China is calling for closer ties among the bio-pharmaceutical industry, academic bodies and government departments so as to boost innovation in research and development.

In recent years, the Chinese government has pushed for the development of pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, and emphasized the need for creative R&D, especially to develop new drugs with intellectual property rights. Despite this, how to increase the efficiency and productivity for drug innovation in China has been a great concern for the industry, government and researchers.

"To establish an ecosystem that combines industry, education and research will be a way to help bring forth the innovation in the world," says Jiang Mianheng, president of ShanghaiTech University and president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai branch.