On April 21, 2024, the first 2024 meeting of the CRO Branch (Clinical Research Organization Branch) of the China Pharmaceutical Quality Management Association, hosted by Guangzhou Yushi Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd., was successfully convened in Suzhou. Nearly 50 representatives from a total of 34 member institutions attended the meeting.
At the opening of the meeting, Zhao Guiying, Vice President of the China Pharmaceutical Quality Management Association, delivered an inspiring speech. She addressed issues concerning the governance and development of the big health industry, proposed approaches to upgrade industry quality through the association and its branch, and expressed hopes that such platforms would facilitate robust communication and growth among enterprises across the sector. Wu Jie, Chairman of NorthStar (Beijing) Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd. and Incoming Chairman of the Branch, underscored the importance of maintaining a positive mindset, encouraging attendees to face industry headwinds squarely while seizing embedded opportunities.
Secretary-General Wang Wei reported to representatives of all participating institutions on the Branch’s 2024 work progress, covering event arrangements, membership fee collection and financial status. Following a ballot vote by member representatives, the application of Beijing Kangzhong Times Pharmaceutical Technology Group Co., Ltd. for membership was unanimously approved.
During the meeting, participating representatives held sharing sessions and discussions centered on the theme “Industry Development Amid Big Data and Artificial Intelligence Trends”. Two speakers from member organizations were invited to deliver keynote presentations: Qin Long, CEO of Yilinyun (Shenzhen) Technology Co., Ltd., and Li Ji, Deputy General Manager of EdiGene Pharmaceutical Technology (Jiaxing) Co., Ltd.
Via online connection, Mr. Qin shared a speech titled “A Brief Discussion on AI-Empowered Clinical Research”, which covered core AI concepts, real-world application cases in clinical research, and prospects for future development. Mr. Li presented a keynote entitled “Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence in Clinical Trials”, reviewing the industry’s evolutionary trajectory and analyzing forward-looking development trends.
The meeting also invited five Institutional Office Directors as panel discussants: Yang Jianmiao, Director of the Institutional Office at Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province; Wang Ying, Director of the Institutional Office at Xi’an Daxing Hospital; Li Shuang, Director of the Institutional Office at Henan Infectious Diseases Hospital; Miao Jingwei, Director of the Institutional Office at the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University; and Yang Mengchang, Deputy Director of the Institutional Office at Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital.
Dr. Xiao Liang, Founder of Hippcrates, attended the meeting on behalf of the company. Representatives from numerous member organizations took part in in-depth exchanges and panel dialogues. Attendees shared industry insights based on their respective positions within the industrial ecosystem and outlined outlooks on industry trends and response strategies for the new year. All participants reached a consensus that resource integration amid the new landscape would expand business boundaries for all stakeholders to seize opportunities and embrace a new chapter of industrial advancement. Representatives highlighted the pivotal role of AI technologies in boosting the efficiency and quality of clinical research, and called for joint collaboration among all parties to better leverage such technologies to resolve practical operational pain points and drive sound industrial development.
To conclude the meeting, Dr. Ye Xiaoping, Chairman of Hangzhou Tigermed Consulting Co., Ltd. and Chairman of the CRO Branch of the China Pharmaceutical Quality Management Association, delivered a closing address. He revisited discussions on electronic and data-based transformation held four years prior, emphasizing the rapid shifts brought by the big data era, and elaborated on intelligent applications in the pharmaceutical sector, including quality assurance and cost control for clinical trials, as well as the deployment of data and intelligent tools in hospital information systems. He also stressed the significance of optimized protocols in pharmaceutical R&D, stating that intelligent technologies such as AI represent an irreversible trend in drug development. Against mounting cost pressures, he urged R&D teams across enterprises to collaboratively adopt intelligent technologies for drug research and development to cut costs and elevate overall quality.
The meeting concluded successfully amid lively exchanges. The next session is scheduled to take place from June 28 to 29 in Dali, Yunnan, renowned for its picturesque scenery.
