It's smiles all round at the launch ceremony for new research institute AIFMS Hefei. [Photo/WeChat account: hefeigaoxinfabu]

The launch ceremony for new research institute AIFMS Hefei and for the 2023 Hefei Functional Molecules Industry and Science Summit was held on Jan 10 in the Hefei high-tech zone, located in Hefei city, capital of East China's Anhui province.

AIFMS Hefei was built by Hefei city and a team led by academician Ma Shengming at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It's expected to perform various key functions for molecule research and commercialization – including design, R&D, pilot testing and incubation.

Ma Shengming, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and head of AIFMS Hefei, delivers a speech at the ceremony. [Photo/WeChat account: hefeigaoxinfabu]

"AIFMS Hefei started all the construction work in 2022. After a year of construction period, it has taken shape with the support of Hefei city and all industrial colleagues," said Ma, who is the head of AIFMS Hefei.

Ma added that efforts would be put into scientific and technological innovation and commercialization of achievements, as well as the introduction of high-quality projects. This would be to promote the development of the fine chemicals, biomedical and new materials industries in Hefei.

At the ceremony, four incubated enterprises signed incubation agreements with the institute. They cover fine chemicals, biotechnology, the digital economy and other key areas.

To date, the institute has incubated and introduced seven enterprises and two of them have obtained market-based financing.