Mr. Alain Merieux, president of the Foundation Merieux, the time-honored bio-medicine group, talked with us about his company’s efforts toward helping the imbalance in health care access and medical costs in the poorer countries vs. the economically developed nations around the world. He speaks about the importance of open communications and sharing of medical research findings among countries, as well as knowledge of how to battle the diseases that still threaten large populations.

Not many people know that the brand and conglorate Virgin has over 200 companies in varied industries. In this interview, the founder and chairman of Virgin, Richard Branson, talked about his company’s fierce competition in China’s airline market (with new flights between Shanghai and London) and their co-operative plans to introduce the Virgin brand mobile phone services and music retail Virgin Megastores to China.

As a world leader in the healthcare industry, Bristol-Myers Squibb has secured its market share with strong R&D efforts and its extensive co-operative relationships in many countries. It has recently made an investment of $60 million in its China endeavor with a new manufacturing facility near Shanghai, after entering the China market about 20 years ago. We interviewed Peter Dolan, CEO of Bristol-Myers Squibb, about his company’s renewed development efforts and the market outlook in China. A new product will be launched in the near future for treating hepatitis-B, pending regulatory approval.

More and more international pharmaceutical companies are beginning joint ventures with China. A recent development is the establishment of new R&D centers in China. Today's interview is with Robert Essner, CEO of Wyeth Pharmaceutical Group. Wyeth is in the top 10 drug companies in the world and has done business in China since the 1980s, making milk powder (infant formula) and other non-prescription products. Prevnar is one new Wyeth prescription drug to be tried in China.So we will learn what Wyeth's plans are in the China market over the next few years.

An increasing number of international luxury brands are attracted to the growing market potential in China. Boutique stores are open everywhere in the larger cities. We interviewed Philippe Pascas, Chairman/CEO of LVMH watch & jewelry division, about how he sees the luxury goods group expanding in China. His division represents only 4% of LVMH annual revenues, but is growing at a 23% sales rate in 2006. Dior is one of their popular brands worldwide and is very hot in China.