An innovation science park of advanced technology will be developed in the Zhuhai National Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone (Tangjiawan) with cooperation from the Zhuhai Institute of Advanced Technology of the Chinese Academy of Science (ZIAT), and Shenzhen New World Group.

The contract for the park was signed at the opening ceremony of the 2nd China Conference on Precision Medicine in Zhuhai that was held from Nov 24 to 25.

The 1.3-billion-yuan ($185-million) project is expected to cover 150,000 sq m (37 acres), including buildings for scientific research and experiments, offices, and other support facilities. 

It is designed to be a global-leading transfer base for scientific outcomes and incubation base for biomedicine and medical instruments. The park is expected to incubate 100 high-tech companies after its operation, with an estimated production value of more than 1 billion yuan ($142 million).

Signing ceremony (Zhuhai Deputy Mayor Yan Wu is fourth from left in back row) [Photo courtesy jingzhun.org.cn]

The conference included sub-venues on the accurate diagnosis and treatment of tumors, innovation and transformation of precision diagnosis and treatment technology, achievements and transformation of precision medicine, as well as exhibitions for innovative achievements by young scholars and medical equipment.

About 500 representatives and experts from the local government, research institutes, universities, hospitals, investment organizations, and companies from China, the US, Britain, and Switzerland held in-depth discussions and exchanges on latest theoretical achievements and professional technologies in the field of precision medicine.

Academicians of Chinese Academy of Sciences Chen Runsheng, Zhao Guoping and Chen Kai delivered reports on big data, precision medicine and artificial intelligence, research fronts of tumor liquid biopsy, and innovative drugs.

In addition, ZIAT signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement with Precision Medicine Society of the National Association of Health Industry Enterprise Management (PMS-NAHIEM) to promote technological innovation in precision medicine, as well as talents cultivation to establish a complete industrial chain.

The event was hosted by PMS-NAHIEM and organized by ZIAT and Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration, precision medicine, sometimes known as "personalized medicine," is an innovative approach to tailoring disease prevention and treatment taking into account differences in genes, environments, and lifestyles. The goal of precision medicine is to target the right treatment to the right patients at the right time.