Chinese pharmaceutical firm Beijing Tong Ren Tang sets up presence in Geneva

The newest addition to Western Switzerland’s Health Valley is one of the oldest, largest and most prominent traditional Chinese medicine companies. With its natural and holistic approach, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is not only a treasure of the Chinese people, but has been internationally recognized as contributing to the health and well-being of individuals and […]

The newest addition to Western Switzerland’s Health Valley is one of the oldest, largest and most prominent traditional Chinese medicine companies.

With its natural and holistic approach, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is not only a treasure of the Chinese people, but has been internationally recognized as contributing to the health and well-being of individuals and to the comprehensiveness of healthcare systems. It is also backed by the World Health Organization (WHO), which supports national governments in developing and implementing policies aimed at integrating traditional medicine into modern healthcare.

And it is precisely in Geneva – the multicultural city home to WHO headquarters – that leading international Chinese medicine group Beijing Tong Ren Tang has decided to open its Swiss subsidiary. “Geneva is a strategic location and we look forward to establishing long-term relationships and collaborations with key partners in the region,” said Yongling Ding, General Manager of the company. The new Swiss base will allow Beijing Tong Ren Tang to promote TCM outside China, and is a welcome complementary addition to Western Switzerland’s Health Valley. The fast-growing life sciences cluster stretching from canton Valais to Geneva and as far north as Neuchâtel and Bern counts over 900 companies employing 25,000 highly skilled professionals.

Founded in 1669, Beijing Tong Ren Tang is one of the oldest and most iconic Chinese medicine firms. It was originally the only company designated to supply medicines to the royal pharmacy of the imperial court. Today, it has evolved into a modern international TCM group with three business units (pharmacy, retail and medicine services) and around 15,000 employees worldwide.

The establishment of Beijing Tong Ren Tang in Geneva was supported by the Greater Geneva Bern area (GGBa) and the Directorate for Economic Development, Research and Innovation (DG DERI) of the canton of Geneva. It reflects the growing interest of Chinese companies in the Swiss market, a direct consequence of the bilateral Free Trade Agreement that entered into force in 2014.