A*STAR-Suzhou Industrial Park Innovation Partnership Program Officially Launches
On January 14, 2022, the launch ceremony of the A*STAR–Suzhou Industrial Park Science and Technology Innovation Partnership Program was held in Suzhou Industrial Park. Shen Mi, Member of the Standing Committee of the Suzhou Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Party Working Committee of Suzhou Industrial Park; Ni Qian, Member of the Party Working Committee and Deputy Director of the Administrative Committee of Suzhou Industrial Park; and Cai Denghe, Consul-General of the Consulate-General of Singapore in Shanghai, were invited to attend the event. The guests visited the New Technology Exhibition Area, which showcased the technologies and products of member enterprises of the A*STAR Enterprise Cooperation Center. Ho Chee Sing, Executive Vice President (Research) of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, and Tan See Wei, Vice President (Enterprise) of A*STAR, participated remotely via online connection.
Chen Quancheng, Director of the New* Research Enterprise Cooperation Center, and Shen Mi, Member of the Standing Committee of the Suzhou Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Party Working Committee of Suzhou Industrial Park
Themed “Nurturing Excellence, Pioneering a New Future,” the launch ceremony focused on showcasing the remarkable achievements and sharing experiences from the first year of operation of the New* Research Enterprise Cooperation Center in supporting Singaporean tech enterprises’ innovation and entrepreneurship in Suzhou. It further initiated the exploration of new models for international innovation incubation, looking ahead to a new future for Singapore and Suzhou in technological innovation, cross-border scientific collaboration, and industrial development.
The event featured multiple segments, including opening remarks by leaders, showcases of member companies’ achievements, the presentation of appointment letters to startup mentors, and the launch ceremony of the Partner Program. It brought together prominent entrepreneurs from China and Singapore, leading international scholars, investors, and representatives of member enterprises of the China-Singapore Scientific Research Enterprise Cooperation Center to share their experiences in innovation and entrepreneurship.
Chen Shiwei, Vice President (Corporate Division) of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research Singapore, Delivers Online Address
Professor Tan See Wei, Vice President (Corporate) of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, welcomed the guests and delivered the opening address. Professor Tan first expressed his gratitude to the Suzhou Municipal People’s Government and the Administrative Committee of Suzhou Industrial Park for their strong support of the A*STAR-Suzhou Research Collaboration Centre. He noted that within one year, the Centre has achieved full operational status, successfully onboarding 22 Singaporean technology enterprises as partner companies through signed agreements.The A*STAR-Suzhou Research Collaboration Centre serves as a cornerstone for in-depth cooperation between Singapore and China in scientific and technological innovation. Currently, the Centre is collaborating with Enterprise Singapore, the Economic Development Board, the Administrative Committee of Suzhou Industrial Park, and China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park Development Group. Leveraging A*STAR’s innovation platforms, such as A*START Central and DxD Hub, the Centre encourages Chinese biopharmaceutical technology companies to pursue international expansion into Southeast Asia via Singapore. On the occasion of its first anniversary, A*STAR looks forward to engaging in broader and deeper collaborations with partners in Singapore and Suzhou, achieving further milestones, and jointly promoting technological innovation with Suzhou Industrial Park. By leveraging Suzhou’s rapid growth as a technology hub, the aim is to explore wider market opportunities between China and Southeast Asia.
Address by Shen Mi, Member of the Standing Committee of the Suzhou Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Party Working Committee of Suzhou Industrial Park
Shen Mi, Member of the Standing Committee of the Suzhou Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Party Working Committee of Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP), stated in his address that in recent years, guided by the national innovation-driven development strategy, SIP has actively seized major opportunities such as the globalization of technological innovation, continuously deepened international cooperation in science and technology innovation, introduced top-tier overseas innovation institutions, established overseas offshore innovation centers in innovation-intensive regions, and strived to enhance its capacity for allocating international innovation resources. China-Singapore cooperation is a distinctive feature and unique advantage of SIP, which stands as a successful model of friendly cooperation between China and Singapore. Cooperation in scientific and technological innovation is increasingly becoming a new highlight of China-Singapore collaboration. Looking ahead, SIP will diligently polish the “gold-standard brand” of China-Singapore cooperation, leverage the “dual engines” of openness and innovation, continuously deepen bilateral cooperation in scientific and technological innovation, and provide sustained momentum for accelerating the development of a first-class industrial new district, a first-class special open zone, a first-class innovation park, and a first-class central urban area.
