BioZonn and Agilent Technologies Forge Strategic Partnership to Advance Clinical ICP-MS Solutions and Support Healthy China Initiative

Hangzhou, December 8, 2022—The “International Symposium on the Innovative Integration of Mass Spectrometry-Based Precision Diagnostic Technologies with Clinical Practice and the Strategic Partnership Signing Ceremony between Agilent Technologies and BIOZON” was grandly held. At the ceremony, Zhejiang BIOZON Medical Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “BIOZON”) announced that it had formally entered into a strategic partnership with Agilent Technologies (NYSE: A). The two parties will jointly provide advanced clinical testing and diagnostic solutions for the domestic market, committed to improving clinical testing practices, disease prevention, screening, and treatment. This initiative will promote the widespread application of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) technology in China’s clinical market, support the Healthy China initiative, and usher in a new chapter for the application of mass spectrometry technology in clinical trace element testing.

Xu Jicheng, Director of the Biopharmaceutical Industry Division of the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Economy and Information Technology; Han Bin, Deputy District Mayor of Xihu District, Hangzhou; Yu Enyan, Chairman of the Zhejiang Psychiatric Association; Qi Jianwei, Director of the Zhejiang Medical Equipment Quality Management Center; Yu Hua, Deputy Director of the High-Tech Development and Industrialization Division of the Hangzhou Municipal Science and Technology Bureau; Pan Xiangyu, Director of the Administrative Committee of Zijingang Science and Technology City, Xihu District, Hangzhou; Shao Jiansong, Deputy Director of the Health Commission of Xihu District, Hangzhou; Shen Qinhua, President of the Unicorn Alliance of Xihu District, Hangzhou; Chen Jie, Deputy Director of the Administrative Committee of Zijingang Science and Technology City, Xihu District, Hangzhou; Sun Meiqin, Deputy Director of the Administrative Committee of Zijingang Science and Technology City, Xihu District, Hangzhou; as well as relevant leaders from the Xihu District Science and Technology Bureau, the Xihu District Development and Reform Bureau (Economy and Information Technology), the Xihu District Commerce Bureau (District Financial Office), and various departments of the Administrative Committee of Zijingang Science and Technology City in Xihu District, Hangzhou, attended the meeting.

Xu Jicheng, Director of the Biomedical Industry Division at the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Economy and Information Technology, delivered a speech. Director Xu first extended his heartfelt congratulations on the strategic partnership between BIOZON and Agilent Technologies. He emphasized that Zhejiang Province attaches great importance to the development of the biomedical industry and is actively positioning it within its efforts to build globally advanced manufacturing capabilities. Affirming the strategic collaboration between Agilent Technologies and BIOZON, he expressed hope that biomedical companies represented by BIOZON would seize opportunities and leverage this momentum to provide more efficient and precise medical technologies for clinical practice, thereby benefiting humanity.

Xu Jicheng, Director of the Biomedical Division, Zhejiang Provincial Department of Economy and Information Technology

Han Bin, Deputy District Mayor of Xihu District, Hangzhou City, delivered a speech. He first extended congratulations on behalf of the Xihu District Government to BIOZON and Agilent Technologies for establishing a strategic partnership and holding this seminar. Deputy Mayor Han stated that the three years of the COVID-19 pandemic were an extremely challenging period, and the steady development of Xihu District has been inseparable from our collective efforts. As a strategic emerging industry in China, vigorous development of the biopharmaceutical sector serves as a crucial pillar for advancing the Healthy China initiative. The strong alliance between BIOZON, a leading domestic enterprise in the precision diagnostics industry, and Agilent Technologies, a global leader in the life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets, will undoubtedly accelerate product iteration within China’s biopharmaceutical industry. We look forward to their continuous enhancement of innovation capabilities and core competitiveness, aiming to become champions in their respective niche segments of the biotechnology industry.

Han Bin, Deputy District Mayor of Xihu District, Hangzhou City

Professor Yu Enyan, Chairman of the Zhejiang Provincial Psychiatric Association, delivered a speech, stating that precise diagnosis is the foundation of precision medicine. For instance, the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) requires the integration of precise detection methods to address clinical pain points. With the collaboration between BIOZON and Agilent Technologies, trace element mass spectrometry solutions are poised to bring about new transformations in the future. Precise diagnosis will drive precision medicine, contribute to the Healthy China initiative, and deliver long-term benefits to the public.

Yu Enyan, Chairman of the Zhejiang Provincial Psychiatric Association

Chen Liang, Global Vice President and General Manager of Greater China at Agilent Technologies, delivered remarks highlighting the strong growth momentum of clinical testing solutions on its inorganic mass spectrometry platform. As a leader in ICP-MS analytical technology, Agilent Technologies holds distinct advantages in providing reliable products and services to the clinical sector. Agilent looks forward to further collaboration with BIOZON, leveraging BIOZON’s product and platform strengths to promote the widespread application of ICP-MS technology in clinical settings.

Chen Liang, Global Vice President and General Manager of Greater China at Agilent Technologies

Gao Qiang, Founder and CEO of BIOZON, delivered a speech. Since its establishment in 2015, BIOZON has consistently adhered to the philosophy of continuous innovation for human health. The company has achieved comprehensive development across its full product portfolio, spanning early screening, disease diagnosis, and companion prognostics. Moreover, BIOZON has made sustained breakthroughs in critical areas such as raw material production, instrument automation, reagent development, and testing services. The vitality of BIOZON lies in product innovation; its corporate spirit is rooted in pragmatism and integrity. BIOZON remains committed to fulfilling its social responsibilities, forging ahead with determination and continued endeavor.

