German pharmaceutical company Merck is expanding its business in China, with an eye on the development of precision medicine powered by artificial intelligence (AI) technology, according to a senior leader of the multinational drugmaker.
In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) on the sidelines of the China Development Forum 2025 in Beijing, Marc Horn, the executive vice president of Merck Group and the president of Merck China, said that the company is accelerating the introduction of its global pipeline into China and deepening local partnerships in chronic disease management.
"We are developing diabetes, cardio, but also thyroids and oncology. So we are bringing a lot of new pipeline from oncology to China. But we are also developing here locally with partners. We have been developing in that space products here for China together," said Horn.
He highlighted the application of AI, saying that the emerging technology improves the efficiency of medical research and development, and helps create customized individual treatment.
"Beyond that, when you think about life science, and taking AI again, what is more important is that you do really precision medicine, so really customized medicine by person. You're really diagnosing now, with the help of AI, what is your problem, so that you really get a customized treatment. And in that space, for example, also to develop new solutions to your problem, you use AI, so we have programs, we call them AIDDISON, we call them SYNTHIA, where you can very quickly go through millions of potential molecules, and decide then with AI help which one would be the right pathway to go," Horn said.
He also noted that given China's demographic and medical needs, the company is using AI to lay the groundwork for a smarter, more adaptive business to support the Chinese healthcare system.
"The other area we see, where we can support, is really elderly care, right? You have in China, from a demographics point of view in 2035, 400 million people, what the government call 'the silver economy,' where we can also support, right? Each of them will need customized treatment, care at home, most likely. And think about combining that with robotics, humanoid robotics. So these are areas we're working on," said Horn.
Merck plans China expansion with eye on AI-powered precision medicine
A Chinese envoy on Tuesday called on the Syrian interim authorities to advance an inclusive transition process and take decisive measures to combat terrorism.
The Syrian interim authorities announced the launch of a one-month independent investigation following the indiscriminate killing of civilians in the coastal areas, "the inhumanity and brutality of which is outrageous," Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, said in remarks at a UN Security Council meeting, after the Secretary General's Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen briefed the Security Council on the latest political and humanitarian landscape in Syria.
Stressing that China is following the investigation progress, Fu called on the Syrian interim authorities to carry out their work in a "transparent and responsible" manner.
Nearly 1,500 people, including more than 1,000 civilians, have been killed in the widespread violence in western Syria's Latakia and Tartus provinces since March 6, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The UN Security Council condemned the mass killings of civilians and urged the government to "protect all Syrians without distinction".
Meanwhile, Fu said that China takes note of the recent measures to advance the political transition, calling for the authorities to "earnestly deliver on their commitments" and engage in broad dialogue and consultation with all sectors in the country to achieve genuine inclusiveness. He emphasized that the work of Special Envoy Pedersen should be respected and supported by all parties, the Office of the Special Envoy needs to strengthen its team on the ground, and the League of Arab States can play a greater role in the Syrian political process.
The ambassador also expressed concern about new terrorist threats in Syria, and underscored the need to preserve the bottom line of countering terrorism.
Following the change in the situation in Syria, foreign terrorist fighters in Idlib have moved across the country, posing an immediate threat to the Syrian people and regional and international peace, Fu said. "They have been involved in the mistreatment and killing of civilians in the coastal areas. This is yet another reminder of the need to remain highly vigilant against the terrorist forces in Syria."
He urged the interim authorities to fulfill their counter-terrorism obligations and to take decisive measures to combat all Security Council-listed terrorist organizations, including the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, also known as the Turkistan Islamic Party.
In addition to political and security concerns, Fu emphasized the importance of improving Syria's economy and livelihoods, which he described as a top priority for the interim authorities. He called on traditional donor countries to increase humanitarian assistance and urged actions to eliminate the negative impact of unilateral sanctions that have exacerbated the country's economic woes.
Reiterating that Syria's sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity should be respected, Fu condemned Israel's airstrikes against Syria and urged it to withdraw from Syrian territory as soon as possible.
"In conclusion, I wish to reiterate that the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of Syria should be respected. The Golan Heights is internationally recognized as occupied Syrian territory. The 1974 disengagement agreement should be complied with. China condemns the Israeli airstrikes against Syria. Israel should withdraw from Syrian territory without delay," said the Chinese envoy.
Chinese envoy calls on Syria to advance inclusive transition, combat terrorism
