China’s southwestern industrial base eyes breakthroughs on novel drugs
As country pushes for scientific and technological self-reliance, Chongqing will provide support for pharmaceutical research and development
Chongqing, a key economic hub in southwest China, has unveiled a plan to support the development of innovative drugs as the country steps up its push for scientific and technological self-reliance.
The plan’s headline goals include having one to three innovative drugs approved for market launch each year by 2027, building three innovative drug industry clusters to encourage joint research and development (R&D) and technology transfers, as well as providing support for innovative enterprises, research institutes and universities to lead in the clusters’ establishment.
“Focusing on breakthroughs in core technologies for innovative drugs and accelerating product development, we will continuously optimise the industrial innovation system,” the municipal government said in a 25-point plan released to the public on Thursday.
Chongqing, traditionally a manufacturing-driven industrial base, saw its first Class 1 innovative drug – an injectable treatment for psoriasis – receive market approval last year.
According to the National Medical Products Administration, a Class 1 innovative drug is one that contains new compounds with clear structures and pharmacological effects, has clinical value and has not been marketed anywhere in the world before.
With its foray into biotech research, Chongqing joins a growing list of Chinese economic hubs aligning themselves with major innovative industries.