On March 18, the Medici Innovative Pharmaceutical Industry Ecological Cooperation Conference with the theme of "20 Years of Beauty, Creating the Future Together" was successfully held in Shanghai Zhangjiang Science Hall. After 20 years of hard work, Medici (688202) has taken empowering biomedical innovation research and development as its mission, grown side by side with China’s biomedical industry, and has developed into a leading one-stop biomedical pre-clinical R & D service platform in China.
At the conference, more than 500 industry leaders from various fields such as government, industry, academia, and finance gathered to participate in the grand event. Together, they reviewed Medisi’s outstanding history over the past 20 years, witnessed the launch of its globalization prelude, and the grand launch of two key technology service platforms. In addition, the conference also held a number of thematic dialogues around current hot topics. The guests brainstormed and discussed in depth the future development direction of the innovative drug industry ecology. They offered suggestions for the sustainable development of the industry, pointed out the way forward, and worked together to explore new opportunities for the cooperative development of Chinese pharmaceutical companies.
Twenty Years of Prosperity Starting from "New" with high hopes
First of all, Mr. Wu Qiang, member of the Standing Committee of the Shanghai Pudong New Area District Committee and deputy head of the district, delivered a warm opening speech, expressing his heartfelt congratulations on Medici’s brilliant achievements over the past 20 years. He deeply reviewed how Medici participated in and witnessed the rapid development of the biomedical industry in Pudong, established an academician innovation drug ripening center, was approved by large enterprises to open an innovation center, and made outstanding contributions to the construction of the new drug empower ecosystem, and eagerly looked forward to Medici’s ability to continue to expand the breadth and depth of the industry and promote the vigorous development of the biomedical industry more widely. Finally, Vice Mayor Wu Qiang said that Pudong New Area will unswervingly promote institutional reform, provide a broader development space and more powerful policy support for the biomedical industry, and call on entrepreneurs and investors to come to Pudong to join hands in creating a new future of technological innovation!
Song Ruilin, executive chairperson of the China Pharmaceutical Innovation Promotion Association, pointed out in his speech that in the context of the reshaping of the global economic structure and the increasingly complex geopolitical situation, China’s biomedical industry is standing at a critical crossroads, facing both unprecedented challenges and huge development opportunities. In recent years, with the successive introduction of a series of policy plans, China’s biomedical industry has ushered in an unprecedented spring breeze of development, while Medicis and others will usher in a more rapid development momentum and contribute more to the rise of the biomedical industry. Finally, President Song Ruilin confidently emphasized that 2024 will be a year of hope for the biomedical industry.
Chen Chunlin, founder and CEO of Medici, expressed his sincere gratitude to all the guests in his speech. He mentioned that Medici has been fortunate to witness the rise of China’s biomedical industry and has achieved outstanding results in scientific research innovation, industrial integration and business expansion. He stressed that the current biomedical industry is ushering in a new spring, full of unlimited opportunities. As an important part of new drug research and development, Medici shoulders the important task of promoting the implementation of source innovation and empowering the development of the industry. Dr. Chen said that Medici looks forward to working with more partners to jointly build an ecological empowering circle and promote the sustainable innovation and development of the biomedical industry.
Chen Kaixian, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, delivered a wonderful keynote report, entitled "Biomedical R & D Innovation and Industrial Development", which deeply analyzed the opportunities and challenges of biomedical innovation and development, and comprehensively sorted out the situation, progress and problems of biomedical development in our country. He elaborated on the four major development trends of global pharmaceutical innovation, and keenly pointed out the shortcomings and bottlenecks in the field of biomedical development in our country. At the same time, Academician Chen also shared the hot spots of scientific and technological innovation, especially the application of artificial intelligence in the field of new drug research and development, which brought dawn to the research and development of new drugs. Finally, we look forward to strengthening cooperation from all walks of life and contributing to Shanghai’s goal of building a source of biomedical technology innovation and a world-class biomedical industry cluster.
The prelude to globalization has begun, deeply empowering the transformation of innovation achievements
Next, the prelude to a new chapter of globalization was officially opened, and the Transformation Ceremony of Medici’s Biomedical Source Innovation Achievements opened. This landmark moment not only fully demonstrates Medici’s outstanding innovation achievements in the field of biomedicine, but also indicates that these achievements will be quickly transformed into strong actual productivity, injecting new vitality and momentum into global cooperation and development, and enabling the drug research and development industry chain to innovate at the source and extend globally!
