Danaher Delivers First Locally Developed and Manufactured Flow Cytometry Cell Sorter CytoFLEX SRT in China

Suzhou, March 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --March 11Danaher Corporation’s Beckman Coulter Life Sciences Officially Delivers Its New CytoFLEX SRT Flow Cytometer in Suzhou Industrial ParkIt is reported that the CytoFLEX SRT flow cytometer was developed locally in Suzhou for over three years, becoming the first flow cytometer successfully researched, developed, and manufactured in China, while simultaneously launching globally. This release not only demonstrates Danaher’s strategy of “Based in China, Serving China,” but also serves as another significant testament to its commitment of “In China, For the World.”

From left to right: Lai Dongmei, General Manager of Beckman Coulter Biotechnology (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.; Wu Yingguang, General Manager of Beckman Coulter Life Sciences China; Ding Lixin, Deputy Secretary of the Party Working Committee and Director of the Administrative Committee of Suzhou Industrial Park; Li Bing, President of Danaher Life Sciences Platform China; Ni Qian, Member of the Party Working Committee and Deputy Director of the Administrative Committee of Suzhou Industrial Park; Wei Chunyan, Vice President of Danaher China Government Affairs

Ding Lixin, Deputy Secretary of the Party Working Committee and Director of the Administrative Committee of Suzhou Industrial Park; Ni Qian, Member of the Party Working Committee and Deputy Director of the Administrative Committee of Suzhou Industrial Park; Li Bing, President of Danaher Life Sciences Platform, China; Wei Chunyan, Vice President of Government Affairs, Danaher China; Wu Yingguang, General Manager of Beckman Coulter Life Sciences, China; and Lai Dongmei, General Manager of Beckman Coulter Biotechnology (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., jointly attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for this product delivery. In addition, Greg Milosevich, Global President of Beckman Coulter Life Sciences, and Mario Koksch, Global General Manager and Vice President of Flow Cytometry Business at Beckman Coulter Life Sciences, delivered congratulatory remarks via live video link.

Flow cytometry is a modern analytical technique capable of characterizing large numbers of cells in a short period, providing researchers with highly specific information at the single-cell level. Since its emergence in the 1960s, this technology has been widely applied in life sciences research and clinical diagnostics, such as immunophenotypic diagnosis of leukemia and lymphoma, diagnosis of immune and cancer-related diseases, and monitoring of patients’ immune status. It is also an indispensable tool in research on disease mechanisms, vaccine and drug development, cell therapy, oncology, and microbiology. Through flow cytometry, researchers can classify and analyze cells based on their distinct characteristics, investigate the function and localization of individual cells within the immune system, elucidate the mechanisms of action and evaluate the efficacy of vaccines and drugs, thereby accelerating their development.

While performing cell analysis, flow cytometric cell sorters can simultaneously sort and recover cells with high purity and high speed based on specified parameter ranges, even enabling the precise isolation and collection of individual cells, thereby facilitating further life science and pharmaceutical research. Given their significance in the field of life science research, the development of high-performance flow cytometric cell sorters was included in 2020 in the “Key Special Project for the Development of Major National Scientific Instruments and Equipment,” a program jointly established by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Finance.

Integrated R&D and Manufacturing: Ushering in a New Era of “Intelligent” Chinese Manufacturing for Flow Cytometers

As the newest addition to the CytoFLEX platform, the newly released CytoFLEX SRT is the platform’s first cell sorter. Its compact footprint and scalability make it possible for laboratories with increasingly limited space to equip themselves with powerful cell sorting technology, bringing single-cell analysis capabilities to a broader range of labs. Despite its reduced size, its performance is impressive, offering configurations with up to 4 lasers and 17 detection channels. The included CytoExpert SRT software further lowers the barrier to use, enabling researchers to operate the instrument and conduct studies with minimal training. Flow cytometry sorting experiments, which previously demanded considerable expertise from users, are now within easy reach, helping researchers in China accelerate answers to questions in genomics and immunophenotyping research.

As one of Beckman Coulter Life Sciences’ R&D centers for flow cytometry, Beckman Coulter Biotechnology (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. has successfully delivered the research, development, and production of the CytoFLEX SRT on schedule, following the successful global launch of the CytoFLEX series of flow cytometers. Leveraging its robust R&D expertise and the application of the Danaher Business System (DBS), the center is now pursuing several patent applications for this product, including inventions, utility models, and software copyrights.

Ni Qian, a member of the Party Working Committee and Deputy Director of the Administrative Committee of Suzhou Industrial Park, stated at the launch ceremony, “It is a great pleasure to witness the first flow cytometer successfully developed and manufactured in China roll out from Suzhou Industrial Park. The Park will continue to leverage its platform role to help multinational corporations accelerate local R&D, innovation, and production, enhance the level of ‘intelligent manufacturing’ in China, implement national strategies, and work together to foster the development of strategic emerging industries.”

Ni Qian, Member of the Working Committee and Deputy Director of the Administrative Committee of Suzhou Industrial Park

Wu Yingguang, General Manager of Beckman Coulter Life Sciences (China), stated, “The development of modern medicine has shifted from traditional chemical drugs to antibody therapies with greater targeting precision and improved safety profiles. Next-generation medical technologies, exemplified by CAR-T cell therapy, directly modify and arm patients’ own immune cells, holding promise as the ultimate therapeutic approach for conquering complex diseases such as cancer. Flow cytometry and flow cell sorting instruments have undoubtedly become indispensable research tools in these endeavors.”

Deep Roots in China, Local Innovation Empowering Global Health

Danaher recognizes that only by deeply rooting itself in the local market can it better understand industry needs and develop the innovative technologies and products required for transformation and upgrading. Li Bing, President of Danaher’s Life Sciences Platform in China, stated, “Danaher is not merely bringing cutting-edge global technologies and products to China to support the transformation and upgrading of China’s life sciences industry; we are also determined to introduce new products and technologies developed and manufactured locally in China to the international market, fostering a virtuous cycle of mutual reinforcement on a global scale. Achieving this goal relies on building diverse partnerships across the entire ecosystem. ‘Sharing global science and technology to improve health for all’ has remained the unwavering vision of Danaher’s Life Sciences Platform since its establishment.”

Li Bing, President of Danaher Life Sciences Platform, China Region

Chunyan Wei, Vice President of Government Affairs at Danaher China, stated, “Danaher’s strategy for deepening its local presence is comprehensive. In addition to the local delivery of new products from Beckman Coulter Life Sciences, part of Danaher’s Life Sciences platform, last July Danaher invested over USD 100 million to establish a new R&D and manufacturing base for its Diagnostics platform, along with an integrated Customer Experience Center, in the Suzhou Industrial Park. Construction of this center is scheduled to officially commence in late March 2021. Looking ahead, Danaher will further deepen exchanges and cooperation with the park, keep pace with ‘China speed,’ and contribute to the development of the dual-circulation strategy.”