Contribution towards Basic Medical Science recognised for the first time at the Wu-Jan Awards.

Beijing, China, 27^th November 2014- Thirteen of China’s top pharmaceutical, medical and healthcare professionals were today honoured for their leadership and innovation at the 15^th Wu-Jieping- Paul Janssen Medical-Pharmaceutical Awards (Wu-Jan Awards). For the first time in the award’s 20 year history, Basic Medical Science was recognised, alongside Clinical Medicine,Pharmacy and Public Health.

Established in 1994, the Wu-Jan Awards were co-established by the International Health Exchange and Cooperation Centre of China National Health and Family Planning Commission (IHEEC) and Xian Janssen Pharmaceutical Ltd., one of China’s largest pharmaceutical joint-ventures. Over the past 20 years, 351 winners have been awarded for their contribution in the areas of medicine and public health.

At the awards ceremony, held at the Peking University Health Science Centre, Gao Weizhong, head of IHECC said “The Wu-Jan Awards are one of China’s most influential medical awards, and it continue to be a platform in driving forward China’s medical, pharmaceutical and health sectors. As our partner, Xian Janssen is an important contributor to our success. They have not only encouraged innovation among young medical practitioners, but also helped us create the basic medical science category for this year’s Wu-Jan Award.”

The introduction of the basic medical science category elevates innovation in medicine and public heath to another level, enhancing the prestige of the Wu-Jan Awards. Out of this year’s 13 winners, Ms Chen Chunming, member of the International Union of Nutritional Sciences was awarded for Special Contribution for her work in nutritional science, a field which she has been doing research for the past 30 years.

The other 12 winners were:

Clinical Medicine Category:

• Ji Linong, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Peking University People’s Hospital
• Ji Jiafu, Department of Oncological Surgery, Beijing Cancer Hospital
• Li Long, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Capital Institute of Pediatrics
• Cao Bin, Department of Infectious Diseases & Clinical Microbiology, Affiliated Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital of Capital Medical University
• Li Yexiong, Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy Medical Sciences College
• Wu Xiaoke, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine

Pharmacy Category:

• He Zhonggui, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University
• Li Bo, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control

Public Health Category:

• Shi Guoqing, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention
• Yao Hua, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Xinjiang Medical University

Basic Medical Science Category:

• Shi Yigong, Director of the School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University
• Shao Feng, National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing

After the award ceremony, Shi Yigong, one of this year’s winners, and Huang Jiefu, the ex-Minister of Health, shared their experiences with 400 students. It is hoped that by sharing their experiences, it will encourage students to pursue a career in medicine and public health. Officials from China National Health and Family Planning Commission and the media were also present at the awards.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Cesar Rodriguez, President of Xian Janssen Pharmaceutical Ltd. said “Our support over the past 20 years for the Wu-Jan Awards is an acknowledgement of our continuous commitment in China to driving pharmaceutical innovation and its growth forward, fulfilling patient’s demands in an ever changing environment, and nurturing local talents in the fields of medicine and public health.”