At the ceremony, Pharma representative Zhang Lianshan, research institute representative Li Bin, CXO industry representative Chen Chunlin, Zeng Dewan, Rong Yiping, AI intelligent medicine representative Zhang Long, overseas Biotech representative Mr. Sam Waksal, domestic Biotech representative Cheng Changfu, Liu Binlei, investor representative Zhao Yongsheng came to the stage one after another to join hands to start the transformation of biomedical source innovation achievements. Medici will take this launch ceremony as an opportunity to further strengthen communication and cooperation with domestic and foreign partners, jointly explore new paths for the transformation of biomedical innovation achievements, and work together to promote the sustainable prosperity and development of the global biomedical industry, and jointly create a better future.
Next, Mr. Sam Waksal shared his views on the original innovation of the biopharmaceutical industry and the globalization of innovative drugs, saying that under the leadership of Dr. Chen, Medici has developed over the past two decades and has become a leader in the industry, and its achievements are remarkable. Although the biomedical industry is young, it has shown great potential and influence on a global scale, driving sustained economic growth. Today, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology fields are closely linked, and they are jointly committed to the research and development of innovative drugs. Medici has played a pivotal role in it, not only transcending national borders and politics, but also injecting new vitality into the global economy. Finally, we look forward to the future to continue to witness their greater contributions to human health and economic development.
Innovative drug going overseas strategy and successful case sharing
Innovative drugs continue to go overseas, how to seize the global market? Under the chairpersonship of Qiangjing, founder & chairperson of Xinnuowei and founding partner of Xingze Capital, Zhang Lianshan, deputy general manager and president of global R & D of Hengrui Pharmaceutical, Xue Tongtong, founder, chairperson and CEO of Yilian Bio, Peng Jianbiao, president of Jimin Trustworthy Small Molecular Innovation Research Institute, Pan Wensen, partner of the Hong Kong office of Gaowin International Law Firm, and Lin Qingcong, executive vice president and president of the US company of Medici, industry leaders gathered together to discuss the strategy and path of innovative drugs going overseas.
Zhang Lianshan, Xue Tongtong, and Peng Jianbiao shared their respective strategic plans and successful experiences in innovative drugs going overseas from the perspective of pharmaceutical companies. They elaborated on how to achieve global distribution of innovative drugs through precise positioning, technological innovation, and international cooperation, providing useful inspiration for pharmaceutical companies.
From the legal perspective, Penvenson deeply analyzed the legal challenges and coping strategies faced by innovative drugs going overseas. He emphasized the importance of compliance and provided practical legal advice to the participants.
As an investor and a representative of pharmaceutical companies, Qiangjing shared Xinnovi’s unique experience in innovative drug research and development and internationalization, and said that Xingze Capital has been paying attention to the research and development and industrialization of innovative drugs, providing funds and resources for potential enterprises and projects, and promoting the globalization process of China’s innovative drugs.
Lin Qingcong shared the rich experience and profound lessons of Medici in assisting pharmaceutical companies to enter the international market from the perspective of CRO. He emphasized that Medici’s one-stop biomedical pre-clinical R & D service platform can support the whole process of drug discovery from target discovery to IND declaration. In addition, the new drug empower ecosystem of the Academician Innovative Drug Ripeness Center can help new drug funding, transactions and other issues. At present, Medici has established a research and development base in Boston, which will further empower the drug to go overseas and achieve higher value.
Multi-site blockbuster unveiling Two key technology platforms released
At this grand ceremony, Medici’s two major science and technology platforms made a major appearance, attracting extensive attention from the participants.
1. Drug Discovery & Pharmaceutical Research Science Key Technology Platform
Jian Liu, President of Medici’s Drug Discovery and Pharmacy Research Division, introduced the Drug Discovery & Pharmacy Research Science Key Technology Platform. The platform includes a new drug platform for targeted protein degradation, a small nucleic acid drug development platform, an ADC drug development platform, a polypeptide macrocyclic peptide drug development platform, an AI drug development platform, a synthetic biology platform, a green chemistry platform, a drug metabolite platform, etc., to support the innovation of various drug forms. It is worth noting that Medici has a complete R & D platform for small molecule innovative drugs; an AI drug discovery platform empowers and accelerates new drug development from target discovery to the generation of preclinical compounds; a green chemistry platform and a synthetic biology platform enable the synthesis of various complex compounds.
2. Key technology platform for preclinical research science
Subsequently, Zhang Haizhou, president of Medici’s preclinical research division, elaborated on Medici’s key technology platform for preclinical research science. In terms of discovery biology, Medici has built in vitro screening platforms, such as PROTAC, small nucleic acids, ADC, etc., as well as cutting-edge technologies such as synthetic biology and nano-antibody discovery. In terms of pharmacological efficacy, there are advanced platforms such as in vivo imaging, small animal surgical excision, and in vitro imaging. In addition, Zhang Haizhou focused on introducing DMPK and safety service platforms for various advanced drug types such as PROTAC, oligonucleotide, ADC, mRNA, and cellular immunity, as well as pre-clinical service platforms such as inhalation medication, ophthalmic medication, and topical medication.
