Medtronic, a US-based global leader in medical technology, services and solutions, opens the Heart Valve China Manufacturing Site in Shanghai on March 27. [Photo/WeChat account: zjpark]

Medtronic, a US-based global leader in medical technology, services and solutions, opened a heart valve manufacturing base in Shanghai on March 27.

When operations begin, the base is expected to alleviate supply shortages of heart valve prosthesis in China and internationally, meeting the increasing needs of patients with heart valve diseases.

Currently, with the improvement of living conditions and the increase of aging population, patients suffering from heart-related diseases are on the rise. 

According to government statistics, there have been more than four million such patients among Chinese senior citizens aged above 60, leading to a shortage of heart valve prosthesis.

The US-based Medtronic, founded in 1949, is a global leader in medical technology, services and solutions. [Photo/WeChat account: zjpark]

Mike Coyle, vice executive president of Medtronic said that the company is looking to address the issue and expand.

"The launch of this manufacturing base in China forms an important part of Medtronic's global strategy to enhance its heart valve prosthesis production and supply capacity."

Initially, the base will produce key parts for the company's two main products, the Mosaic TM and Hancock⁃TMII, later introducing more.

Medtronic, founded in 1949, is a world leading medical technology company. It has expanded its presence in China since 1996, establishing its Greater China headquarters in Shanghai in 2011. Currently, it has two R&D centers, five manufacturing bases, and more than 5,000 employees in China.