In an era of "internet + healthcare," French pharmaceutical company Sanofi is putting digital innovation at the core of development strategies, in a bid to bring more innovative solutions to meet the diverse health needs of Chinese people, a company's top executive said.

By accelerating drug innovation and improving the quality and efficiency of disease diagnosis and treatment, Sanofi has been improving access to healthcare, helping to meet the most pressing medical needs that China is facing in the coming decade, Pius S. Hornstein, country lead of Sanofi Greater China, said.

"We've noticed accelerated innovation in China's healthcare system," Hornstein said. As an innovator in digital healthcare, the Paris-headquartered company has been dedicated to promoting digital transformation of the healthcare industry.

As early as in 2019, Sanofi China took a step ahead of the industry to establish a dedicated team for internet hospitals, becoming a pioneer of internet healthcare among multinational pharmaceutical companies.

This year, the Sanofi internet hospital team will make its debut at the fourth China International Import Expo scheduled from Nov 5 to 10 in Shanghai, focusing on the team's innovations guided by its digitalization strategy.

Sanofi has attended the previous three editions of the CIIE, the world's first import-themed national-level exhibition.

Based on the concept of "Innovation Accelerator", Sanofi's booth aims at demonstrating the company's commitment and investment in China, showcasing diverse healthcare solutions and channels, and highlighting the successful results of its digital innovations.

A total of 20 star products, including Sarclisa, for treatment of relapsed multiple myeloma, and Coplavix, for the prevention of atherosclerotic thrombosis in adult patients with acute coronary syndrome who have taken clopidogrel and aspirin, and three other consumer health products will be displayed for the first time.

Sanofi is also working with leading internet companies and startups, in an effort to create a new era of digital healthcare as a leading provider of digital solutions, Hornstein said.

In September, 2020, Sanofi, together with JD Health, a digital healthcare platform under JD, launched an online center for the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes, the first health management platform for Chinese patients with diabetes, which ushers in a new era of one-stop health management service.

In June, Sanofi joined hands with JD Heath again, announcing a strategic partnership to leverage their strengths to promote strategic initiatives in five areas－prescription drugs, vaccines, consumer health products, medical services, and commercial insurance.

Among the first batch of foreign companies to come to China after the beginning of China's reform and opening-up, Sanofi entered the Chinese market in 1982 and has seen sustained rapid development in the country.

In the nearly 40 years, Sanofi has brought to China more than 40 products spanning the areas of chronic disease, specialty drugs, vaccines, and consumer health.

Sanofi has also established three manufacturing sites, four research and development centers, and one digital innovation center in China. In particular, the Beijing Production Base, which was completed 25 years ago, has now become Sanofi's largest manufacturing site for insulin in the Asia-Pacific, supplying high-quality products to China as well as other Asia-Pacific markets, including South Korea, Japan, and Australia.

"We hope that the spirit of innovation that Sanofi is actively promoting will help the sustainable development of the healthcare ecosystem, and contributes to the goals of the 14th Five Year Plan and the Healthy China 2030 initiative", Hornstein said.

"In the future, we will accelerate the introduction of innovative products, to introduce more than 25 innovative medicines and vaccines to China between 2020 and 2025 to meet diverse health needs."