Thermo Fisher Scientific and JinSi Bio Forge Strategic Partnership to Co-Build Gene Therapy Base and Accelerate Industry Development

On May 15, Thermo Fisher Scientific (hereinafter referred to as “Thermo Fisher”), a global leader in scientific services, signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Shanghai Jinsi Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Jinsi Biotech”). Under this agreement, the two parties will collaborate in Zhangjiang Science City, Shanghai (Shanghai InternationalMedicinePark) to co-establish a joint gene therapy base, leveraging Thermo Fisher Scientific’s advantages in products, technologies, and integrated services in the field of cell and gene therapy, to jointly promote the industrialization and commercialization of gene therapy in China.

In recent years, with the continuous improvement in the safety and efficacy of viral vectors and the emergence of new technologies such as gene editing, interest in gene therapy has been steadily increasing. The launch of two CAR-T products in 2017 further propelled gene therapy into a new wave of global enthusiasm. However, despite rapid development, gene therapy still faces challenges in scaling up from small-scale laboratory research to large-scale industrial manufacturing.

Under this strategic partnership, Thermo Fisher Scientific will provide Jinsi Biologics with comprehensive technical and product support for the industrialization of viral vectors, spanning from laboratory-scale development to large-scale GMP manufacturing. Thermo Fisher will equip Jinsi Biologics’ GMP production facility with its integrated gene therapy solutions. By leveraging Thermo Fisher’s advanced technologies—including single-use bioreactors, cell culture platforms, and drug testing and analytical systems—as well as laboratory instruments and associated reagents and consumables, the company will comprehensively assist Jinsi Biologics in establishing a large-scale viral vector manufacturing and service platform in China that meets global standards. Furthermore, Thermo Fisher will deliver a suite of commercial solutions, such as operational system optimization, to help Jinsi Biologics build a lean operating framework. This collaboration aims to significantly enhance process efficiency and asset utilization across all departments, reduce procurement and inventory costs, and achieve optimized production capacity and material replenishment.

The two parties will also leverage the jointly established “Gene Therapy Joint Base” to streamline communication channels across the upstream and downstream segments of the industry chain, actively promote technical exchange and collaboration within the sector, jointly explore innovative manufacturing processes that comply with both Chinese and international regulations, further advance local R&D and innovation in gene therapy, and accelerate the industrialization and commercialization of gene therapy in China.

“Large-scale industrialized production helps emerging medical technologies like gene therapy truly benefit the general public,” said Mr. Tony Acciarito, President of Thermo Fisher Scientific China. “From research and development to manufacturing, Thermo Fisher Scientific is dedicated to every stage of gene therapy. Upholding our ‘Rooted in China, Serving China’ development strategy, we look forward to partnering with Jinsi Biotechnology to drive the commercialization of gene therapy in China through innovative technologies and integrated solutions, thereby contributing to the building of a ‘Healthy China.’”

Mr. Zhang Hua, Director of Public Affairs at Jinsi Biologics, stated, “We are honored to establish a strategic partnership with Thermo Fisher Scientific, as both parties share a common vision and strong desire for collaboration in the fields of gene therapy and cell therapy. Leveraging Jinsi Biologics’ extensive expertise in viral vector research and development and industrialization, together with Thermo Fisher Scientific’s integrated biopharmaceutical process solutions, media optimization capabilities, and biosafety analytical testing services, will enable us to jointly address various challenges in viral vector process development, shorten product development cycles, and accelerate the industrialization of gene therapy technologies in China.”