Medtronic Asia Pacific (APAC) - President of Medtronic Asia Pacific (APAC)
Chris Lee is Senior Vice President and President of Medtronic Asia Pacific (APAC). Chris joined Medtronic in 2012 as president of the Greater China region. Under his leadership, the region achieved five consecutive years of double-digit growth by bringing meaningful innovation and expanding access to more patients in China.
Chris has a strong track record of global leadership in the healthcare industry — both in pharmaceutical and medical technology. He is known for his inclusive leadership style, commitment to meritocracy, and proven business success. During his time in China, Chris developed strategic partnerships with the Chinese government and was a strong supporter of corporate social responsibility — leading the company’s effective relief efforts to respond to the Lushan earthquake in Sichuan Province.
Prior to Medtronic, Chris was Regional Head and Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific at Bayer HealthCare where he was responsible for overall operations in the region, including pharmaceuticals, consumer over the counter, animal health, and medical devices. Chris has also held roles of increasing responsibility in a number of multinational companies, including Bristol Myers Squibb and Merck Sharpe and Dohme, while based in Asia Pacific and the U.S., respectively.
Medtronic was founded in 1949 as a medical equipment repair shop by Earl Bakken and his brother-in-law, Palmer Hermundslie.
Did these two men set out to change medical technology and the lives of millions of people? No. But they did have a deep moral purpose and an inner drive to use their scientific knowledge and entrepreneurial skills to help others.
That spirit — combined with our founders’ personal integrity and passion — became our guiding philosophy and, ultimately, the Medtronic Mission.
Our first life-changing therapy — a wearable, battery-powered cardiac pacemaker — was the foundation for many more Medtronic therapies that use our electrical stimulation expertise to improve the lives of millions of people.
Over the years, we developed additional core technologies, including implantable mechanical devices, drug and biologic delivery devices, and powered and advanced energy surgical instruments. Today, our technologies are used to treat nearly 40 medical conditions.
As a global leader in medical technology, services and solutions, Medtronic improves the lives and health of millions of people each year.
Firm Profile
Asia Pacific is one of the fastest growing regions within Medtronic, and comprises Australia & New Zealand, North Asia (Japan and Korea), Indian Sub-Continent, Southeast Asia Country Cluster 1 (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam), and Southeast Asia Country Cluster 2 (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, and Thailand). Our business operations in this region includes two manufacturing operations, two innovation centers, two R&D centers, and 16 distribution centers.
Medtronic now employs nearly 10,000 people in Asia Pacific across more than 60 locations, including a regional headquarters in Singapore.
Across the region, we are committed to improving lives through our medical technologies, services, and solutions, and to delivering on our Mission to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life.