Biological Era: Who Are the New Pioneers? | 2022 Gaofeng Lake Future Scientists Program Launches

Conquering challenges and exploring the unknown have always been enduring themes in the advancement of medicine. Centered on this theme, China’s healthcare standards continue to rise. Meanwhile, concepts outlined in the Report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China—such as “advancing the Healthy China initiative” and “deepening reform of the healthcare system to promote coordinated development and governance of medical insurance, healthcare services, and pharmaceuticals”—have charted a clear course for the growth of China’s healthcare industry. At present, the healthcare sector has an unprecedented demand for talent. We welcome more innovative “pioneers” to join us in this endeavor, and we look forward to their ability to seize the pulse of the times, break new ground, and lead us toward a brighter and more promising future.

Since the elucidation of the DNA double helix structure in 1953, biotechnology has developed rapidly, withOrganoids, Organ-on-a-Chip, Brain-Computer Interface, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bionic Robots, Synthetic Biologyrepresented by cross-integration technologiesBiotechnology, consistently dominating the mainstream of annual technological breakthroughs. Young innovators, equipped with cutting-edge technologies and hybrid entrepreneurial capabilities, are truly transitioning from laboratories to the marketplace. Every move they make captures our attention, and each of their breakthroughs and bold advancements provides effective solutions to the key challenges, difficulties, and pain points in the current healthcare sector.And these “pioneers” are precisely what we need and have long been seeking.

In this context, regions need to formulate regional bioeconomy development strategies, adjust and optimize disciplinary layouts, support the research and development of core technologies, and establish and improve industrial support policies based on policy and R&D trends. These efforts aim to promote innovative development in China’s biotechnology sector and accelerate the cultivation of frontier and disruptive innovation capabilities. To drive the development of the biotech-oriented biomedical industry, Chongqing International Bio-City has, in recent years, actively attracted talent by building a robust ecosystem. Centered on the Chongqing International Institute of Immunology, it has created the Gaofeng Lake Innovation Ecosystem, fostering a full-chain innovation system that covers basic research, product development, pilot and small-scale trials, and achievement commercialization. This has established a favorable environment for talent-driven entrepreneurship and innovation. Furthermore, by hosting summits and forums with national influence, the city has built platforms for talent exchange, pooling wisdom and strength to propel industrial development.

November 30, 2022,The 3rd Chongqing International Life Sciences SummitAs scheduled. The conference will focus on cutting-edge biotechnologies, including organoids, organ-on-a-chip, AI-driven drug discovery, and gene/cell therapy. It brings together leading figures and innovative forces from the industry, such as academicians, experts, pioneering scientists, and seasoned investors.Share insights and explore the development trajectory and future trends of biotechnology, showcase Chongqing’s sci-tech innovation ecosystem advantages through omni-channel platforms, and discuss the future of biotech innovation at Gaofeng Lake.

On the occasion of the 3rd Chongqing International Life Sciences Summit,CPC Chongqing Banan District Committee, People's Government of Banan District, Chongqing MunicipalityUnder the guidance of,Chongqing International Bio-City Development & Investment Co., Ltd., VCBeat VB100, Eggshell Research InstituteJointly Initiated2022 Gaofeng Lake Future Scientists Program, targeting young scientists in China's biotechnology sector, fromResearch Innovation, Corporate Leadership, and Industry InfluenceA selection process based on three key indicators has been launched to identify young scientists who are diligently working behind the scenes in the field of biotechnology. Leveraging the resource platform of the “3rd Chongqing International Life Science Summit,” this initiative facilitates engagement between scientists and industry professionals, thereby accelerating the industrialization and commercialization of innovative achievements.

A. Young scientists in the field of biotechnology in China.

B. The primary research and development focus of the nominated scientist, as well as the core business and flagship products of their affiliated enterprise, must align with the definition of biotechnology. For the purposes of this selection, biotechnology includes but is not limited to: organoids, organ-on-a-chip, mRNA, gene editing, protein structure prediction, AI-driven drug discovery, synthetic biology, bioprinting, bioimaging, brain and neural sciences with novel therapies, and life science tools.

C. Candidates for the scientist position must be under 45 years of age.

D. Have achieved transformative and breakthrough innovations in their field of research, with a requirement to possess research achievements in the medical and health sector.

The 2022 Gaofeng Lake Future Scientists Program will invite top industry experts, scholars, and seasoned investors to form a review committee that will evaluate participating young scientists based on established scoring criteria.Research Innovation Capability, Corporate LeadershipandIndustry LeadershipCross-scoring was conducted across nine indicators spanning three dimensions, ultimately selecting ten recipients of the 2022 Gaofeng Lake Future Scientists Award.

The 2022 Gaofeng Lake Future Scientists Program will be announced through a combination of an online launch and an offline ceremony, showcasing the most innovative and dynamic scientific and technological achievements of the selected scientists across multiple dimensions, and highlighting the leadership and representativeness of the award-winning scientists in the field of biotechnology.

1. Third-party recommendations and self-nominations:

November 7, 2022 – November 21, 2022;

2. Information Review and First-Round Evaluation:

November 22, 2022 – November 23, 2022;

3. Cross-review by the Expert Review Panel:

November 24, 2022 – November 25, 2022;

4. Final Review and Approval, Award Notification:

2November 26, 2022 – November 30, 2022;

5. Release and Award Ceremony:

November 30, 2022 · On-site at the 3rd Chongqing International Life Sciences Summit.

