Last week, the Immuno-Oncology Summit, the global benchmark meeting in the field of tumor immunology, was held in Philadelphia, USA. On the scene of gathering experts from head organizations of academia and industry, He Wei, the founder of Zevi Bio, a company in the new area, took the stage as the representative of the industry to give a speech. Back in the beginning, the starting point of this "high light road" was Jiangsu Nanchuang Institute of Chemistry and Life and Health (hereinafter referred to as "Nanchuang Institute").
In recent years, there are many other "dark horse" companies that started from Nanchuang Research Institute and went to the forefront of each niche track, not only Zevi. Nowadays.This institute has incubated more than 30 companies in the new district, theA new path of "learning, researching, producing and utilizing" has also been extended forward.
From a new technology to a new business
Speaking of He Wei, Jiang Xiaozhong, chairman of Nanchuang Institute, was impressed.
This doctor from Peking University had been looking for opportunities in Shanghai and Hangzhou, and even borrowed a friend's lab to "play guerrilla". In the end, he came to the new area alone, and with the help of Nanchuang Research Institute, he set up a core team in half a year.
"Good projects are often most overlooked by everyone in the early stages, but we saw the tenacity in He Wei and appraised his new technology in a professional manner. We believe this project will grow one day." Jiang Xiaozhong said. Today, with Zevi Bio, He Wei has completed a ten million dollar financing in just one year and is gradually setting his sights on the world.
From a new technology to a new enterprise, such stories happen from time to time in Nanchuang Research Institute. As a new research and development organization formed by the tripartite team of academician Guo Zijian of Nanjing University, Yakushi Science and Technology, and Biomedical Valley of the New District, since its establishment in 2019, the"Promoting the integration of science and technology innovation and industry" is written on the front page of the Institute's objectives, and the incubation and cultivation of innovative enterprise clusters is the Institute's primary task.
Since it is the cradle of "incubation" projects, the first thing is to tap the excellent "source". In this regard, Nanchuang Institute has its own unique path.
According to Jiang Xiaozhong.Inside Nanjing University.The Nantron Institute also has a"Good Brothers" - Nanjing University Institute of Chemical and Biomedical Innovation.This research institute, also led by academician Guo Zijian, has gathered nearly70thYoung scientists around the world, sprinting together at the forefront of the world's top science and technology. Every day, a large number of papers and patents are being produced here.
"All these innovative resources are our potential targets for industrial transformation. Starting from a patent or a paper until a company or a product, we are doing a 'closed loop' work." Jiang Xiaozhong said. Sometimes, although the scientific and technological achievements on campus are very forward-looking, professors are not good at how to "open a company" and "do transformation".
To this end, the Institute invites "technical advisors" from enterprises, clinics, and investors to work together to accurately screen projects. After identifying the projects, Nanchuang Research Institute will also provide them withProvide venue, team building, investment and financingWe are fully committed to promoting the incubation and growth of enterprises in the new district.
"Alumni Economy," "Friends and Schools Economy," "Platform Ecology"
A company landed on the ground, and the Nanchuang Research Institute team had more thinking to do. "The initial operational idea of the institute was'Alumni economy', focusing only on programs at SDSU; later expanding to'Friendly School Economy', started reaching out to good programs at sister colleges like BYU and Eastern. But we think this perspective will still be a bit narrow." In Jiang Xiaozhong's opinion, to truly bridge the gap between science and technology innovation and industrial innovation, it is also necessary to establish a professional"Platform Ecology"--Not confined to university laboratories, but broadening the horizon and connecting resources from all sides.
For example, Ainodi Bio, an incubatee of Nanchuang Research Institute, focuses on in vitro diagnostics, and its founding team is not discovered within the university, but professional talents from listed companies.
In addition to coordinating venues and promoting financing for them, the Institute also takes the initiative to introduce partners and resources from the perspective of technological reserves and product development. Nowadays.The startup has become one of the most complete suppliers of diagnostic antigens in the country.
Turning to the roster of enterprises incubated and nurtured by the Institute, talents from all walks of life meet here.--Dr. Cheng Yuhao from Nanda University led his team to overcome the technology of fluorocarbon compounds, and developed "artificial blood" which is not restricted by blood type and will not be cross-infected; Dr. Chen Nan, a postdoctoral fellow from Rockefeller University, returned to China to start up his own business with the technology of chemical proteomics and small molecule drug research and development. Chen Nan, a postdoctoral fellow from Rockefeller University, returned to China with his expertise in chemical proteomics and small molecule drug discovery, and completed three rounds of financing; Mao Wen, a doctor from Peking University, founded the first nitric oxide therapeutic instrument, and Norling Bio, which has completed C+ round of financing, started here .......
In a variety of resource matchmaking and program exploration, the Southern Innovation Institute hasIt's linked.More than 10 universities and institutes, more than 20 listed companies, more than 30 investment funds, from the original incubation only.It has gradually grown into an innovation platform integrating R&D, service, incubation and production functions.
It is worth noting thatCurrently the Nantong Institute is still exploring self(c) The "blood-creation" pathway.For example, it has set up technology platforms such as flow reaction and biosynthesis within the institute, and sells technology services to the outside world. "Only when we grow 'stronger' ourselves will we have the energy to incubate more technology companies." Jiang Xiaozhong said he looks forward to seeing more enterprises running forward as a result.
"Incubate 8-10 technology-based companies every year, endeavoring to cultivate a number of gazelles and unicorns." This is what Jiang Xiaozhong expects for the future at the end of the interview.
He told us that at present, the Institute's carriers are "fully loaded" and there are stillA new 6,000-square-meter incubation carrier is being built at an accelerated pace in the Biomedical Valley.It will provide space for more cutting-edge projects to be incubated, high-end talents to gather, and innovative achievements to be transformed.
