US pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Co said a vast patient population in China has yet to tackle medical issues such as diabetes, obesity and Alzheimer's disease, all of which align with the drugmaker's therapeutic areas, so it is sanguine on its growth prospects in China.

In the first quarter, Lilly's global sales revenue grew 26 percent year-on-year. China, a market with strategic priority, contributed to this growth with double-digit revenue expansion, supported by its product portfolio of diabetes, oncology and immunology therapeutics.

China has 140 million people who have been diagnosed with diabetes, according to the International Diabetes Federation.

The prevention and treatment of diabetes have been strengthened at the national level in China. By 2030, the awareness rate of diabetes among residents aged 18 and above is expected to reach 60 percent, and the standardized management rate of diabetic patients is expected to reach 70 percent, said the National Health Commission.

"We are confident in Lilly's growth potential in China, underpinned by a deep understanding of the local disease landscape and demographic shifts that align with our therapeutic strengths," said Ilya Yuffa, executive vice-president of Eli Lilly and Company and president of Lilly International.

China is becoming an increasingly aging society with a growing population of seniors. By the end of last year, people aged 60 and above reached 296.97 million, or 21.1 percent of the total population, said the National Bureau of Statistics.

In China, 10 million people have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, accounting for one-fourth of the global total. By 2050, the number of such patients is expected to grow to 40 million, according to a cross-sectional study published in Lancet Public Health.

Yuffa said the rapid aging of China's population indicates a rising demand for treatments in geriatric care and age-related ailments like Alzheimer's, metabolic diseases and cancer. This trend highlights significant unmet patient needs and growth opportunities for the company.

"We are collaborating with local partners to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease, and promoting the development of a comprehensive healthcare ecosystem," he said.

"Only with early diagnosis can we have the ability to treat in the most meaningful way and try to slow the progression of the disease. So, that's an area of importance not only for us, but we think also for the entire system addressing a population that has significant unmet need," he added.

In recent years, Lilly also announced some new initiatives and partnerships with AI-driven biopharma companies, and the industry has shown interest in its pioneering R&D initiatives.

Regarding research and development in China, Yuffa said the company is fully committed to the country as a key part of its global R&D strategy. Lilly has established cooperation with about 1,000 clinical trial centers in China, ensuring support for its research initiatives.

Investing heavily in R&D, the company has launched over 30 medicines and indications in China over the past six years. In addition, Lilly Asia Venture has invested in 147 companies across the nation, also including some AI-driven pharmaceutical companies.

The company said its innovative medicines that can help meet demand of different health priorities are consistent with the Healthy China 2030 initiative, which aims to improve the overall health and well-being of the population.