Many CEOs of multinational companies have confirmed their attendance at the 6th China International Import Expo, the organizer announced during a promotional event for the annual expo's medical equipment and healthcare products zone on March 31.

Zhang Weimin, assistant to president of National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), made the remark as he spoke about the preparations for the 6th CIIE, which will take place from Nov 5 to 11 in Shanghai.

At present, companies have already booked more than 230,000 square meters of exhibition space, Zhang added.

The pharmaceuticals section, which is set to showcase innovative drugs, advanced technologies and services, has attracted the participation of leading pharmaceutical companies like Merck Sharp & Dohme, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi and Takeda Pharmaceuticals, said Zhang.

Gilead Sciences, which specializes in developing treatments for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and liver diseases such as hepatitis B and C, will participate in the CIIE for the second time this year, according to the company's global vice president Jin Fangqian.

Jin said that Gilead Sciences made its debut at the CIIE last year and has achieved good results in government-enterprise communication and brand promotion.

"The CIIE is not only a platform for the gathering of innovations, but also a grand event to jointly promote cooperation and development," Jin said. "We hope to further share our gains and progress in research and development and our long-term plan in China at this year's CIIE."

Daniel Brindle, the president of Novartis China, said that the CIIE has provided Novartis, which has participated in the CIIE since the inaugural edition, with an "excellent display platform" and built a bridge for communication with the government, experts, and patient groups, which paves the way for projects that have long-term strategic significance for its development in China.

The promotional event also served as this year's first annual meeting for the medicine special committee of the CIIE Enterprise Alliance, during which MSD was elected the new chair of the alliance.

The committee has served as a platform to strengthen cooperation as well as promote innovation and further development in the biopharmaceutical industry in China, according to Anna Van Acker, global senior vice president of MSD.

"MSD has actively responded to China's new development strategy and has readily participated in the CIIE by being the largest exhibition area in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector," said Van Acker. "MSD fully supports the Chinese government's efforts to promote high-level opening-up and high-quality development."

Zhang Guangzheng contributed to this story.