Suzhou Institute of Innovative Pharmaceuticals Officially Inaugurated
Suzhou, September 29 — The Suzhou Institute of Innovative Pharmaceuticals was officially unveiled in the Jinji Lake Roadshow Center of Suzhou Industrial Park, marking a strategic move to bolster the city's biomedical industry by integrating government, academic, and corporate resources.
Jointly established by the Suzhou Municipal Government, Suzhou Industrial Park, and Soochow University, the institute aims to leverage the region's industrial strengths and academic excellence to tackle technical challenges and cultivate talent for the biomedical sector.
A Strategic Hub for Innovation
Speaking at the ceremony, Zhang Qiao, President of Soochow University, outlined the institute's mission. He emphasized its role in implementing national innovation-driven and Healthy China strategies by deepening the collaboration between government, industry, academia, research, and healthcare.
"The institute will operate on innovative principles: 'research revolving around industry,' 'talent following demand,' and 'achievements targeting the market,'" Zhang stated. The goal is to build an internationally influential hub for innovative drug research and development (R&D).
Zhan Qimin, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Director of the Soochow University School of Medicine Affairs Committee, hailed the establishment as a "milestone." He noted it would attract high-end talent, accelerate the clustering of the biomedical ecosystem, and enhance the city's core competitiveness.
Government Support and High Expectations
Wu Qingwen, Mayor of Suzhou, congratulated all parties on the institute's launch. He highlighted biomedical science as a leading industry that Suzhou has been dedicated to developing over the long term.
"We hope the institute will serve as an 'accelerator' for technological breakthroughs, an 'incubator' for top talent, and a 'connector' for translating achievements," Mayor Wu said. He pledged that Suzhou would continue to optimize policies and services to support the institute's growth.
Forging Industry-Academia Links
The event featured key appointments and partnerships to cement ties with the industry. Zhong Zhiyuan was appointed as the institute's Executive Dean.
Furthermore, the institute inaugurated joint "Enterprise Innovation Centers" with leading biopharmaceutical companies Innovent Biologics and Ascentage Pharma, signaling a new phase of collaborative innovation.
Future Focus and Collaborative Model
Looking ahead, the institute will pioneer a new industry-academia-research model described as "enterprises posing challenges, joint problem-solving, and government support." It will focus on cutting-edge fields like molecular targeted drugs, biologics, gene and cell therapy, and AI-driven drug discovery.
By collaborating closely with industry leaders, it aims to conduct organized research, optimize resource allocation, and simultaneously advance industrial projects and elite talent cultivation, providing sustained momentum for Suzhou's biomedical industry.
Attendees
The inauguration was attended by senior officials from provincial and municipal departments, including the Education Department, Drug Administration, Department of Industry and Information Technology, and Science and Technology Department. Leadership from Soochow University and representatives from numerous biopharmaceutical companies were also present.