Successful Conclusion of the Sino-UK Healthcare Summit 2023

London, 13th March 2023 – The Sino-UK Healthcare Summit 2023, a collaborative initiative by Serica, the UK Department for Business & Trade, and Santander, drew to a successful close on March 9th, 2023. This three-day virtual event provided a comprehensive exploration of the opportunities, risks, and challenges present in China’s dynamic healthcare market. With an array of distinguished speakers and insightful sessions, the summit offered invaluable knowledge and networking opportunities for ambitious UK-based healthcare innovators.

Day 1: Innovations & Opportunities

The summit kicked off with a keynote address by Benjamin Speyer, CEO at Serica, providing attendees with a broad overview of the Chinese healthcare market. followed by keynotes from Chandler Chen (Executive Director, iCampus, Astra Zeneca), Sheng Ge (Director of Strategy Development, Wei Mai), Yiran Song (Managing Director, Marathon Venture Partners), who showcased their China-based innovations and market insights. The day concluded with a panel moderated by Kiran Patel (Senior Director, CBBC) featuring several UK healthcare innovators who shared their experiences of doing business in China.

Day 2: Challenges & Risks

Day two focused on uncovering and demystifying the risks and challenges inherent in conducting business in China. Expert speakers including Sarunas Nastys (COO, Serica) discussed how to assess your China readiness; Alex Roberts (Partner, Linklaters) provided insights on managing IP risks; Leo Shen (Head of Technology, Hays China) shared his thoughts on recruiting and retaining local talent; Rosie Hawes (Partner, Control Risks) offered guidance on how to conduct effective due diligence; and Ray Chisnall (Chair, BritCham Shanghai) shared information about how you can engage and integrate into the British community.

Day 3: Market Entry 101

The summit concluded with a deep dive into various modes of market entry and financial considerations for prospective investors and partners. Benjamin Speyer, filling in for Duke Wang (Managing Partner & Head of China, Serica) shared insights on organic and inorganic entry strategies; Richard Barham (Corporate Partner, Dentons) discussed legal considerations prior to entry; Alex Phillips (China Corridor Director, Santander) and Elaine Feng (Product Manager, Bank of Shanghai) covered key financial considerations and how Santander can support SMEs; Hamish King (COO, Cisema) talked through how to get regulatory approval efficiently. The day finished with a highly informative panel featuring prospective investors and partners including Henry Huang, (CEO, Hakim Unique Group), Oscar Ramos (GM & MD of SOSV), and Archie Preston (Overseas Strategy & Investment Director) who shared what they look for when investing or doing business with healthcare innovators.

Conclusion:

The Sino-UK Healthcare Summit 2023 marked a pivotal moment in fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange between the UK and Chinese healthcare sectors. With a wealth of insights and networking opportunities, attendees left equipped with the tools and strategies needed to navigate the complexities of the Chinese healthcare market. Serica, the UK Department for Business & Trade, and Santander extend their gratitude to all participants for their contributions to this successful event and look forward to welcoming back attendees in 2025.