Synthetic Biology Industry Innovation and Development Forum Successfully Held in Beijing: Riding the Wave of Emerging Potential

On May 8, 2024, the Future Healthcare Ecosystem Expo · Synthetic Biology Industry Innovation and Development Forum was successfully held in Yizhuang, Beijing.This forum is guided by the Haihe Laboratory of Synthetic Biology,BIOINNJointVBEFCo-hosted by VCBeat. The forum featured discussions from four perspectives: technological frontiers, achievement transformation, industrial innovation, and capital insights.

The “Hesheng Future” segment brings together leading academics and outstanding young scholars, sharing new perspectives and achievements from the forefront of academic research. Tian Chaoguang, Deputy Director and Research Fellow at the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, explored the latest developments in synthetic biology technologies and biomanufacturing. Zhang Yan, Distinguished Professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, elucidated the radiating impact and enabling role of synthetic biology across multiple industries. Xu Qingyang, Research Fellow at Tianjin University of Science and Technology and Adjunct Research Fellow at the Haihe Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, presented an overview of the construction of orotic acid-engineered microbial strains and key technologies for their industrialization.

The “Hundred Flowers in Full Bloom” segment unfolded from the perspectives of investors and industry practitioners, offering substantial insights and compelling content. Liao Jieying, Managing Director at iCapital, focused on the biomanufacturing industry, analyzing emerging opportunities in 2024; Wang Ruiyan, R&D Director of Bioactive Ingredients & Synthetic Biology at Bloomage Biotechnology, addressed national requirements for developing new quality productive forces from the standpoint of biomanufacturing.

Li Haihang, Chief Technology Officer of Trautec Medical, shared breakthroughs and practical applications in the field of synthetic biomaterials, starting from an industrial perspective. He provided a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of the broad impact and future potential of synthetic biology. By elucidating the fundamental concepts of synthetic biology and presenting innovative cases such as starch synthesis pathways, he demonstrated how synthetic biology can significantly enhance production efficiency by simplifying biological processes. He further discussed the feasibility of biosynthetic vitamin C, highlighting the differences between biosynthesis and chemical synthesis in terms of cost and scalable production, while emphasizing the potential of biosynthesis to deliver unique value. Finally, he shared the company’s contributions to the field of synthetic biology, particularly its efforts in advancing the industrialization of recombinant humanized collagen, and affirmed that the company will continue to strive for industrial progress as an innovator in this field.

Sun Jun, Chairman of Zhonghe Gene, introduced the development and application of enzymatic DNA equipment; Wang Meijie, CEO of MetaNovas Biotech, showcased the development and research of efficacy-driven ingredients powered by advanced technologies such as AI and biological knowledge graphs; Hou Mingtao, Industry Researcher at the Haihe Laboratory of Synthetic Biology and Founder of Ustec, elaborated on the construction and implementation of smart laboratories for life sciences.

Winning Through Integration: The session invited Bai Yu, Deputy Director of the Haihe Laboratory of Synthetic Biology; Professor Yuchi Zhiguang from Tianjin University; Qian Song, CEO of Trautec Medical; and Wang Lei, Managing Partner at BGI Win-Win Fund. The experts shared their unique insights and perspectives on “New Quality Productive Forces and Synthetic Biology” from multiple angles spanning industry, academia, research, and investment, jointly exploring opportunities for collaboration and pathways for mutual development.

Leveraging this forum as an opportunity, the Haihe Laboratory of Synthetic Biology provides a high-end platform for exchange and collaboration among enterprises deeply engaged in the synthetic biology industry, project teams, experts and scholars, and investment institutions. It offers robust support and impetus for technological innovation in application fields and the coordinated development of the industrial chain in synthetic biology.