Online Address by Mr. Chua Teng Hoe, Consul-General of the Republic of Singapore in Shanghai
In his address, Mr. Cai Denghe, Consul-General of the Republic of Singapore in Shanghai, expressed gratitude to Suzhou City and the Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) for their strong support of the Singapore-Suzhou Research and Enterprise Cooperation Center. The Center’s primary mission is to facilitate research translation and commercialization in SIP for Singaporean technology enterprises, particularly those in the biopharmaceutical sector. This underscores Singapore’s emphasis on fostering closer research and commercial collaboration with Suzhou. Looking ahead, with the launch of the Center’s Technology Innovation Partnership Program as a new starting point, it is expected to serve as a bridge connecting the technology and innovation communities of Southeast Asia and China, thereby further contributing to the technological and industrial transformation of Suzhou and Jiangsu Province.
Address by Chen Quancheng, Director of the New * Research Enterprise Cooperation Center
During the event, Chen Quancheng, Director of the Singapore-Suzhou Industrial Park Research Enterprise Cooperation Center, shared his experiences and insights on operating the center. Director Chen stated that for Singaporean technology enterprises, joining the center serves as a gateway to enter the Chinese market with Suzhou Industrial Park as their starting point. For the center itself, as the first overseas office of Singapore Research, its operation represents an entrepreneurial endeavor in China. On this entrepreneurial journey, the Singapore-Suzhou Industrial Park Research Enterprise Cooperation Center has stood together with its member enterprises through challenges, working side by side to help them establish a solid foothold and achieve robust growth in China.
New* Research & Enterprise Cooperation Center New Technology Exhibition Area
Through the joint efforts of both China and Singapore, the APC currently has a total of 22 member companies. Among them, 17 have received scientific research support funding from the Suzhou Industrial Park. Five member companies have been recognized as Leading Talent Enterprises in the Suzhou Industrial Park, one has been honored as a Major Leading Talent Enterprise in the Park, and one has been designated as a Gusu Leading Talent Enterprise in Suzhou City. To date, our member companies hold 94 granted intellectual property rights, with 18 pending approval; they have obtained one Class II medical device registration certificate and created 77 jobs.
Looking ahead to the future of the Innovation Partner Program under the China-Singapore Research Enterprise Collaboration Center, Director Chen stated: “Along the entrepreneurial journey of our member enterprises, the China-Singapore Research Enterprise Collaboration Center will spare no effort in enhancing its service standards. We aim not only to serve as an innovation partner for our members but also to provide more in-depth entrepreneurial guidance tailored to their specific needs. We will launch an Entrepreneurial Mentorship Program, attracting outstanding entrepreneurs, scholars, and investors from both China and abroad to serve as mentors for our member enterprises, thereby linking the talent ecosystems of China and Singapore. Meanwhile, the Center will strengthen exchanges with China’s technology community, enabling domestic tech companies to gain insights into Singapore’s research and development ecosystem through the Suzhou Industrial Park and the China-Singapore Research Enterprise Collaboration Center, and to leverage Singapore as a base for their international expansion.”
Dr. Chen Minhan, Founder, CEO, and Medical Director of Lusheng Biotechnology (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.
Subsequently, Dr. Chen Minhan, Founder, CEO, and Medical Director of Lusheng Biotechnology (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., a member enterprise of the New* Research Enterprise Cooperation Center, shared his insights on Lusheng’s establishment at the Center and its development in China, expressing gratitude for the support received since joining.
Li Xiaomin, Chairman and General Manager of Semicore Nanotechnology (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.
Li Xiaomin, Chairman and General Manager of VCNano (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., also shared the company’s successful entrepreneurial journey in Suzhou with the attendees on site.
With the support of the New* Research-Enterprise Collaboration Center, member companies have achieved outstanding results. During the strategic achievements showcase for enterprises stationed at the New* Research-Enterprise Collaboration Center, A*PC reviewed the fruitful outcomes of its collaboration strategy through a video presentation.
Lusheng Biotechnology (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. and Medpath Translational Medicine Research (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. Reach Collaboration Agreement on “Companion Diagnostics for Cancer Therapy” Project
Strategic Achievements Showcase of Center-Based Enterprises: Lusheng, Liulian, and Totem Biologics
Xineng New Energy Technology (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. Reaches Project Cooperation Agreement with Hubei Henglong Company on “Automatic Charging System for New Energy Vehicles”
Strategic Achievements Showcase of Center-Based Enterprises: Xineng, Lianxin Semiconductor, and Jinming Vision
Appointment Letters Issued to Startup Mentors of the New* Research Institute Enterprise Cooperation Center
During the event, the New* Research-Enterprise Cooperation Center officially launched its Startup Partner Program to provide greater guidance and support for member enterprises on their entrepreneurial journeys. The inaugural cohort invited ten outstanding entrepreneurs, scholars, and investors from various industries to serve as startup mentors for the center’s member companies. Chen Quancheng, Director of the New* Research-Enterprise Cooperation Center, and Pan Yu, Deputy Secretary of the Party Leadership Group of the Suzhou Industrial Park Science and Technology Innovation Committee, took the stage to present appointment certificates to the mentors in attendance. Moving forward, the New* Research-Enterprise Cooperation Center will continue to expand its mentor team, attracting more distinguished entrepreneurs, scholars, and investors from both China and abroad to serve as startup mentors for member enterprises, jointly building a talent ecosystem with Singaporean characteristics that connects China and Singapore.
