Facing a slow roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines, China is implementing more promotional measures and increasing the pressure on the public to get inoculated. Vaccine diplomacy efforts meanwhile are facing challenges.

Amid a rising tide of sentiment against foreign consumer brands in China, observers say the impact could be far-reaching. But other factors may be more important than public opinion, and innovation will remain a key to success for health sector players.

The Beijing/Boston-based bioventure shocked the industry with its recent announcement of the return of exclusive rights to an oncology assets in the greater China area to its US licensee, in an effort to focus squarely on rare diseases. CEO James Xue shares his views on this market in China in an exclusive interview with Scrip.