The 2024 China BioMed Innovation and Investment Conference (CBIIC) was successfully held in Guangzhou from November 30 to December 1. To further promote cooperation and exchange between domestic and foreign pharmaceutical industries, the China Pharmaceutical Innovation and Research Development Association (PhIRDA) jointly organized an International Projects Roadshow on the afternoon of November 30, in collaboration with the UK Department for Business and Trade, the Invest in Denmark, and the Innovation Centre Denmark. The Roadshow showcased seven high-quality innovative projects from countries and regions such as the UK, Denmark, and Australia, covering cutting-edge fields including stem cell therapy, gene therapy, immunotherapy, innovative treatments, drug development, clinical research, and strategic international collaboration. It attracted widespread attention from numerous investment institutions and pharmaceutical R&D organizations.

The Session I was moderated by Ma Ning, Senior Trade and Investment Officer, British Embassy Beijing

 Dr. Vicky Zhang, Head of Pharma, British Embassy Beijing, delivered the keynote presentation, “UK-Springboard for Global Growth,” offering an in-depth analysis of the UK’s unique advantages in life sciences and opportunities for international cooperation. She highlighted the UK’s global leadership in vaccines, biologics, small-molecule drugs, and precision medicine. Dr. Zhang particularly emphasized the research and industry cluster advantages of the “Golden Triangle” region centered around London, Cambridge, and Oxford. She also mentioned the industrial specialties of Manchester in diagnostics and early intervention, and Liverpool’s large vaccine base, demonstrating the diversity and attractiveness of the UK’s life sciences sector. Additionally, Dr. Zhang called on Chinese companies to leverage the UK’s well-established innovation ecosystem, competitive tax policies, and global market network to deepen Sino-UK cooperation and jointly advance innovation and sustainable development in the life sciences sector.

The Session II was moderated by Margaret Yin , Senior Investment Manager, Invest in Denmark

  Assar Qureshi , Director Asia, Invest in Denmark, delivered a speech emphasizing the long-standing friendship between China and Denmark, with the two countries set to celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations. He pointed out that cooperation between China and Denmark in life sciences not only benefits both countries but also contributes to improving global health. As an innovation partner, Denmark is ready to provide comprehensive support to Chinese companies through its ecosystem designed for innovation and success. He concluded by inviting more Chinese companies to explore Denmark for innovation and international cooperation, in a shared effort to build a healthier and more sustainable future.

 Dr. Rasmus Beedholm-Ebsen, Senior Advisor, Life Science, Invest in Denmark, delivered a keynote speech titled “Danish Life Science in a Glance”, in which he provided an in-depth introduction to Denmark’s biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. He emphasized Denmark’s unique advantages in life sciences, particularly in diabetes research and biotechnology. Dr. Beedholm-Ebsen highlighted Denmark’s well-regulated research environment, abundant biological samples and data resources, and efficient workforce, which have attracted numerous industries and companies. The Danish government places a high priority on the life sciences sector and has launched a range of strategic initiatives and supportive policies. He also mentioned that Denmark excels in interdisciplinary collaboration and encourages foreign enterprises and partners to participate, collectively advancing innovation and development in the life sciences field. He expressed a strong desire for enhanced collaboration with China to drive innovation and progress in this domain.

Guo Yubo, Head of Life Science and Health, Innovation Centre Denmark Shanghai delivered a keynote speech titled “How the Innovation Centre Denmark Accelerates Sino-Danish Life Science Collaboration,” in which he detailed the functions of the Danish Innovation Center and its achievements in life sciences collaboration. He focused on notable accomplishments in knowledge cooperation, talent development and exchange, entrepreneurial support, corporate and public innovation, and the bridging of science and innovation. By establishing innovation centers worldwide, Denmark has successfully expanded its domestic innovation ecosystem to other countries. Currently, Denmark operates seven innovation centers globally, aimed at connecting Denmark’s innovation resources with those of other regions while bringing in high-quality local resources. In China, Denmark’s cooperation focuses on green transformation, sustainable development, and life sciences and health. Through a series of exchanges and innovative projects, Denmark hopes to deepen life sciences cooperation with China and jointly drive innovation and development. 

