the city grow into a global innovation hub. From my perspective, there are two fundamental elements that have greatly contributed to this success, innovation and openness.

The first key element is Shanghai's unwavering commitment to innovation, which will eventually develop into prosperity. Most notably, digital transformation, particularly recent AI advances across industries, has unlocked unprecedented opportunities for companies in China. Experiencing firsthand some of the nation's most groundbreaking AI innovations, I was deeply impressed by how Shanghai, as a globally influential innovation hub, not only embraces but actively drives technological breakthroughs.

Furthermore, the city has built a well-integrated innovation ecosystem - encompassing talent, funding, services, data and infrastructure - that attracts academic institutions, startups, local and global companies.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of Sino-Swiss diplomatic ties. As one of the first Swiss companies with business presence in China, Roche is proud to have had a long-standing presence in Shanghai for nearly a century, devoting itself to fulfilling its long-term commitment to the Chinese market by providing Chinese patients with first-class, differentiated medicines and diagnostics solutions, and empowering the local healthcare ecosystem. We are one of the first foreign pharmaceutical companies to establish a pharma R&D Centre in China, and Roche has continuously invested in research and development in China over the past 20 years. We've been recognizing the country's rise for its scientific innovation and vibrant biotech ecosystem, and strengthening the partnerships with local biotech companies. In this spirit, Roche launched the Roche Accelerator in Shanghai, our first in-house accelerator globally, catalyzing and empowering Chinese biotech start-ups and entrepreneurs. The goal is to bridge early-stage innovation from concept to proof-of-concept, and accelerate breakthrough innovations into next-generation therapeutics. Roche also supports innovation through a network of external collaborations, and open innovation initiatives, such as our partnership with Chinese biotech innovators in recent years.

Open dialogue and international cooperation to co-create a better future

Alongside its robust innovation ecosystem, another key driver of Shanghai's success is the close interaction between business and government. This is particularly important for highly regulated industries like life sciences. Shanghai seeks an open dialogue with different stakeholders, welcoming diverse perspectives and facilitating collaboration. In light of unprecedented global challenges, there is a pressing need for an even increased international cooperation, particularly in science and technology.

Benefitting from Shanghai's open business environment, Roche has taken the lead in building and upgrading our end-to-end value chain across research, development, manufacturing, commercialisation and partnering. In line with this commitment, we recently announced a RMB 2.04 billion investment to build a new state-of-the-art biologic manufacturing site in Shanghai, further strengthening Roche's entire pharmaceutical value chain in China by enhancing its supply chain and local manufacturing presence. It also reaffirms Roche's long-term commitment to improving the well-being of the Chinese people. This new site will become Roche Pharma's second site in China dedicated to manufacturing innovative medicines, meeting the growing demand in the country. Together, these sites will help more people across the country live healthier lives.

As we continue our journey here, we are proud to partner with Shanghai in contributing to China's open innovation ecosystem. China has long been, and continues to be, a vital part of Roche's global strategy. We are confident in its long-term growth potential and remain committed to co-creating a better future in, with and for China.