Chengdu Medical City Files IPO Prospectus After Pioneering 'Tri-Medical Integration' and Building a Western Biopharma Powerhouse Over Eight Years

In recent years, biomedical industrial parks in China have successively proposed the concepts of “integration of three medical sectors,” “integration of four medical sectors,” and “integration of five medical sectors.” Industrial integration is key to the development of the biopharmaceutical industry. The Proposal of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for Formulating the Fourteenth Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035 also points out that it is necessary to reinforce the principal role of enterprises in innovation, promote the aggregation of various innovation factors toward enterprises, advance deep integration of industry, academia, and research, support enterprises in taking the lead to form innovation consortia, and undertake major national science and technology projects.

The development of biomedicine begins with identifying clinical needs, which are then translated into product development by innovation research centers, clinical institutions, or enterprises. Subsequently, enterprises take charge of commercialization, ultimately leading to clinical application. In this process, as the primary drivers of innovation, enterprises must integrate resources across “industry, academia, research, and clinical practice.” This endeavor requires substantial investment and progresses slowly, posing even greater challenges for start-ups. Nowadays,The “Three-Medicine Integration” development model in industrial parks provides a natural collaborative ecosystem, bringing together hospitals, research institutions, enterprises, and upstream and downstream service providers, significantly reducing the communication costs and complexities among multiple parties and accelerating the translation of innovative achievements.。

Integrated ecosystems have become a key focus in the development of biopharmaceutical parks. Along this developmental path, Chengdu Medical City, located in Wenjiang District of Chengdu, has secured an early-mover advantage and achieved leading results.

In 2015, in the face of the pressing reality of severe spatial resource constraints and an industrial landscape characterized by a wide variety of sectors that lacked overall strength,Chengdu’s Wenjiang District pioneered the “Three-Medical Integration” development concept—integrating medical science, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare—nationwide in China, leveraging Chengdu Medical City as the main platform to vigorously foster an integrated ecosystem for the pharmaceutical and health industries.。

In the biomedical sector, medicine, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare are mutually reinforcing: medicine serves as the foundation, pharmaceuticals as the pathway, and healthcare as the ultimate goal. The integrated development model of these three domains brings together multiple stakeholders across medicine, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare, enabling them to fulfill their respective roles while providing mutual support. This model covers key nodes involved in the journey of a technology or pharmaceutical/medical device product from research and development to application, thereby accelerating the translation of biomedical projects.

Currently in Chengdu Medical CityBringing together more than 580 leading enterprises in the “three medicals” sector and their upstream and downstream partners, it has established a closed-loop ecosystem for project commercialization.Area A’s high-quality space for intelligent manufacturing in medicine, medical services, and pharmaceuticals has gathered industry leaders such as WuXi AppTec, Kelun-Biotech Biopharmaceutical, Baili Tianheng, Haisco Pharmaceutical, Grand Pharma, and Orient Gene, fully leveraging the pivotal role of these chain-leading enterprises. Area B’s high-quality sci-tech innovation space focuses on niche sectors including innovative chemical drugs, biologics, and precision medicine. It has introduced institutions such as the Boehringer Ingelheim Rehabilitation Hospital, the Merck BioValley CRO Project, and the National Center for Innovation in High-Performance Medical Devices, along with several innovative enterprises and upstream/downstream service providers (e.g., testing centers and animal experimentation centers). Additionally, supporting facilities for both living and working, such as talent apartments and an intellectual property protection center, have been established in the area.

Furthermore, Chengdu Medical City brings together 15 universities and research institutes, boasting a workforce of 200,000 professionals in technological innovation. It has attracted more than 200 high-level experts from national, provincial, and municipal tiers, including academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering such as Cheng Jing, Wei Yuquan, Yang Zhenglin, Chen Yeguang, Ren Qiushi, and Liu Jin, thereby promoting industry-academia-research collaboration, basic scientific research, and talent development. Centered on the needs of the entire biomedical industry chain, the park has established major innovation platforms and built a comprehensive public service platform system, including two state key laboratories, nine national-level R&D centers, and 192 provincial-level R&D platforms.

Currently,There are 1,136 drugs and medical devices under research and development in Chengdu Medical City., with 34 Class I new drugs and 67 Class III medical devices entering clinical trials;397 drugs and medical devices in production. Among them are multiple products that have broken international barriers and achieved industry-leading status.

Baili Tianheng’s quadruple-specific antibody drugs, GNC-038, GNC-039, and GNC-035, are the first three such agents worldwide to enter clinical trials, marking a breakthrough from zero. The bispecific antibody SI-B001 is currently undergoing clinical studies in China for multiple indications, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and esophageal cancer. Among global bispecific antibodies simultaneously targeting EGFR and HER3, SI-B001 has made the most rapid progress; its Phase III clinical trial for “EGFR wild-type NSCLC (combination therapy)” is already underway. Furthermore, the U.S. FDA has recently approved an investigational new drug application for the combination of SI-B001 and docetaxel.