Project Highlights

Project 1: Pluripotent Stem Cell Derived Islet Therapy for Diabetes

Essentia Biosciences is a company dedicated to innovative diabetes treatments, focusing on differentiating islet cells using stem cell technology and addressing the rejection issues in islet transplantation. Currently, over 100 million people globally suffer from diabetes, with Type 1 and advanced Type 2 diabetes patients relying on insulin treatment. However, existing treatments can only stabilize blood sugar and cannot cure diabetes. Essentia Biosciences has addressed the transplant rejection issue by differentiating islet cells from stem cells and encapsulating the cells using 3D printing technology. This technology has completed research and animal testing, with production costs under 100,000 CNY, and the company plans to advance to clinical applications. The company is also engaged in gene editing and immune tolerance research to enhance the effectiveness and safety of treatment. Essentia Biosciences’s innovative approach, particularly in large-scale islet cell production and transplant rejection, holds significant market potential and could disrupt current diabetes treatments in the future.

Presenter: Tony Liu, CEO, Beijing Essentia Biosciences Limited

Project 2: In Vivo Gene Therapy for Cancer

Santo Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on in vivo gene therapy for cancer, founded by a team with strong international backgrounds. The core team members hail from top institutions such as Oxford University, Cambridge University, and the University of Edinburgh, as well as well-known companies like AstraZeneca and Oxford Biomedica. Santo Therapeutics is the first company globally to establish an animal model for Type 2 neurofibromatosis and develop PDX xenograft models. The company has also mastered a serum-free, single-cell stable transfection process that significantly reduces the production costs of gene therapy, laying the foundation for commercialization. Currently, the company has several innovative oncology product pipelines, including ST002 for Type 2 neurofibromatosis, malignant glioma, and other cancer indications. Their 5G lentivirus vector platform precisely targets and provides long-term stable expression, overcoming the shortcomings of traditional gene therapies. The company has completed its angel round financing and plans to raise Series A funds to accelerate clinical research. In the future, Santo Therapeutics will leverage the UK’s R&D advantages and China’s rich clinical resources to push forward clinical registration in the UK, US, and China, aiming for global application of its gene therapy drugs.

Presenter: Zhou Lu , CEO of Santo Therapeutics Ltd

Project 3: EP0031-A Next Generation Selective RET Inhibitor: A Chinese-Western Development

Ellipse Pharma is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing next-generation cancer therapies, with a unique business model. The company is advancing a strong product pipeline, focusing on targeted treatments for cancer patients. Its lead drug, EP31, is a selective inhibitor targeting RET mutation-driven cancers and is currently undergoing Phase II clinical trials for lung cancer and thyroid cancer. EP62 is a selective hydrogen receptor modulator, currently in Phase I clinical trials for breast cancer. Ellipse Pharma’s business model enables it to develop multiple drug candidates simultaneously, supported by a global network of over 320 cancer experts. This network helps the company identify unmet clinical needs and design precise clinical trials. EP31 has shown a high response rate in lung cancer patients who have undergone multiple treatments. The company also has an extensive collaboration network, accelerating global drug development and commercialization, with a focus on expanding into markets like China. Ellipse Pharma is committed to bringing innovative cancer treatments to patients in need through fast drug development.

Presenter: Tobias Arkenau, Global Head of Drug Development and Chief Medical Officer, Ellipses Pharma

Project 4: Development of Antisense Oligonucleotide Drugs for mRNA Activation

The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology confirmed the critical role of microRNA regulation in disease progression as a key area for therapeutic research. Globally, drug development related to microRNA is advancing rapidly. In October 2024, a US company, CAMP4, which is focused on upregulating proteins via microRNA, announced its listing on the Nasdaq after entering the clinical stage. Few domestic companies are involved in microRNA-related drug development, and even fewer specialize in upregulating protein expression. MJJ Biotech, a company that has introduced pioneering technology from Denmark, is one of the few domestic firms capable of independently developing microRNA-related drugs. It won the Excellence Award at the 2024 National Disruptive Innovation Technology Competition and is the only winner in the small nucleic acid drug category. The company holds independent intellectual property rights, and all patent inventors are full-time employees, including the Chief Scientist, Dr. Thorleif Moller, who has been introduced to Guangdong Province under the Pearl River Talent Program.

