Zhongguancun Life Science Park celebrates 20 years of development success

Updated: Aug 19, 2020 chinadaily.com.cn Print

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Zhongguancun Life Science Park is the source of original innovation in China's biological field. After 20 years of development, it has become a sustainable innovation base.

Zhongguancun Life Science Park is a high-tech park focusing on R&D and innovation in life science, biotechnology and biomedicine. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A pilot in life science

In the 1990s, life science was booming worldwide and biotechnology became an important part of core competitiveness.

In July 1999, several Chinese scientists participated in the 'Human Genome Project,' which accelerated the development of life science and bioindustry in China. Just over one year later, on Nov 25, 2000, the Zhongguancun Life Science Park was launched.

20 years of development

Twenty years ago, China's biomedical industry accounted for a very small proportion of industrial output and GDP. In 2003, the output value of Beijing's biomedical industry was only 10.62 billion yuan ($1.54 billion), accounting for about 2 percent of GDP.

To accelerate development, the Park introduced three national-level projects: the Beijing Proteome Research Center, the National Institute of Biological Sciences (Beijing) and the National Engineering Research Center for Biochips.

In addition, a group of outstanding scientists returned to China, including Wang Xiaodong, Deng Xingwang, Wang Xiaodong, Shi Yigong and Rao Yi. He Fuchu, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, led the 'Human Liver Proteome Project' (HLPP), the first human tissue/organ proteome project.

The National Institute of Biological Sciences (Beijing) is a modern life science cross-research center integrating cross research, support services, international cooperation, advanced academic forums and postgraduate education. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The National Center for Protein Science (Beijing) focuses on proteome analysis, functional proteome research, bioinformatics, protein/antibody preparation, model animals and the creation of a biological resource library, among other areas. The center is also committed to the 'Chinese Human Proteome Project (CNHPP),' which was launched by the Ministry of Science and Technology. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Life Science Park Innovation and Entrepreneurship Service Center aims to provide comprehensive services for the enterprises in the Park, to promote the transformation of major scientific and technological achievements. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In April 2010, Berry Genomics was founded in the Park. It has developed one of the most popular NIPT (non-invasive DNA prenatal testing) products on the market and is a leader in the oncogene detection market.

In 2013, the output value of Beijing's biomedical industry reached 117.6 billion yuan, an increase of 77.6 billion yuan from 2009. And in 2018, the operating income of Beijing biomedical companies reached 186.76 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 14.3 percent.

Global-oriented innovation chain

In 2011, BeiGene was founded in the Park. It quickly developed two new targeted drugs – BGB-283 and BGB-290, and sold the overseas marketing rights of these two drugs to a German pharmaceutical company for 500 million US dollars. The BeiGene project became a milestone in domestic new drug research and development.

Contract research organizations Bioduro and Pharmaron have obtained a large number of orders, 90 percent of which come from European, American and Japanese pharmaceutical companies. Besides, they have continuously promoted 'me-too' and 'me-better' innovations in new drug research and development cooperation, accelerating China's transformation from a country of generic drugs to a country of innovative drugs.

BeiGene is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing molecularly targeted and immuno-oncology drug candidates for the treatment of cancer. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

As mentioned above, enterprises in the Park have participated in the international division of labor in multiple areas – such as research and development, clinical trials and product sales, thus integrating into the global innovation network.

Over the past 20 years, the Zhongguancun Life Science Park has not only made important contributions to the development of life science and bioindustry but also cultivated a large number of outstanding talents for the biomedical industry.