Shanghai Society of Bioengineering Celebrates 30th Anniversary with Seminar on 'Biomanufacturing: Opportunities and Challenges from Tradition to New Quality Productive Forces'
On July 27, a seminar themed “Biomanufacturing: Opportunities and Challenges in the Transition from Traditional Practices to New-Quality Productive Forces,” hosted by the Committee on Bio-manufacturing and Intelligent Equipment of the Shanghai Society of Biotechnology and co-organized by Shanghai Mansen Biotechnology Co., Ltd., was held at the Dahuang Sci-Tech Innovation Center in Baoshan District, Shanghai. Attendees included Xu Jie, Deputy Mayor of Yanghang Town, Baoshan District, Shanghai; Dong Shupei, President of the Shanghai Synthetic Biology Industry Association; Professor Wei Dongzhi, Chairman of the Shanghai Society of Biotechnology and affiliated with East China University of Science and Technology; as well as several vice chairmen of the Society.
This symposium is one of a special series held to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Shanghai Society for Bioengineering. The conference invited numerous industry experts, scholars, and corporate representatives to gather and jointly explore how biomanufacturing technologies drive industrial development and achieve productivity innovation, as well as the opportunities and challenges that may arise in this process.
Prior to the meeting, Deputy Town Mayor Xu Jie, the President and Vice Presidents of the Society, held brief discussions with Chairman Dong Shupei on leveraging biotechnological innovation to drive high-throughput regional economic development, and on how new quality productive forces will bring about profound transformations in the quality, efficiency, and momentum of economic growth.
The meeting was presided over by Secretary-General Wang Yong. Dong Shupei, President of the Shanghai Synthetic Biology Industry Association, delivered an address. President Dong congratulated the successful convening of the meeting and expressed his hope to strengthen exchanges and cooperation between the Association and the Society for mutual benefit in future work. He emphasized their joint commitment to creating a better communication environment for academia and industry, providing high-quality services, and contributing to enhancing the overall competitiveness of Shanghai’s biomanufacturing industry.
Wang Yong, Research Fellow, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the Shanghai Society for Bioengineering
President Dong Shupei, Shanghai Synthetic Biology Industry Association
Professor Zhang Siliang, former Director of the National Engineering Research Center for Biotechnology at East China University of Science and Technology, delivered a report titled “Artificial Intelligence in Bioprocesses: Theories, Methods, Roadmaps, and Systems.” He systematically articulated the development of the bioengineering discipline, emphasizing that bioprocesses represent a multidisciplinary convergence driven by the close integration of information technology, artificial intelligence, and engineering sciences. With the advancement of AI technologies and innovations in bioprocess theories and methodologies, the intelligentization of bioprocesses is poised for rapid emergence.
Professor Zhang Siliang, Former Director of the National Engineering Research Center for Biotechnology at East China University of Science and Technology
Researcher Xiong Yan from the Life Science Information Center at the Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, delivered a report titled “Opportunities and Challenges in the Field of Biomanufacturing from the Perspective of Scientific and Technical Intelligence.” The presentation introduced the latest developments in biomanufacturing and analyzed the current opportunities and challenges facing the field.
Researcher Xiong Yan, Life Science Information Center, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Dr. Wei Dongbing, Chairman of Zhongboruikang (Shanghai) Biotechnology Co., Ltd., delivered a presentation titled “Closed, Automated GMP Cell Manufacturing System for Zero-Distance Cell Therapy.” Using practical case studies, he demonstrated how the company leverages large-scale cell culture capabilities, equipment, and consumables to serve the cell therapy and gene therapy industries, addressing critical technological bottlenecks currently facing the cell therapy sector.
Dr. Wei Dongbing, Chairman of Zhongboruikang (Shanghai) Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
During the roundtable discussion, participants analyzed the opportunities and challenges currently facing synthetic biology technology. There was a general consensus that, despite its enormous potential, synthetic biology still encounters significant hurdles to commercialization, including low technological maturity, high costs, and inefficiency. From the perspective of bioprocess engineering, the panelists examined the impact of multiple dimensions—such as talent, equipment, methodological frameworks, and public service platforms—on the industrialization process, and offered corresponding recommendations.
From left to right:
Dr. Hao Youyou, Director of the Special Committee on Bio-intelligent Manufacturing and Intelligent Equipment / Chairman of Shanghai Mansen Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
Dr. Wang Zejian, Assistant to the Dean of the School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology
Dr. Yi Dong, Director of the Center for Systems Biosynthesis Research at China National Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry
Dr. Wang Yong, Deputy Director of the Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences / Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the Shanghai Society for Bioengineering
Dr. Tian Xun, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Research Institute of Chuanning Biology
Mr. Zhu Lianming, Chairman of Shanghai Bailun Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
Dr. Fang Xin, Managing Director at Titan Capital and Lead Writer of the Financial Self-Media “Dr. Fang”
Conclusion: With the increasing emphasis and support from the national government on biomanufacturing, the field is expected to witness greater development opportunities in the coming years. As a pioneering hub for synthetic biology, Shanghai will continue to explore and implement innovative practices, contributing to the growth of the biomanufacturing industry across China and globally.
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