1. Recommendations for Resources Across the Entire Community· Publication of selected articles to increase the visibility of featured scientists, with promotion across the VCBeat website, VB100 official WeChat account, and its media matrix; post-publication matchmaking services will be provided to connect them with industry players, investors, industrial parks, and research institutions.

2. Zero-Distance Interaction at the Award Ceremony· Selected scientists will be invited to attend the award ceremony, joining numerous distinguished peers on stage to explore the latest industry trends and future frontier technologies in the fields of life sciences and biotechnology alongside industry pioneers.

3. Opportunity to present at the conference· Selected scientists will have the opportunity to be invited to participate in roundtable discussions at summit forums, where they can share cutting-edge biotechnological achievements and insights with professional attendees, tailored to their specific areas of expertise.

4. Visit to Chongqing International Bio-City· Invited to visit BioCity for exchanges and dialogues, engaging with government representatives and senior investors to discuss the implementation and commercialization blue ocean of medical technology.

5. Acceleration and Empowerment of Implementation· For scientists interested in establishing their operations in the Chongqing International Bio-City, the Organizing Committee will prioritize facilitating introductions to relevant officials. Projects settling in the area will receive preferential support in terms of talent residency, equity investment, and industrial policies.

1.Online Registration

Scan the QR code or copy the link to fill out the registration form online.

https://vb100.mike-x.com/qH1uU

2.Registration Form Download

Download and complete the registration form, then submit it to the designated email address.

Download link: https://c1n.cn/8hP87 (Access code: 1130)

Submission email: wu.lx@vcbeat.net (Please name the file in the format “Scientist’s Name – Affiliated Institution”)

3.Declaration Consultation

VB100 Ms. Li 18428384021

VB100 Ms. Wu 15696132719

Chongqing International Bio-City is located in the eastern part of Chongqing’s main urban area, adjacent to the Guangyang Bay Intelligent Innovation Eco-City, and lies 20 kilometers from the city center as the crow flies. It is the only leading biomedical industrial park in the municipality that holds both “National Strategic Emerging Industry Cluster” and “National High-Tech Industrial Development Zone” designations—two prestigious national accolades—and serves as Chongqing’s sole key biomedical industrial hub. With a total planned area of approximately 64 square kilometers, it primarily builds a biomedical industry system centered on biological drugs, with coordinated development of chemical drugs, modern traditional Chinese medicine, and medical devices, supported by comprehensive platforms for R&D, pilot-scale testing, and technology transfer. To date, it has attracted more than 100 biomedical projects, with agreed-upon output value upon full production exceeding RMB 100 billion.

Development Positioning:Build an internationally influential biopharma hub in the Yangtze River Basin; establish a national-level biomedical industry cluster; and develop a biomedical industrial park with an output value of RMB 200 billion. Construct a globally renowned demonstration site for the transfer and commercialization of biotechnological achievements, a key national hub for outstanding talents in new medical sciences, a source of life science innovation with global influence, and a world-class highland for the agglomeration of the biomedical industry.

Industrial System:“1+3+N” Industrial System. Centered on biologics, with small-molecule drugs, modern traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and medical devices as distinctive sectors, we will establish comprehensive professional service platforms and public service platforms to build a domestically leading full industry chain for biologics.

Innovation System:Leveraging the Chongqing International Institute of Immunology as a cornerstone, we will establish a city around the institute, building it into a top-tier domestic platform for basic research and industrial translation with international influence. Based on this industry-academia-research platform, we will create a leading national innovation chain that encompasses all key elements—from basic research and applied research to product development and commercialization—thereby fostering a dual-strength paradigm in both innovation capability and industrialization capacity.

Urban Development:Adhering to a global perspective, international standards, high-level positioning, and Chongqing’s distinctive characteristics, and upholding the principles of people-centric development, innovation-driven growth, integration of industry and city, and regional coordination, we will construct an overall spatial structure of “One Core, One Axis, One Bay, One Belt, Two Areas, and Five Clusters.” Centered on the themes of “Biology, Life, and Ecology,” we aim to create an international, green, intelligent, and humanistic urban model, building the “Gorge River Life Bay”—a place where humanity and nature coexist in harmony, vitality abounds, and high-quality life thrives—thereby establishing Chongqing’s new functional landmark: the “Bio-City.”

Launched in 2015, the Future Healthcare 100 is China’s first ranking list focused on innovative healthcare companies that are not publicly listed. Introduced by VB100, VCBeat, and Eggshell Research Institute, it aims to identify Chinese innovators who truly represent the future of healthcare, uncover the core driving forces of China’s future healthcare industry, and promote innovation and transformation within the health and medical sector. In 2022, a separate Innovation Ranking for Publicly Listed Companies was added for the first time, expanding the ecosystem covered by the list to include listed enterprises. Over the past seven years, the Future Healthcare 100 ranking system has continued to enrich its framework, gradually evolving into a global innovation healthcare ecosystem ranking that serves companies, investment institutions, hospitals, and industrial parks.

After seven years of practice and exploration, the “Top 100 Future Healthcare Companies” series of rankings and awards has garnered strong support and recognition from numerous investment institutions and enterprises, and has been widely reported and reposted by renowned media outlets, organizations, and official social media accounts. The “Top 100 Future Healthcare Companies” selection process has become an authoritative and objective evaluation standard and system for China’s healthcare innovation industry. It is currently the annual assessment that attracts the most attention from both the industry and capital sectors in the life and health field, while the Top 100 Future Healthcare Awards ceremony has become a premier annual industry event.