China – New partnership opens opportunities for Danish companies in the growing Chinese healthcare market

It must be easier for Danish companies to enter the Chinese market. Therefore, Danish Life Science Cluster and The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark have established a new partnership to create easier access to China for Danish companies within medtech, healthtech and rehabilitation – with a special focus on a designated specialty medical zone.

The Chinese market for healthcare solutions is growing rapidly. But Danish companies lack knowledge about the world’s second largest market for medical devices and medicines, and this slows down potential Danish export adventures.

To further explore the potential market opportunities in China, Danish Life Science Cluster, Innovation Center Denmark in Shanghai, The Trade Council in China and Nordic Life Science Platform ApS have formed a new partnership with the support from MedTech Denmark.

– We wish to give Danish companies within medtech, healthtech and rehabilitation a safer, more efficient and easier access to the Chinese healthcare market. Therefore, the purpose of the new partnership is, among other things, to create knowledge about the current opportunities for embarking on a potential growth adventure. In addition, we will address the challenges that Danish companies need to be aware of, The internationalization advisor at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Danish Life Science Cluster, Marco Thomas Lund, says.

The focus of the partnership is the specialty medical zone of Hainan Boao Lecheng and the special rules, incentives and opportunities in this area.

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Special medical zone

Hainan Boao Lecheng is designated as a special medical zone in China. In September 2019, the area was awarded special incentives with the aim of creating a world-class international medical destination and cluster for advanced medical care, professional rehabilitation, medical R&D and technological innovation in China.

Today, there are 12 hospitals and 5 service centers in operation – with 5 new hospitals opening in 2023 and another ten planned. The total construction cost is estimated at RMB 100 billion (USD 16 billion). When completed, Hainan Boao Lecheng will have 12,000 hospital beds, receive up to 300,000 patients annually and employ 28,500 medical staff, including 3,500 research and education staff.

Fast authorization procedures

Among other things, Hainan Boao Lecheng offers fast-track approval procedures that make it easier and faster to register, import and sell medical equipment and medicines for use in the zone, even if they are not yet registered in China. The solution must be approved abroad with a CE mark, FDA license or PMDA approval.

Today, Hainan Boao Lecheng is the only place in China where real-world data can be collected and used from the use of medical devices and medicines imported during the rapid approval procedures. This data can complement the application for the national NMPA registration, which can speed up the approval process for sales in the rest of China.

Unique partnership with a focus on direct matchmaking

The partnership between Danish Life Science Cluster, Innovation Center Denmark in Shanghai, The Trade Council in China and Nordic Life Science Platform ApS is unique in its form of collaboration. The focus is on performing direct commercial matchmaking for Danish companies within medtech, healthtech and rehabilitation with the Chinese hospitals in Hainan Boao Lecheng.

The partnership will thus contribute to direct exports and job creation. In addition, it will be the platform where Chinese stakeholders and partners can get inspiration on how to build the coherent healthcare system of the future with focus on sustainability, social equality, and a good working environment.

Read about the partnership between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Danish Life Science Cluster

“Our ambition is also for the partnership to facilitate Danish-Chinese collaborations in the life science area. This will be done, among other things, through mutual visits to Denmark and China and through the establishment of thematic network groups between Danish and Chinese stakeholders such as authorities, hospitals and knowledge institutions, Marco Thomas Lund, says.