Staff are doing testing

On F2, R&D building 3 in Tianfu Life Science Park, there is a public technology platform for biomedicine analysis and testing ("the public technology platform") with a total floor area of about 1,400 square meters. The public technology platform houses nuclear magnetic resonance laboratory, preparation and separation laboratory, integrated instrument laboratory, and other world-leading devices, valuing at over USD 35 million and covering all links in biomedicine R&D.

"The public technology platform does not belong to any enterprise. Built by Chengdu Hi-tech Zone, it is used by biomedicine enterprises in the testing of biomedicine and diagnostic reagent results." On March 15, in Tianfu Life Science Park, Liu Kai, the responsible person of the Public Platform Department of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Service Center of Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone, told the reporter that since the platform was put into use in 2011, it has offered non-stop technical services all year round to 444 biomedicine enterprises.

Comprehensive resource sharing
Testing results recognized by 54 countries

When the reporter followed working staff to enter the nuclear magnetic resonance laboratory of the platform, working staff in white coats were staring at instruments in operation. "They are helping enterprises in determining nuclear magnetic structure." According to Tang Gaojia, the Head of Quality of the platform, enterprises send samples that need technical support here, with which working staff of the platform will conduct experimental operation. Testing results will be available within two days.

Actually, for enterprises, the seemingly top-notch equipment procedures are very simple. They can get things done by sending samples to the platform and pay dozens of yuan as fees for instrument rent. "For example, the fee for hydrogen spectrum experiment is only 20-plus yuan, possibly the lowest in Chengdu." Despite the low rental, the instruments are all very expansive: a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer costs as much as over RMB 2 million, said Tang Gaojia. For budding biomedicine enterprises, if they purchase these instruments themselves, the inputs will be huge, and the utilization rate is low. The public technology platform can help enterprises reduce R&D costs, alleviate their burden, and offer quality, efficient services. It can boost new drug R&D of regional biomedicine enterprises and promote the development of the whole biomedicine industry.

Walking out of the nuclear magnetic resonance laboratory, Tang Gaojia pointed at the certificates on the wall and said, "According to the mutual recognition agreement we signed with China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS), our testing results are recognized by 54 countries and regions." Therefore, since the inception of the platform, besides biomedicine enterprises in Chengdu Hi-tech Zone and other parts of Chengdu, there are also biomedicine enterprises in the wider western China that always fly here to send samples for testing. "We often receive samples from Chongqing and Guiyang."

Platform-driven innovation
Reducing new drug development cycle of enterprises by 20%

"The platform offers almost all-year-round services, and many sample analysises are conducted in evening or on weekends." The platform has offered more than 100 thousand times of testing, consulting, and other technical services, said Tang Gaojia.

"Our company mainly engages in the R&D of innovative drugs. Today we come here for nuclear magnetic structure confirmation." According to He Biao, Head of the Synthesis Department of Chengdu Suncadia Medicine Co., Ltd., the platform has helped enterprises enormously in drug R&D. While Tang Gaojia was giving an introduction of the platform, some other enterprises sent samples for testing. According to data of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Service Center of Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone, since its founding, the platform has offered quality analysis and testing reports for a host of biomedicine enterprises, such as Chengdu Suncadia Medicine Co., Ltd., Chengdu Easton Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., Haisco Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd., Chengdu HitGen Inc., and Yatu Biotechnology, reducing new drug development cycle of enterprises by over 20%.

"We have analyzed and tested nearly 10 thousand samples for Chengdu HitGen Inc., analyzed over 200 projects, helping them reducing over 40% of testing costs." In the eyes of Liu Kai, the platform offers "zero cost" equipment rental services for biomedicine enterprises, helping them cutting costs and greatly enhancing the appeal of regional innovation and entrepreneurship. As for the targeted inputs of Chengdu Hi-tech Zone in developing bioindustry, it has worked to realize "additive effect" and even "multiplication effect" in resolving common problems in industrial development.

"This year, based on the platform, we will build a pharmacokinedos screening platform and expand microbiological testing laboratory." The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Service Center of Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone plans to build a similar public technology platform in Chengdu Tianfu International Biopolis, which will serve biomedicine enterprises and boost bioindustry development in Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone, said Liu Kai.

Reporter: He Wenwei Photographer: Zheng Yi