At the ongoing 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE), executives from leading multinational pharmaceutical companies AstraZeneca and GSK said that China is becoming an increasingly vital player in global drug discovery and development. AstraZeneca, a regular exhibitor at all eight CIIEs, brought its latest breakthrough drug Savolitinib, developed through joint research in China. Reic added that the company's China research and development operations are now a major part of its global innovation network. GSK, another long-time CIIE participant, is also embedding China's innovation into its global pipeline. Both executives said China's scientific talent, advanced research environment, and rapid integration of AI are accelerating global pharmaceutical innovation. This year's CIIE, opening on Wednesday and running until November 10, features the largest exhibition space in its history and brings together a record 4,108 enterprises from 138 countries and regions across the world. Shotlist: Shanghai, China - Nov 4, 2025: 1. Various of AstraZeneca's booth at 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE), exhibits; 2. SOUNDBITE (English) Iskra Reic, Executive Vice President, AstraZeneca: "Savolitinib in combination with Osimertinib received the FDA breakthrough designation and has a potential to be approved by other global regulators. It would be a great example of the drug developed in China, for China and for the world."; FILE: Shanghai, China - Date Unknown 3. Various of AstraZeneca's Shanghai research and development center; researchers working; Shanghai, China - Nov 4, 2025 4. SOUNDBITE (English) Iskra Reic, Executive Vice President, AstraZeneca: "This is the real example of how China accelerates even more in the future in terms of the science, discovery and development. For example, in 2022, when we opened the Shanghai research and development center, there was only one clinical development study led by our China team for the globe. Currently, we have 20 clinical studies from our R and D centers in China."; 5. Various of GSK's booth at 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE), exhibits; 6. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Sherman Yu, Vice President, GSK; General Manager, GSK China (partially overlaid with shot 7): "CIIE has expanded our network and opened up new models of collaboration with Chinese companies. This July, we signed an agreement with Hengrui to co-develop around 12 innovative drugs. Leveraging Hengrui's R and D capabilities and GSK's global R and D and registration expertise, we aim to bring these high-quality products to international markets." [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]; 7. Various of GSK's exhibits [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]; 8. Various of GSK's booth at 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE); 9. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Sherman Yu, Vice President, GSK; General Manager, GSK China (ending with shot 10): "We hope to use the CIIE platform this year to showcase our R and D progress and bring China's innovation to the world."; 10. Various of GSK's booth at 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE). [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]