On Oct. 20th, 2011, Mr. Zhou Zhongqi, Vice President of CCPIT Patent and Trademark Law Office, accompanied Mr. Roy Waldron, Pfizer Senior Vice President and Chief Intellectual Property Counsel, and another three entourage members from Pfizer to pay an official call to Mr. Tian Lipu, Commissioner of State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) of China.

During the meeting, Mr. Waldron made an introduction of Pfizer’s investment, research and development (R&D) and other relevant issues in China. According to Mr. Waldron, at present, Pfizer employs over 9000 people in China, and sets up two R&D centers in Shanghai and Wuhan respectively. The total R&D investment of Pfizer in China has already exceeded 1 billion US dollars.

Mr. Waldron also expressed Pfizer’s full confidence in China’s Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) protection, and as a result, Pfizer is keeping on investing in R&D activities in China. Mr. Tian appreciated Pfizer’s actions and pointed out that China has already created a law and regulation system for IPR protection which is not only adapted to China’s domestic circumstances but also in conformity with the present international practice. This law and regulation system renders forceful protection for global enterprises’ development in China. In 2011, China’s government has issued the Outline of 12th Five-year Plan for National Economic and Social Development, in which a strategic adjustment in economic structure is an important goal for the country in the next five years, while the progress and innovation in science and technology are very important means to achieve this goal. The accomplishment of the National Intellectual Property Strategy plays an important role in both promoting the progress of science and technology and building an innovative country.

Mr. Waldron further stated Pfizer’s efforts in helping Chinese enterprises, especially the pharmaceutical manufacturers, in the aspect of IPO protection during their internationalization process, for example, by giving advices and information, and Pfizer is willing to continue this assistance. Mr. Tian showed respect to Pfizer’s efforts in this aspect. Meanwhile Mr. Tian emphasized that cooperation between enterprises is very important to the innovation and he hoped that Pfizer will launch more cooperation with Chinese companies in IPO protection.

Mr. Tian mentioned many times that SIPO will provide satisfying services to all patentees inclusive of Pfizer, Inc.

Mr. Tian especially indicated that since 1985, Pfizer has totally submitted 1237 patent applications in China, in which CCPIT played a very positive role.

Mr. Zeng Shijie, Pfizer China Legal Director, Mr. Hua Ye, Senior Patent Attorney and in charge of Intellectual Property Department of Pfizer China, and Mr. Zhang Jun, Senior Strategic Policy Manager of Public Affairs and Policies Department of Pfizer China, also joined the meeting.