How Leading Medical Institution-Backed Parks Empower Enterprises: Insights from the VB Roundtable Preview

At the end of 2019, the “China Hospital STEM” rankings were released. The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine ranked fourth nationally in overall comprehensive performance. It ranked first in China in Infectious Diseases and General Surgery, second in Gastroenterology, and entered the top ten nationally in Hematology, Emergency Medicine, Nephrology, Plastic Surgery, and Psychiatry.

Behind these achievements lies the technological advantage that The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (FAHZU) has cultivated through its long-term active exploration in scientific and technological innovation and translation, thereby establishing its distinctive identity as a research-oriented and innovative hospital. During the pandemic, FAHZU achieved the remarkable feat of “zero infections,” “zero missed diagnoses,” and “zero deaths” by pioneering novel treatments and deploying new technologies. Thus, innovation constitutes the “core” competency of high-level comprehensive hospitals and serves as the primary driving force and enduring momentum for their sustained and steady development.

In December 2019, the Innovation and Translation Center of The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (FAHZU), established and managed by FAHZU, was launched in the Pharmaceutical Port Town of Hangzhou Qiantang New Area. The Center focuses on basic and translational medical research into new technologies, methods, and applications in fields such as cell therapy, gene editing, innovative drug development, clinical diagnostics, and innovative medical devices. Located within Hangzhou’s Pharmaceutical Port Town, the Center benefits from a cluster of 950 biopharmaceutical companies. Seven of the top ten global pharmaceutical firms, including Pfizer and Merck & Co., have established operations there. The town accounts for nearly 50% of Hangzhou’s total biopharmaceutical output value and has cultivated a comprehensive ecosystem encompassing industrial, innovation, ecological, talent, capital, and service chains.

From 20:00 to 21:15 on April 9, we invited Liang Tingbo, Party Secretary of The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (FAHZU); Lou Yufeng, Director of the Office of the Innovation and Translation Center; Wei Jianfeng, Founder and Chairman of Zhuojian Technology; and leaders from Hangzhou Medical Port to participate in a roundtable discussion. The conversation centered on the innovative “FAHZU Experience,” new directions and models for collaborative innovation between FAHZU and enterprises, and how companies can leverage top-tier medical institutions and industrial parks to achieve rapid growth.