News of SCOL.com (Reporters: Wang Yue, interns: Chen Minhong, Yang Kun) The recent years have witnessed fast growth of biomedicine in China, an industry with stronger momentum. Biomedicine enterprises have received ever more support and favorable policies from the government. Amid this, enterprises engaging in biomedicine and medical equipment are embracing opportunities to thrive. While engaging in the R&D of new drug technology and varieties, Chengdu Yatu Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (Yatu Biotechnology) has realized industrialization of its technical results and shaped a sound interaction mechanism between R&D and industrialization.

The reporter learned that Yatu Biotechnology has built seven laboratories, and led 51 technology programs and special projects at various levels, including 5 national projects. The company obtained 17 national invention patents and got 26 projects materialized, bringing economic and social benefits of over RMB 2 billion to transferee companies.


Quitting a secure job to start business and pursue biomedicine R&D

Zhu Hui, Chairman of Yatu Biotechnology, has received many titles thanks to his excellent research capability, such as Director of China Chemistry Industrial Association, Executive Director of Chinese Society for Microbiology, a senior member of Chinese Pharmaceutical Association, and a member of Antibiotic Professional Committee of Chinese Pharmaceutical Association. Over the 30 years, Zhu Hui has engaged in the research of new drugs, and R&D of major drug varieties, accumulating rich expertise and R&D experience.

In 2004, Zhu Hui quitted his secure job and founded Yatu Biotechnology. In 2011, he established the industrialization base of the company in Pengshan Economic Development Zone, Tianfu New District. "I want to devote myself to medicine R&D, and thus founded Yatu Biotechnology, seeking to do my due part for the biomedicine development in China."

Currently, Yatu Biotechnology mainly engages in the research of high-end generic drugs and innovative drugs. Among those, its high-end generic drug Caspofungin is estimated to obtain production approval in the near future, with a price one quarter lower than that of original drug. The research of innovative drugs is mainly about anti-infective drugs against bacterial and fungal infections, and drug-resistance bacteria. "Another is drugs for immune system, targeting at mutation caused by organ transplantation. Besides, we have obtained clinic approval for our anti-kidney cancer drugs."


Developing high-end generic drugs to push for achievement industrialization

"Now we are seeing an overall trend: a call that China should create its own innovative drugs. It is a good direction. However, we have to consider the benefits of high-end generic drugs." In the eyes of Zhu Hui, since China still faces a less desirable technical system for innovative drugs, and huge inputs and slow benefits of such drugs, high-end generic drugs can better serve people. "We should grow in both size and strength in terms of high-end generic drugs, and accumulate technical experience. Based on that, we should work to develop innovative drugs."

The research projects chosen by Yatu Biotechnology are all urgently needed drug varieties in the market. "R&D works are highly interesting and rewarding. Scientific discovery entails technological progress, and can only embody its value through practical results. Therefore, we should combine technology with products and industry." The reporter learned that in the earlier stage of Yatu Biotechnology, the company mainly offered technical services. Afterwards, guided by its founder, the company has geared onto a road of R&D and result industrialization.

"The core competitiveness of an enterprise lies in technological innovation, and we should lead the way with technology, rather than size." "To realize the materialization of technology products, technology, development, and project sale are not enough to support R&D. That's why I founded my industrialization factory in 2011, and now we have realized fruit industrialization." Besides breakthroughs in drug development, Yatu Biotechnology has established Sichuan Province International Technological Cooperation Base, and entered cooperation with relevant parties in Europe and America, aiming to boost the global operations of China's medicine industry.


Chengdu Hi-tech Zone spares no efforts for better development of biomedicine

In 2011, Yatu Biotechnology became one of the first enterprises settling down in Tianfu Life Science Park. "The Parks keeps offering all-round support to Yatu Biotechnology in recruitment and meeting hosting. Meanwhile, Chengdu Hi-tech Zone has rolled out many favorable policies to empower startups, and released talent policies to shape a sound development environment for enterprises."

Over the seven years, Yatu Biotechnology has maintained communication and cooperation with other medicine enterprises within the Park and drawn much nutrients and inspiration from the thriving Park. Over the years, on the back of traditional biomedicine landscape, Chengdu Hi-tech Zone has worked to build innovative medical services and AI medicine industry. With such a vision, Chengdu Hi-tech Zone is well-positioned to grow into an AI-powered medicine "Silicon Valley" in China. A host of local biomedicine enterprises are budding and thriving here based on the unique advantages of Chengdu Hi-tech Zone as they pursue innovative development. Ultimately, Zhu Hui also hopes to take roots here amid the booming of the industrial park, and enable Yatu Biotechnology to grow up and embrace the world.

(Pictures provided by Geneus Technology)

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