Gao Qiang, Founder and CEO of BIOZON

The conference also invited experts such as Shang Shiqiang, Director of the Clinical Laboratory Center at the Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine; Tao Zhihua, Director of the Department of Clinical Laboratory at the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine; Zhu Bo, Director of the Department of Clinical Laboratory at the Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine; Liang Zhaoxia, Director of the Second Obstetrics Department and the Obstetric Outpatient Clinic at the Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine; and Dong Guanping, Director of the Department of Endocrinology at the Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, to deliver lectures and participate in academic discussions.

Experts have expressed high recognition for the ICP 8000 Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer, jointly launched by BIOZON and Agilent Technologies. As a world-leading clinical mass spectrometer, the ICP 8000 has obtained Class II medical device registration certification. It effectively addresses clinical pain points in trace element testing, meets patient needs, and will help drive the innovative development of China’s medical technology sector.

At the conference, VCBeat, a healthcare industry media outlet, engaged in an in-depth dialogue with BIOZON and Agilent Technologies on the development trends of precision diagnostics in China and the prospects for their collaboration.

Chen Liang, Global Vice President and General Manager of Greater China at Agilent Technologies, stated, “In recent years, Agilent Technologies has been strategically positioning itself in the big health sector, continuously refining its layout through a series of acquisitions. Clinical mass spectrometry is a particularly prominent segment within the big health industry. Agilent offers a comprehensive product portfolio, including liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), spanning both research and clinical markets. Among these, Agilent has maintained an industry-leading position in ICP-MS, ranking first in market share both domestically and overseas. Looking ahead, we will continue to deepen our roots in China and collaborate closely with BIOZON to meet customers’ diverse testing needs, jointly building a clinical mass spectrometry ecosystem in China and contributing to the positive development of the big health industry.”

Chen Liang, Global Vice President of Agilent Technologies and General Manager of Greater China

Gao Qiang, Founder and CEO of BIOZON, stated: “BIOZON is an innovative biotechnology company focused on major diseases in the fields of maternal and child health, neuropsychiatry, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders. By integrating platform technologies such as mass spectrometry, molecular diagnostics, and immunodiagnostics with artificial intelligence and big data analytics, we provide precise diagnostic solutions for clinical practice. Adhering to a disease-centric approach and focusing on clinical diagnosis and treatment pathways, the company continuously develops new products for whole-disease management, covering early screening, precise diagnosis, companion diagnostics, and prognosis monitoring. By building four core platforms—core raw materials, hardware equipment, reagent products, and testing services—we have constructed a complete ecosystem for integrated clinical solutions. This strategic cooperation with Agilent Technologies is mutually beneficial. We hope to leverage Agilent’s platform to maximize BIOZON’s advantages and develop more products that address clinical pain points and better meet patient needs.”

Gao Qiang, Founder and CEO of BIOZON

As China’s in vitro diagnostics market enters the era of precision diagnostics, relying on a single technology or product is no longer sufficient to establish a competitive advantage or fully meet clinical needs.Continuously refining product portfolios based on clinical needs, covering multiple technologies, and establishing a platform-based layout represent a major trend in the in vitro diagnostics field.

A multi-technology platform strategy is the distinguishing feature of BIOZON. Adhering to a disease-centric approach and aligning with national policies such as DRGs/DIP, BIOZON focuses on maternal and child health, neuropsychiatry, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The company provides comprehensive whole-course management solutions spanning early screening, disease diagnosis, and prognostic monitoring. By achieving continuous breakthroughs in critical areas—including raw material production, instrument automation, reagent development, and testing services—and integrating multiple detection technologies, BIOZON underscores the pivotal role of precision diagnostics in precision medicine.

BIOZON has developed over 300 testing items covering maternal and child health, neuropsychiatry, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, oncology, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and other fields; nearly 70 in vitro diagnostic (IVD) kits; and five models of mass spectrometry pre-treatment platforms, immuno-mass spectrometry systems, and mass spectrometry hardware. Furthermore, BIOZON has established molecular and immunological platforms. The company’s immuno-mass spectrometry products, which integrate immunological and mass spectrometry technologies, leverage the automation advantages of immunoassays while harnessing the high specificity of mass spectrometry. BIOZON is also developing single-molecule protein detection technology. In terms of raw materials, BIOZON continues to invest heavily, achieving independent research, development, and production of antibodies and specialized molecular enzymatic reagents. Through its collaboration with Agilent Technologies, the company has further expanded its technological platform layout in the precision diagnostics market, contributing continuously to the Healthy China initiative.

In the future, the trends of domestic substitution and platform-based development in China’s in vitro diagnostics (IVD) market will continue. BIOZON will continue to expand its coverage, integrate diverse platform technologies, provide comprehensive clinical solutions, and deliver more thorough and convenient services to physicians and patients.

The ICP 8000 Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer, developed through the collaboration between BIOZON and Agilent Technologies, has obtained a Class II Medical Device Registration Certificate and is currently a leading clinical ICP-MS system in China. The ICP 8000 features high sensitivity, wide linear dynamic range, rapid analysis speed, low sample volume requirements, high throughput, and the ability to simultaneously detect multiple elements, establishing a consensus for its application in the field of clinical trace element testing. Currently, the clinical applications of the ICP 8000 in elemental analysis primarily include the detection of nutritional elements, trace elements, ultra-trace elements, toxic and harmful elements, and potentially toxic and harmful elements.

Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer ICP 8000

Although the ICP 8000 is currently primarily used for various elemental analyses, it holds significant untapped potential for clinical applications. Its immunoassay capabilities have been proven effective in detecting a wide range of biomolecules, including small molecules, proteins, nucleic acids, and single cells, while enabling simultaneous multi-component detection. This points to broad prospects for future clinical use.