The release of the two key technology service platforms not only fully demonstrates the outstanding strength and profound heritage of Medici in the field of biomedical pre-clinical research and development, but also provides a solid and powerful support for its future customers to better empower.
Industry leaders gather together A new blueprint for biomedicine
Frontier technologies and industrial applications of drug discovery
How to promote the transformation of basic scientific research results in China? What are the future development trends? Ma Dawei, academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences and researcher of Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tao Weikang, vice president and general manager of global innovative drug research and development of Qilu Pharmaceutical Group, Liu Dongzhou, general manager of CSO/Innovative Drug Global R & D Center of East China Pharmaceutical, Shen Hong, head and senior vice president of Roche China Innovation Center, and Xu Yaochang, chairperson and CEO of Yuyu Pharmaceutical, shared their insights from their respective fields. Liu Jian, president of Medici Drug Discovery & Pharmaceutical Research Division, moderated this keynote dialogue.
Faced with the difficulty of transforming basic research, Ma Dawei shared in depth the course of cooperation with Academician Medisi’s Innovative Pharmaceutical Refinement Center, believing that this cooperation has achieved remarkable results in the transformation of scientific and technological achievements, bringing a mutually beneficial and win-win situation to both parties. At the same time, Shen Hong, head of Roche China Innovation Center and senior vice president, also introduced the Roche Accelerator, the world’s first self-established and operated accelerator project. The project fully integrates Roche’s own resources and advantages, and provides start-ups with all-round support including funding channels, cooperation opportunities, R & D experience, and advanced experimental equipment in an agile and flexible way to help start-ups grow rapidly and promote the development and industrialization of innovative drugs.
Tao Weikang, Liu Dongzhou, Shen Hong, Xu Yaochang and other pharmaceutical company leaders, based on the practical experience of their respective companies, discussed in depth how to accurately grasp their own advantages and differentiate the layout of innovative drug industry pipelines. They stressed that each company should formulate R & D strategies according to its core competitiveness. Facing the ever-changing technological challenges and changing future development trends, they said that pharmaceutical companies need to maintain keen insight and keep up with the pace of industry development. In sharing, they not only showcased the fruitful results achieved by their respective companies in the field of innovative drugs, but also provided valuable experience and inspiration for the future development of China’s innovative drug industry.
Transformation of new technologies for preclinical research of innovative drugs
Under the chairpersonship of Peng Shuangqing, Chief Scientific Officer of Medici, an in-depth discussion on the transformation of new technologies in preclinical research of innovative drugs was launched. The conference focused on breaking through the model barriers in preclinical research, technology development trends, market demand and future challenges, achievement transformation, and multi-party linkage.
Xu Zengjun, the former chief scientist of the Drug Evaluation Center of the State Food and Drug Administration and the founder of AstraZeneca Medicine, deeply analyzed the multiple challenges of preclinical research, such as the lack of understanding of the principle, mechanism and predictive correlation between models and diseases, as well as drug regulatory issues. Xia Mingde, founder/chairperson/CEO of Innolake Pharmaceutical, deeply analyzed the key role of translational medicine in crossing the "valley of death" in new drug development, and also pointed out the key role of translational medicine in crossing the "valley of death". Dr. Wang Yaning, former director of the clinical pharmacology department of the US FDA and CEO of Langlai Technology, pointed out that the FDA is cautious about preclinical data. Although AI technology is applied, there is insufficient data. It is necessary to optimize methods, strengthen translational research and data cooperation to improve R & D efficiency. Wang Haisheng, founder/chairperson/CEO of Sihe Genomics, emphasized the importance of AI in understanding the structure of genes and RNA, and mentioned the challenge of genetic differences between animal models and humans and the attempt of new organoid technologies. Yang Xiaobao, founder/chairperson/CEO of Bioscience, shared his research and development experience in the field of protein degradation, emphasized the importance of safety evaluation in preclinical research, and mentioned that with the help of Medici’s one-stop preclinical service platform, they successfully obtained clinical approval in China and the United States. Finally, he emphasized the enlightenment of tracking the layout of large companies such as MNC for Biotech.
Following the glorious past, we will move towards a glorious tomorrow. This 20th anniversary celebration of Medici is not only a feast for a full house, but also a brainstorming that concerns the development of the next 20 years. In the past two decades, Medici has not only witnessed the magnificent development history of the industry, but also acted as a vanguard force driving the continuous upgrading of the industry. In the future, Medici will adhere to innovation, deepen the field of biomedical pre-clinical research and development, lead technological innovation, enrich the matrix of R & D service platforms, layout the global market, ride the wind and waves, and move forward in the next two decades! (CIS)
Proofreading: Wang Jincheng