Thirty and Thriving: Pioneering "Patient-First" Innovations

In the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry, every technological breakthrough heralds a revolution in treatment methods and a turning point in patients' lives. With the rise of innovative forces in the local pharmaceutical market, a new era full of opportunities and challenges is quietly unfolding.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of China Europe International Business School (CEIBS). To celebrate this milestone, we are honored to invite Apple Jiang, Patient Innovation Lead, Oncology at BeiGene, to discuss the critical career and life choices made at the pivotal age of thirty. Join us as our esteemed alumna shares about her journey from being a dedicated industry contributor to becoming a pioneering leader, guiding her team and driving innovation forward.

What do you think about "Thirty and Thriving"?

Unrestricted by Age

Daring to Cross Boundaries

At 31, I decided to pursue an MBA at CEIBS. Although I was slightly older than the average student, it never bothered me. Instead, I was excited about the unknown possibilities that lay ahead. After seven years in public relations, I had begun to feel limited in my role and was eager to transition into marketing. However, I recognized my lack of experience in both medicine and business, which motivated me to further my studies at CEIBS. I also saw this as a chance to step back from work, allowing me to reflect deeply and plan my future career.

I strongly believe that everyone has their own timeline. When the right moment arrives and our choices stem from a genuine inner calling, we should move forward confidently, without second-guessing our decisions. Over the years, my thirties have given me greater self-awareness and a more mature outlook on life. This has reinforced my belief that age shouldn't hold us back, but rather drive us to continually push our boundaries and explore new horizons.

What motivated you to join BeiGene after completing your MBA?

I chose to join BeiGene based on two main considerations. Firstly, I've long been developing my career in the healthcare sector, and pursuing an MBA wasn't about changing tracks, but rather about transitioning from the "icing on the cake" communications department to a role with greater business impact. During my studies, I continuously followed developments in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in oncology. My previous work experience was primarily with multinational companies, but as China's pharmaceutical innovation strength rapidly rises, coupled with the support of many seasoned professionals in the industry, I saw the potential and unique advantages of Chinese innovative pharmaceutical companies. Especially as the "special halo" of foreign pharmaceutical companies gradually fades, domestic innovative pharmaceutical companies are entering a golden era of development, with BeiGene standing out as a leader. After years of market trials and tribulations, BeiGene's strong capabilities have become evident. Therefore, upon graduation, I decided to step into this unique environment full of immense possibilities.

Secondly, I chose to join BeiGene because the position they offered aligns perfectly with my career goals. Patient Innovation, as part of the marketing function, not only addresses my lack of formal clinical medical background (I graduated from Fudan University's School of Journalism) but also allows me to fully leverage my previous work experience. More importantly, in this new role, I can put into practice the marketing theories I learned at CEIBS, helping the company explore business potential beyond traditional pharmaceutical models. Being able to directly serve the business while having the opportunity to take a leadership role in innovative projects maximizes my personal value. For me, this is an excellent mutual fit.

As the Patient Innovation Lead, Oncology at BeiGene, could you please specify the nature of your responsibilities?

If we put ourselves in the patients' shoes and imagine being in each stage of diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, we can deeply appreciate that throughout this long process, patients often need more social and corporate support to bridge knowledge gaps and fill service voids. This is where our value lies.

Throughout the entire treatment journey of cancer patients, we actively utilize diverse online and offline channels, delving into each treatment phase to gain insight into patients' real needs. At the same time, by leveraging our unique advantages, we identify areas where patients have urgent needs and where we have the capacity to make improvements. We then work together with non-profit organizations and ecosystem partners to create suitable solutions for them.

In the oncology field, it's difficult to measure patient innovation projects directly by sales output. These projects are more focused on addressing patients' challenges at specific stages of treatment, helping them make effective decisions, and smoothly advancing their diagnostic and treatment pathways, ultimately enabling them to live better, longer, and with more dignity. 

We believe that in this process, as an essential part of the treatment journey, we will also indirectly benefit. Of course, we conduct a series of project effectiveness evaluations to understand the impact of these measures on our business and use this information to formulate priority strategies.

