On April 23rd, according to media reports, Will Song, the President of Johnson & Johnson China and the President of Johnson & Johnson Medical China, has submitted his resignation to the company. He will continue to serve as the President of Johnson & Johnson China and the President of Johnson & Johnson Medical Technology China until the end of September, overseeing the company’s operations and daily management to ensure a smooth transition.
The reports state that Vishnu Kalra, the President of Johnson & Johnson Medical Technology Asia-Pacific, wrote in an internal memo: “Today, I want to announce to everyone that Will has submitted his resignation to the company after careful consideration, seeking external career opportunities.”
Public information shows that Will Song is the first Chinese-born President of Johnson & Johnson China in the company’s history spanning over 130 years. He was born in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, and graduated from Peking University. He obtained a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from the University of Massachusetts Medical School and holds an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
In 2003, Will Song joined Johnson & Johnson in the United States. In 2006, he returned to China and became the head of Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon division, focusing on surgery. In 2012, he started overseeing the Johnson & Johnson Medical China Large Surgery Group. In 2015, he was appointed as the President of Johnson & Johnson Medical China, and since 2018, he has served as the President of Johnson & Johnson China.
The reports indicate that under Will Song’s leadership, the Chinese business has become one of the most important strategic growth engines for Johnson & Johnson Medical Technology globally. Despite the rapidly changing and increasingly complex market landscape and unprecedented competitive environment over the past decade, the sales of Johnson & Johnson Medical Technology in the Chinese market have tripled.
Furthermore, during this year’s Two Sessions (annual meetings of the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference), Will Song commented on the Chinese government’s concept of “new productive forces,” stating, “In Johnson & Johnson’s global business layout, China is not only one of the fastest-growing markets but also a new strategic market for innovation. China fully leverages its leading role in innovation to drive industrial innovation through technological innovation, creating tremendous opportunities for medical and health enterprises like Johnson & Johnson to take the lead.”
An industry insider who was responsible for strategy at Johnson & Johnson China stated to the media that it is not easy for someone like Will Song to stay in a multinational company like Johnson & Johnson for 20 years. He is considered rare among the leaders of multinational companies in China, as most people cannot stay for such a long time. The industry will closely follow Will Song’s future direction, and his departure will also raise questions about any potential changes in Johnson & Johnson’s strategy in China.
