(Yicai) July 16 -- Multinational healthcare companies, including US-Irish medical devices maker Medtronic and UK-Swedish drugs giant AstraZeneca, are taking part in the third China International Supply Chain Expo that kicked off in Beijing today.

Minneapolis‑based Medtronic, which is attending the expo for the first time, is showcasing a new coronary catheter developed by its Chinese research and development center in collaboration with local clinical experts. Localized production of the device, which is still undergoing registration, pending regulatory approval, is expected in the future, a company insider told Yicai.

The world’s biggest medical devices producer has steadily expanded its localization in China in recent years, it said, and now works with nearly 7,000 supply‑chain partners. In addition, Medtronic’s first digital health innovation hub in the country was completed in Beijing this March and is expected to be operational by the end of the year.

AstraZeneca and US medical devices behemoth GE Healthcare have also pitched tent at the CISCE for the third time this year.

In March, AstraZeneca announced that it would invest USD2.5 billion to build a new strategic R&D center in Beijing, its second in China and sixth globally. The London-based company also reached strategic partnerships last month with several Chinese biotechnology companies, including Harbour BioMed, Syneron Bio, and Kangtai Biological Products.

The CISCE is the world’s only national level expo dedicated to supply chains. This year’s five-day event showcases advanced concepts, products, and technologies in six key industrial sectors: advanced manufacturing, clean energy, smart vehicles, digital technology, health solutions, and green agriculture.

It has attracted 651 companies, institutions, and international organizations from 75 countries and regions, with overseas exhibitors accounting for 35 percent of the total, up from 32 percent last year, according to the expo’s organizer.

Editors: Dou Shicong, Futura Costaglione