Kelun-Biotech’s TROP2-targeting antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) SKB264 has received three Breakthrough Therapy Designations from the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE). Meanwhile, the randomized, controlled, open-label, multicenter Phase III clinical trial of SKB264 for the treatment of patients with unresectable locally advanced, recurrent, or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer who have previously received two or more lines of standard therapy has met its primary endpoint and has been approved by the CDE for inclusion in the priority review program. The first patient has been dosed in the China-based Phase III registration study of SKB264 for the treatment of hormone receptor-positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative breast cancer in the second-line or later setting. Recently, the company’s innovative drug A400 was granted Orphan Drug Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of RET fusion-positive solid tumors.

Haisco’s Class 1 new drug, ciprofol injection, is China’s first proprietary innovative Class 1 intravenous anesthetic agent. It has been approved for three indications: “sedation and anesthesia during non-endotracheal intubation surgeries/procedures,” “induction and maintenance of general anesthesia,” and “sedation during intensive care.” Currently, Phase III clinical trials for the indication of induction of general anesthesia are underway in the United States. Since the beginning of this year, Haisco has submitted Investigational New Drug (IND) applications for eight Class 1 new drugs, six of which have been approved for clinical trials.

After eight years of development, Chengdu Medical City has established a full industrial chain for the biopharmaceutical sector, spanning from medical R&D to pharmaceutical distribution, and has formed a closed-loop ecosystem for the big health industry that integrates six core functions: education, research, pharmaceuticals, medical care, rehabilitation, and elderly care.

When a new drug R&D company establishes itself in Chengdu Medical City, it can collaborate with CRO firms such as WuXi AppTec and Viva Biotech during the drug discovery phase to accelerate the R&D process. During the preclinical animal testing phase, companies like GemPharmatech and Dasuo Animal can provide animal disease models and experimental services. Once the new drug successfully obtains clinical trial approval, clinical trials can be commissioned to Kantang Hongyi. In addition, the Sichuan Provincial Institute for Drug Control and the Chengdu Institute for Food and Drug Control can provide testing and inspection services for enterprises.

"The head of Chengdu Medical City introduced: "Upstream and downstream are like going up and down stairs.Within the “integration of medicine, medical care, and pharmaceuticals” ecosystem of Chengdu Medical City, enterprises can readily establish collaborative partnerships with upstream and downstream partners as well as peer organizations, thereby accelerating product R&D and business growth.”

The development model of “integration of medical care, health insurance, and pharmaceuticals” promotes the clustering of upstream and downstream segments of the biopharmaceutical industry into cohesive ecosystems, accelerating the translation of technologies and products. The head of Chengdu Medical City noted that to create spaces for the “integration of medical care, health insurance, and pharmaceuticals” within biopharmaceutical industrial parks, three key elements are essential: first,Emphasize Planning-Led Development, focusing on a one-square-kilometer demonstration zone, where leading enterprises drive the convergence of high-quality spaces and premium industries, thereby promoting coordinated development across the entire region; secondly,Strengthening Factor Guarantees, and improve support in terms of capital, policy, housing, and other aspects; thirdly,Control Project Access, focusing on specialized tracks.

Currently, Chengdu Medical City has formed a spatial pattern of "two wings flying in tandem" with Zone A and Zone B. Zone A focuses on translation, while Zone B emphasizes innovation, with mutual collaboration between the two zones.

Area A, anchored by WuXi AppTec, is building a high-quality space for intelligent manufacturing in the pharmaceutical, medical, and healthcare sectors. It focuses on high-end manufacturing fields such as biopharmaceuticals and equipment manufacturing, attracting and landing leading enterprises including Kelun-Biotech, Orient Gene, Grand Pharma, Viva Biotech, and GenScript Biotech, which boast strong innovation capabilities and large-scale projects. High-Quality Space for Intelligent Manufacturing in the Pharmaceutical, Medical, and Healthcare Sectors in Area AEmphasize the leading role of industry leaders, strengthen and supplement the supply chain with core enterprises of key products as the focus, and gather high-quality resources.Meanwhile, District A has integrated industrial development with urban development, striving to create efficient, green, and vibrant “production-living-ecological” spaces. It has basically completed the landscape renovation along the west bank of the Yangliu River and established a road network consisting of three longitudinal and three transverse arteries.

Zone B centers on the Three-Medical Innovation Hub to create a high-quality sci-tech innovation space,Focusing on innovative chemical drugs, biologics, high-end medical devices, precision medicine, and the integration of healthcare, medical insurance, and pharmaceuticals with AI/big data., and has completed the construction of innovative carriers such as Phases 1–4 of the Three-Medical Innovation Center and the UESTC Industrial Park. Meanwhile, guided by the development concept of integrating production, living, and ecology (“Three-Life Integration”), Zone B’s high-quality sci-tech innovation space has designated areas for public platforms, scientific research and innovation, business support services, and residential amenities, with well-developed transportation and living facilities.

Biomedical industrial parks are emerging across China, with many adopting integrated development models, leading to a high degree of homogenization. How can Chengdu Medical City achieve a leading position?