Xin* Research - Suzhou Industrial Park Science and Technology Innovation Partnership Program Successfully Launched
Subsequently, with the launch ceremony attended by four distinguished guests—Shen Mi, Member of the Standing Committee of the Suzhou Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Party Working Committee of Suzhou Industrial Park; Ni Qian, Member of the Party Working Committee and Deputy Director of the Administrative Committee of Suzhou Industrial Park; Ye Bai’an, Director of the China Division (East China) at Enterprise Singapore; and Chen Quancheng, Director of the Singapore-China Research Collaboration Center—and witnessed by participants from both Singapore and China joining online and offline, the Singapore Research–Suzhou Industrial Park Science and Technology Innovation Partnership Program was officially launched. This marks the beginning of a new model for international innovation incubation by the Singapore-China Research Collaboration Center.
New* Scientific Research - Launch Ceremony of the Suzhou Industrial Park Science and Technology Innovation Partnership Program
A*PC’s future work will focus on two key directions: biomedicine and sustainable development. A*PC will concentrate on the commercialization of technologies in four industrial sectors, including biomedicine, automation, and advanced manufacturing. It will co-host high-quality forums with partners in specialized fields, organize roadshow events, and build an industrial ecosystem integrating industry, talent, and capital, centered on the China-Singapore Research Enterprise Cooperation Center. Meanwhile, it will strengthen exchanges between Singapore’s and China’s technology communities, enabling Chinese tech enterprises to understand Singapore’s research ecosystem through the window of Suzhou Industrial Park and the China-Singapore Research Enterprise Cooperation Center, and to pursue internationalization with Singapore as their base.
About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is Singapore’s leading public sector R&D agency. Through open innovation and collaborative partnerships with other government agencies and the private sector, we drive economic growth and benefit society. As a science and technology organization, we bridge the gap between academic knowledge and commercial implementation. A*STAR’s research contributes to Singapore’s economic growth and job creation. Furthermore, our work enhances social benefits in healthcare, urban living, and sustainability, thereby improving the quality of life for people in Singapore and abroad.
We play a pivotal role in cultivating scientific talent and leaders, supporting our numerous research institutes, as well as the broader R&D ecosystem and industry. A*STAR’s R&D activities span life sciences and physical sciences and engineering, with its research entities primarily located at Biopolis and Fusionopolis.
About the New* Research Enterprise Cooperation Center (New* Research Enterprise Cooperation Center)
The Singapore* Research Enterprise Collaboration Centre, located in the TusPark Innovation Park within the Suzhou Industrial Park, was officially announced as operational at the Singapore-Jiangsu Cooperation Council meeting in November 2020. As the first technology enterprise incubator established by an overseas government research institution within the Suzhou Industrial Park, it also marks Singapore* Research’s first overseas branch. The establishment of the Singapore* Research Enterprise Collaboration Centre reflects the consensus reached by the Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation between Singapore and China, and has received strong support from the Jiangsu Provincial Government, the Suzhou Municipal Government, and the Administrative Committee of the Suzhou Industrial Park, fully demonstrating the deepening of Singapore-China cooperation in the field of scientific research.
As the first overseas office established by Xin* Research, the Xin* Research Enterprise Cooperation Center (hereinafter referred to as the “Xin* Research Enterprise Cooperation Center”) is committed to building an innovation community with Singaporean characteristics, fostering closer synergistic development for partners from both Singapore and China. The Center strongly supports Singaporean technology companies in “going global,” leveraging the Suzhou Industrial Park as a foothold to enter the Chinese market and conduct local R&D, product commercialization, and market operations.
The New China-Singapore Enterprise Cooperation Center is focusing its efforts on three key areas of mutual interest to both countries, aiming to achieve shared development and synergistic progress. These three priority sectors are: life sciences, automation technologies for manufacturing and logistics, and nanotechnology.