Presenter: Jasmine Zhai, CEO China, MJJ Biotech

Project 5: Partnership with Novo Nordisk

Novo Nordisk, established in 1923, is a global leader in biopharmaceuticals, headquartered in Denmark. The company’s mission is to drive change to defeat diabetes, along with other chronic diseases such as obesity, rare blood disorders, and endocrine disorders. Novo Nordisk’s goal is to lead scientific breakthroughs, expand drug accessibility, and work toward the prevention and eventual cure of diseases. The company operates in 80 countries and employs approximately 64,000 people, providing products and services to around 170 countries and regions worldwide. Novo Nordisk has a history of over 100 years of external collaboration, having formed more than 100 global partnerships and signed 27 agreements last year. The company emphasizes collaboration quality and is actively seeking innovative drug mechanisms, focusing on chronic disease management. In China, Novo Nordisk has a 27-year history with a research and development center responsible for new drug target discovery and validation, collaborating with universities and research institutions to promote open innovation platforms and support startup companies with funding.

Presenter: Jenny Yang, Head of External Innovation Asia Pacific, Novo Nordisk

Project 6: Argenica Therapeutics and the Clinical Development of Novel Neuroprotection Peptide Drug

Argenica Therapeutics is an Australian publicly listed company focused on the development of neuroprotective drugs, particularly for brain cell injury treatments. The company is currently developing a class of peptide drugs primarily aimed at treating stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and other neurological diseases. Its core product, Arch Double A7, is a neuroprotective peptide with multiple mechanisms of action. After more than ten years of research, it has demonstrated safety in healthy volunteers during Phase I clinical trials. The main advantage of the drug is its ability to significantly reduce brain damage after a stroke, without exacerbating bleeding risks when used in conjunction with thrombolytic drugs. Arch Double A7 is currently undergoing Phase II clinical trials, focusing on its efficacy in acute stroke patients, particularly in China, through close collaboration with local neurologists. The company also plans to conduct global Phase III clinical trials in the US and Europe. With the growing global neuroprotection drug market, Argenica is actively seeking global partners to advance the development and commercialization of its innovative drug.

Presenter: Liz Dallimore, Managing Director and CEO, Argenica Therapeutics Limited

Project 7: The Long-awaited Breakthrough in the Field of Immunotherapy

Virogen (HongKong) Biopharmaceutical Ltd. focuses on immunotherapy, with a particular emphasis on breakthroughs in cancer treatment, immune diseases, and organ transplantation. The company’s core product, VG712, is the world’s only immune toxin capable of safely and rapidly eliminating T-cells in the human body. This drug is designed to restart immune system function and restore anti-tumor capabilities. VG712 was invented by Professor David Neville from the NIH in the United States and has achieved remarkable results in clinical trials, including significant tumor regression in patients with advanced cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. VG712 works by eliminating exhausted T-cells and Treg cells, thereby overcoming the immune escape mechanism of tumors without triggering a cytokine storm, ensuring the safety of the treatment. In the future, VG712 is expected to be applied in areas such as organ transplantation, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and multi-drug-resistant HIV. The company anticipates that by 2028, VG712 will be launched in multiple fields, including oncology and immune tolerance, marking a key breakthrough in the field of cell-based immunotherapy.

Presenter: Chen Su , CEO, Virogen (HongKong) Biopharmaceutical Ltd.

The international roadshow project attracted widespread attention from the audience. After the event, several Chinese enterprises actively engaged with the targeted roadshow companies through the business negotiation platform provided by the conference or by contacting the organizers directly. The international roadshow focused on core global pharmaceutical innovations, providing an important opportunity for domestic and international enterprises to share cutting-edge technologies and discuss industry trends. It also created an efficient platform for cross-border cooperation and resource integration. By focusing on actual clinical needs and innovative R&D, the session injected new momentum into the connectivity between the pharmaceutical industries of China and abroad, laying a solid foundation for the global development and sustainable cooperation in the pharmaceutical field.