For example, due to the complexity of cancer, many issues may only gradually emerge during patients' recovery process outside the hospital. If patients can't receive timely and effective help, it might affect their subsequent treatment. To address this, we've partnered with third parties to launch a series of projects, including doctor empowerment, patient education, peer support groups, and digital tools, to help them get through these difficult times.

From a business perspective, patients who participate in these projects tend to have longer treatment durations, which indirectly reflects an improvement in their physical condition and extended survival time. Additionally, we've received feedback from our partners about many patients' appreciation and gratitude, which makes me feel that what we're doing is truly valuable and something to be proud of.

How did you transition from being a "team contributor" to gradually becoming a "people manager"?

When I first joined the company, the entire Patient Innovation team consisted of only two people. My boss was a senior alumna from CEIBS, and our working styles were quite compatible. The colleagues who joined later also had similar educational backgrounds. As a result, our ways of thinking and understanding were highly aligned, leading to seamless collaboration. Even when differences of opinion arose, everyone maintained an open-minded attitude, discussing or experimenting together to reach more comprehensive or satisfactory conclusions.

So far, I've spent five years at BeiGene. The company's rapid growth has brought numerous opportunities for my career, including chances for promotion and team management. The differences in age, experience, and abilities among team members have required me to constantly reflect and experiment with more effective ways to guide their growth.

I vividly remember the leadership courses from my CEIBS MBA, where we discussed the origins of leadership - these left a deep impression on me. I feel that my leadership is primarily built on professional competence. I aim to make the team feel that we're moving in the right direction, inspiring them to find a sense of achievement in their work. This sense of achievement is the driving force that unites the team and propels us forward.

In the process of leading the team, I've experienced the responsibilities and challenges of being a leader. I'm very grateful to everyone who has fought alongside me, and I'm delighted to witness their growth and transformation.

What do you think are the future development trends in the field of patient innovation?

As patients and their families become increasingly educated, coupled with easier access to information via the internet, their ability to make informed decisions about treatment is growing. Moreover, the rapid development of AI technology will further empower patients' decision-making capabilities and may even reshape the influence dynamics of the entire ecosystem. How to effectively respond to this trend and fully leverage the opportunities it brings, to enhance patient satisfaction while increasing corporate value, will become an increasingly important topic. The key lies in breaking through traditional thinking, gaining insight into patients' needs, opening up new possibilities, and combining technology with humanistic care to jointly promote advancements in medical services.

In today's economic slowdown, many people may hesitate: Is it necessary to pause work and pursue an MBA full-time?

I believe that the current economic downturn actually presents an ideal opportunity to pursue an MBA. Rather than struggling with immediate concerns, why not take this chance to recharge yourself and explore life's poetry and distant horizons? Those considering an MBA are typically ambitious young people in their twenties or thirties, with high expectations and aspirations for the future. The world is changing so rapidly - if you're hesitant about committing to a full-time MBA now, how will you face the greater uncertainties and challenges in your career over the coming decades? 

Instead, why not take advantage of the lower opportunity costs right now to invest in your abilities, plan for the future, and set off towards higher goals from a new starting point?

My MBA experience at CEIBS not only broadened my horizons but also boosted my confidence in the workplace. The learning journey at CEIBS provided me with a solid business background and strategic thinking, making me more confident in business communications and decision-making. I particularly appreciate the Organizational Behavior course at CEIBS, which taught me how to better understand organizational operations and interpersonal relationships, greatly benefiting my leadership and team collaboration skills. Moreover, CEIBS offers more than just academic knowledge; it's also a platform for building connections and partnerships. Fortunately, I met my partner at CEIBS, and we also made many like-minded friends. These relationships are immense treasures in my life.

TED at CEIBS

Oversea Module at CEIBS

Greetings on CEIBS' 30th Anniversary

"The past is but a prologue; at thirty, we strive to create a new chapter of brilliance!"

How do you perceive "Thirty and Thriving"?

Feel free to share your thoughts!

The comment with the most likes will have a chance to win a beautiful CEIBS gift!

Want to learn more about MBA programmes? Click ‘Read more’ below