First is the effective integration of multi-party resources. Chengdu Medical City is located in Wenjiang District, Chengdu, which boasts abundant medical resources, including numerous Grade A tertiary hospitals such as West China Hospital, Wenjiang Hospital of Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, Sichuan Mental Health Center, Bayi Rehabilitation Hospital, and Chengdu Fifth People’s Hospital. Meanwhile, Wenjiang hosts multiple research institutes, including the National Engineering Research Center for Biological Targeted Drugs, the National Innovation Center for High-Performance Medical Devices, and the State Key Laboratory of Characteristic Chinese Medicine Resources in Southwest China, conducting basic medical research focused on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of human diseases. Furthermore, Chengdu Medical City has a rich base of local pharmaceutical enterprises, with a diverse portfolio of drugs and medical devices under development and in production, underpinned by a robust pharmaceutical industry foundation.

Secondly, it is essential to identify a unique positioning.Chengdu Medical City proposes the cross-sector integration development concept of “BT+IT,” building a modern industrial system with the dual engines of “Three Medicines + Big Data/AI.”The application of artificial intelligence technologies is driving healthcare toward digitalization and precision, while empowering biopharmaceutical development and advancing medical research, thereby permeating the entire “three-medical” ecosystem. Relying on the National New Generation Artificial Intelligence Innovation Development Demonstration Zone and the National AI Innovation Application Pilot Zone, Chengdu Medical City has partnered with the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China to establish an industrial park, which has already attracted more than 30 enterprises, including the Sichuan Institute for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence.

Meanwhile, leveraging Chengdu’s advantages in the supply of medical radionuclides and radiopharmaceuticals, logistical connectivity, and policy support, Chengdu Medical City has proposed the development of a specialized industrial chain for Radiopharmaceutical Drug Conjugates (RDC).Pioneered the nationwide planning of a radiopharmaceutical industrial park with a total area of approximately 2 square kilometers., attracting leading and innovative enterprises such as Grand Pharma, Tongrui Pharmaceutical, and iBioz to establish their presence.

During its development, Chengdu Medical City has continuously strengthened its leading advantages. To further improve the “integration of medicine, medical care, and pharmaceuticals” development ecosystem, Chengdu Medical City has introduced industrial policies, talent policies, and policies for the transformation of scientific and technological achievements that are on par with those in pioneering regions, including the “10 Talent Measures” and the “32 Industrial Policies for the Integrated Development of Medicine, Medical Care, and Pharmaceuticals.”

Enterprises located in Chengdu Medical City also stated, “What attracts me most to Chengdu Medical City is its policy system supporting the entire industry chain. It features a comprehensive, full-lifecycle policy framework covering product R&D, clinical trials, market launch and manufacturing, as well as sales and utilization, providing strong policy support for the R&D and production activities of pharmaceutical and healthcare companies.”

Guided by the development concepts of “integration of healthcare, medical insurance, and pharmaceuticals” and “BT+IT,” Chengdu Medical City has witnessed rapid growth and has become a primary hub for Chengdu’s biopharmaceutical industry, particularly in niche sectors such as radiopharmaceutical drugs (RDC) and biopharmaceutical CXO services.

Looking ahead, Chengdu Medical City aims to establish itself as a premier national hub for the pharmaceutical and health industries. By 2026, it strives to achieve an operating revenue of RMB 100 billion and a total industrial output value of RMB 75 billion, with the pharmaceutical and health industry accounting for 50% of the output value, thereby demonstrating the supporting role of its leading industries. Leveraging the leading enterprises and innovative institutions within the park, Chengdu Medical City is committed to buildingThe most representative “BT+IT” industrial highland in western China, the most competitive biomedical CXO cluster in the western region, the most distinctive testing, inspection, and certification service hub, and the domestic center with the highest concentration of radiopharmaceutical industry development。

Meanwhile, Chengdu Medical City aims to become a leading engine for technological innovation in western China. By 2026, it will have established 14 national-level R&D institutions, with 1,904 pharmaceutical and medical device products under development, bringing the total number of provincial-level or higher R&D institutions to 116. It will create a biopharmaceutical industry fund with nationwide influence and drive investments in 20 pharmaceutical sci-tech startups. Furthermore, guided by the concept of “integration of production, living, and ecology,” Chengdu Medical City will further improve park infrastructure in areas such as green spaces, transportation, housing, and commercial services.

Honors such as “Top 10 Best Biopharmaceutical Industrial Parks,” “China’s Most Promising Biopharmaceutical Industrial Park,” and “China’s Best Medical Health Industrial Park” affirm the development of Chengdu Medical City by the industry. The rapid growth and public listings of resident enterprises like Kelun-Biotech and Baili Tianheng, along with the implementation of multiple innovative drug and medical device projects, demonstrate the industrial value of Chengdu Medical City. In the future, the park will fully leverage its regional advantages, deepen its focus on specialized sectors, and enhance the “integration of medicine, medical care, and pharmaceuticals” ecosystem, striving to become a leading national innovation hub for the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.