Zhuhai People's Hospital Medical Treatment Group has partnered with Imstem Biotechnology to further bridge basic science and clinical medicine by applying fundamental research findings toward new ways to diagnose and treat diseases.

A strategic cooperation agreement was signed May 9 to create platforms for international scientific innovations in biological science and technology and for services for cell quality testing. These will improve translational (lab-to-bedside-to-community-and-back) medical services, and augment Zhuhai's biomedicine industrial cluster in the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Renmin Hospital president Lu Ligong (seated at left) and chairman Men Zengxuan (seated at right), of Imstem Biotechnology, sign agreement in front of senior city officials [Photo courtesy WeChat account: zhtqb12345]

Imstem Biotechnology was founded in 2019 in Hengqin New Area to develop cell therapeutic products derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hESC or iPSC) for tissue repair and treatment of neural, heart, vascular, blood system, and autoimmune diseases. The city government selected Imstem in 2019 as a seeded unicorn enterprise (having market value of at least $1 billion before going public). Imstem's original new drugs with independent intellectual property rights became the first of their kind in the world to gain clinical approval from the US Food & Drug Administration earlier this year.

Zhuhai People's Hospital Medical Treatment Group has the oldest history and highest comprehensive diagnosis and treatment level in the city. In addition to the People's Hospital located in Wanzaisha of Old Xiangzhou, the urban medical consortium has branches in Doumen District, Hengqin, and the Gaolan, and Wanshan economic zones as well as citywide grassroot public health centers. It serves 90 percent of the city's population.

Zhuhai Party Secretary Guo Yonghang, Mayor Yao Yisheng, Secretary-General of the CPC Zhuhai Municipal Committee Wu Shi, and Vice Mayor Yan Wu attended the signing ceremony.