The excellence of the Italian healthcare system at CMEF 2024

Dear Members and Friends,

On April 12, the event Italian Healthcare Eco-system for China was held during the China International Medical Equipment Fair (CMEF) in Shanghai. The seminar was organized by the China-Italy Chamber of Commerce (CICC) in collaboration with its Healthcare Working Group (HCWG) and the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) and saw an attendance of over 60 people and the presence of several important speakers.

The purpose of this seminar was to introduce Chinese companies to the Italian healthcare ecosystem and promote international collaboration and knowledge exchange to drive innovation and advance healthcare solutions. On the occasion of the first day of World Made in Italy Day, the seminar provided a platform to showcase the strengths and opportunities within the Italian healthcare sector, which represents one of the main examples of the linkage between scientific research, innovation and industrial excellence. The event facilitated networking and partnership opportunities between Chinese and Italian healthcare entities.

Italy's healthcare system is widely recognized for its excellence and consistently ranks highly in global assessments. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Italy's healthcare system is among the top 10 in the world for overall performance. The Bloomberg Healthcare Efficiency Index 2022 has classified the Italian Healthcare System as the fourth most efficient in the world. These rankings highlight Italy's dedication to providing high-quality healthcare services to its citizens and position the country as an appealing destination for international collaboration and investment in healthcare.

Tiziana D’Angelo, Consul General at the Consulate General of Italy in Shanghai, inaugurated the seminar with institutional greetings and then handed over to moderator Augusto di Giacinto, Director of the ITA Office in Shanghai.

The Italian healthcare ecosystem comprises several sub-sectors, each characterized by excellence and innovation.

Luca Rosi, Health Attaché, Embassy of Italy in Beijing, focused on The Italian Medical Education Offer. In the field of education, Italy is home to prestigious medical schoolsand research institutions that attract students and scholars from around the world. Additionally, there are 61 medical schools and more than 1000 postgraduate programs for 50 different medical specializations. These institutions offer comprehensive training programs and conduct groundbreaking research in areas such as biomedicine, biotechnology, and healthcare management, which contribute to the progress of medical knowledge and innovation.

Vojko Bratina, Science and Technology Counsellor at the Consulate General of Italy in Shanghai, focused on China's capacity in selected health areas and the potential R&D cooperation opportunities with Italy. The presentation included statistics on China's recent growth in patent share and Italy's leadership in scientific publications in MedTech. On this matter, Italy and China have signed over 1000 bilateral agreements of cooperation, linking academia. Approximately 25% of these agreements are in medical sciences, and around 1/3 of them are in the Shanghai area.

Valtero Canepa, Coordinator of the CICC Healthcare Working Group and Head of China Region, Bracco Imaging Spa, then focused on the Italian offer in particular in the pharmaceutical sector. In 2022 Italy was the 6th biggest producer of pharmaceuticals and Italian pharmaceutical companies have made significant advancements in areas such as diagnostic imaging, oncology, neurology, and rare diseases, positioning themselves as key players in the global pharmaceutical landscape. China is ranked second in the world in terms of market value for pharmaceuticals and is expected to become the top producer of medical devices soon. Moreover, Italy considers China as one of its largest export destinations for medical devices, healthcare, and pharma.

A mention of medical tourism was also made. Italy has emerged as a leading destination for medical tourism, offering world-class healthcare services coupled with cultural attractions and scenic landscapes. Italian hospitals and clinics are known for providing a wide range of medical treatments and procedures, which has made them a popular destination for patients from all over the world seeking high-quality care in a desirable setting.

The Italian industry for medical devices is renowned for its cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions. Italian companies in this field are known for their competencies in fields like diagnostics and minimal-invasive surgery, offering innovative products that satisfy the highest international standards.

On this matter, Jintao Yu, Chief Production Officer at Copan Medical Shanghai Limited, shared valuable insights into the medical device industry in Italy and the ability of Italian solutions to meet the needs of the Chinese market.

Additionally, Andrea Santoleri, Manager of Medical Devices Certification at IMQ Spa, discussed the new In Vitro Diagnostics Regulation (IVDR) and Medical Device Regulation (MDR).

Lastly, Augusto di Giacinto, Director of the ITA Office in Shanghai, spoke about the Italian pavilion at CMEF and the participating companies. These are 12 innovative enterprises from Italy with cutting-edge technologies in respective areas, including diagnostics, imaging, equipment for ambulances, and testing.

Overall, the seminar provided Chinese companies with valuable insights into the Italian healthcare ecosystem, highlighting its strengths, opportunities, and potential for collaboration.

About China International Medical Equipment Fair (CMEF)

The China International Medical Equipment Fair (CMEF) is a world leading medical and health technology platform, provides a comprehensive display of technological advancements and solutions from across the entire medical industry chain. CMEF is dedicated to industry trends, technological innovation, and fostering future business opportunities and development, contributing to the global advancement of the medical industry.

Italian National Pavilion

The 89th China International Medical Equipment Expo

Exploring Italy's Presence at the 89th China International Medical Equipment Fair

The China International Medical Device Expo (CMEF) provides a platform for medical device manufacturers, distributors and healthcare professionals to gather and explore the latest advances in the field. The Italian Trade Agency along with the Consulate General of Italy in Shanghai organized a pavilion from leading Italian medical device companies at the 89th China International Medical Equipment Fair (CMEF) from April 11 to 14, 2024. With more than 5000 global medical device field enterprises, industry professionals to exchange industry development and build bridges.

Organized by ITA, the Italian National Pavilion, consisting of 12 leading Italian medical device companies, showcased cutting-edge medical technologies aimed at enhancing and improving overall medical outcomes, while underlining Italy's commitment to global cooperation and innovation exchange.

Participating companies at CMEF: