From left: Weiping Han, Xinyi Su, Barry Halliwell, Li Jia, Zhang Jialiang, Ding Kan

The A*STAR Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), and Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery (ZIDD) successfully hosted a joint research symposium on August 15-16, 2024. The event, held at the ZIDD campus in Zhongshan, China, marked a significant milestone in fostering deeper collaboration between Singapore and China in the biomedical research and drug discovery sectors.

The symposium brought together prominent leaders and researchers, including A/Prof Xinyi Su, Executive Director of IMCB; Prof Barry Halliwell, Chairman of BMRC Advisory Council at A*STAR; Prof Li Jia, Director of the CAS Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica; and Prof Ding Kan, Executive Deputy Director of ZIDD. The event featured a series of keynote speeches, discussions, and the unveiling ceremony of the "Greater Bay Area International Research Center for New Drug Discovery."

Keynote Highlights
Prof Barry Halliwell opened the symposium with high praise for the rapid advancements at ZIDD, emphasizing the long-standing cooperative relationship between China and Singapore across multiple domains, particularly in biomedical research. He called for enhanced communication and exploration of new collaborative opportunities, leveraging the platform of this symposium.

Prof Li Jia, in his remarks, highlighted the robust and forward-looking partnership between China and Singapore. He reflected on the successful achievements of the collaboration among SIMM, IMCB, and ZIDD, expressing optimism for continued progress and expanded areas of cooperation, further deepening the strategic partnership between the two nations.

A/Prof Xinyi Su reinforced IMCB’s commitment to driving innovative research and emphasized the importance of these international collaborations in advancing scientific breakthroughs.

Unveiling of the Greater Bay Area International Research Center
A key highlight of the event was the joint unveiling of the "Greater Bay Area International Research Center for New Drug Discovery," where Prof Barry Halliwell, A/Prof Xinyi Su, Prof Weiping Han, Prof Li Jia, Dr. Zhang Jialiang, and Prof Ding Kan collectively marked a new chapter in biomedical collaboration. This center is set to be a hub for high-quality research and development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Scientific Presentations and Collaboration Discussions
The symposium featured cutting-edge presentations from IMCB scientists and their esteemed Chinese counterparts, covering crucial topics such as epigenetic regulation, GPCR signaling, multi-omics, and advanced therapies including cell and gene therapy. These discussions not only highlighted the critical role of these technologies in protecting human health and addressing major complex diseases but also reflected IMCB's active engagement in establishing a robust bilateral communication mechanism and exploring diverse cooperation models for future joint research initiatives.

Building Stronger International Partnerships
This joint symposium was a testament to the strong collaborative spirit between China and Singapore, further deepening international cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. Moving forward, IMCB is committed to partnering with more international stakeholders to strengthen cooperation in cutting-edge biomedical research, innovative target discovery, and drug development. These efforts aim to build a robust innovation ecosystem and inject sustainable momentum into the high-quality development of the biomedical industry.