Ten UK Biopharma Innovators Showcase Cutting-Edge Technologies at China Healthcare Investment Conference, Driving Sino-British Collaboration

From September 25 to 27, the 8th China Pharmaceutical Innovation and Investment Conference (hereinafter referred to as the “VC & Investment Conference”) will be held in Suzhou. A special session for UK project roadshows will be held on the afternoon of September 25 to introduce high-quality cutting-edge technologies and innovative research outcomes from the United Kingdom.

Ten innovative UK pharmaceutical companies will participate in the roadshow, focusing on niche sectors such as oncology, immune-mediated diseases, and healthy aging. They will showcase their technical services and products, fostering cross-border collaboration opportunities through idea sharing and in-depth dialogue, thereby promoting the translation and implementation of international innovative technologies.

Industry professionals are welcome to visit the site for face-to-face exchanges with these cutting-edge UK pharmaceutical technology companies. If you are unable to attend in person, there is no need to worry; you may read the following section to learn about their services and products. Should you be interested in connecting with these companies to explore collaboration opportunities, please contact our team via the information provided at the end of this article.

As one of the world’s top three life sciences hubs, the United Kingdom has long maintained a global leadership position in investment and research and development within the healthcare sector. Strong support from the UK government has further driven innovative development in medical technology. Amid an increasingly pronounced aging trend, the UK government has increased investment in digital infrastructure and 5G technology, supporting companies in leveraging digitization, the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and 3D printing to enhance their R&D capabilities. Countless UK pharmaceutical companies are at the forefront of innovation, drawing on advanced technologies across diverse fields such as small molecules, biologics, vaccines, and advanced therapies. These companies are actively engaged in addressing oncology, immune-mediated diseases, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular conditions, chronic diseases, central nervous system disorders, and rare diseases, providing diversified healthcare solutions for patients worldwide.

In 2015, the UK government formulated “UK Strategy 2015–2020: Achieving World-Class Cancer Treatment Outcomes.” The main strategic objectives included: improving cancer survival rates; enhancing capabilities for early and rapid diagnosis; improving patient experience; and improving quality of life. To achieve these four strategic objectives, the UK government and the NHS committed to building a comprehensive big data processing system to analyze various cancer indicators and identify high-quality cancer treatment regimens.

The UK has also established a robust cancer research infrastructure, comprising five cancer institutes, 13 cancer research centers, eight clinical trial centers, and 18 experimental medicine centers. More than 480 cancer clinical trials are currently being conducted and recruiting participants in the UK.

In the field of genomics, the UK launched the “100,000 Genomes Project” in December 2012, aiming to help scientists and doctors better understand rare diseases and cancer by collecting genomic sequencing data from 100,000 individuals, thereby creating a new framework for “genomic medicine services.” Genomics England was established accordingly and completed whole-genome sequencing for 100,000 patients with cancer and rare diseases over five and a half years. The successful completion of this genomic sequencing initiative has built upon the UK’s strong foundation in cancer research, positioning it as one of the world’s leading locations for the development and commercialization of cancer treatments and diagnostic technologies, while spurring the rapid emergence of a cohort of innovative technology companies dedicated to oncology diagnosis and therapy.

Taking Cizzle Biotech as an example, the company has developed a laboratory test to validate the detection of lung cancer using the CIZ1 B biomarker. This test is based on 15 years of funded basic research into the forms and functions of CIZ1 and its relationship with cancer. CIZ1 is part of the nuclear structure that controls gene expression; a variant form, known as CIZ1 B, is produced by lung cancer cells and can be used for lung cancer detection.

Artios Pharma is dedicated to curing cancer by targeting the DNA damage repair (DDR) response that cancer cells exploit to promote their survival. The company systematically discovers and develops drugs targeting the entire DDR process through its DcoDeR platform. Currently, Artios has established a DDR-focused pipeline aimed at addressing critical unmet needs in solid tumor indications. Its lead candidates, the ATR inhibitor ART0380 and the Polθ inhibitor ART4215, are in Phase 1/2 clinical trials and are being developed as monotherapies and combination therapies, respectively.

Charles River’s cell microarray technology enables the construction of an off-target liability profile for biotherapeutics through cross-reactivity screening, helping to mitigate risk by providing more informed safety assessments. This technology screens test ligands for binding against over 6,500 full-length proteins individually expressed in human cells, thereby identifying interactions with cell surface receptors and secreted proteins separately. This physiologically relevant system, combined with extensive protein coverage, allows for the detection of even low-affinity interactions with high sensitivity and specificity. Currently, this technology is being used by the top 20 pharmaceutical developers worldwide to accelerate the market launch of new therapies, achieving high success rates, high specificity, low false-positive rates, and rapid delivery.

As an innovative company focused on immunology research, ProImmune provides unique solutions for preclinical and clinical immunological studies, including a fully integrated antigen characterization platform, as well as products and services that utilize state-of-the-art ELISpot and flow cytometry technologies to track antigen-specific immune responses. ProImmune has become a leader in the field of immunology by identifying potential epitopes and monitoring the immune system's response to them.

From the early days of chemotherapy to today’s targeted and immunotherapies, we are drawing ever closer to the goal of curing cancer. With continued advancements in medical technology and the accumulation of research, we believe the era when cancer was met with dread will soon be a thing of the past.

As one of the earliest developed countries to experience population aging, the United Kingdom has seen its innovative pharmaceutical companies intensify their strategic presence in the elderly care and chronic disease markets. By leveraging advancements across drug pipelines, pharmaceutical technologies, drug delivery systems, big data, and intelligent solutions, these companies aim to enhance therapeutic efficacy, shorten treatment cycles, and improve the quality of life for patients and the elderly alike.

Crystec leverages the characteristics of supercritical fluid crystallization and applies this technology to inhalation drug delivery, particularly in the development of high-end generic and innovative generic drugs. As a fundamentally innovative approach, supercritical crystallization improves drug delivery efficacy and in vivo absorption by modulating the physical properties of pharmaceuticals. Consequently, this technology has broad applications, including polymorph screening, solubility enhancement of poorly soluble drugs, improvement of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) stability, development of cocrystals and polymer-based composite formulations, and the development of solid dosage forms for biologics.

Fitabeo Therapeutics is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company primarily developing drugs for patients with advanced, incurable diseases or chronic debilitating conditions. Fitabeo’s technology enables the combined release of one or more drugs via rapidly dissolving single-layer films, with drug release lasting up to 12 hours. This technology has the potential to transform lives by facilitating the development and commercialization of therapies that reduce dosing frequency to twice daily, replacing traditional medications and hospital-based treatments, thereby enabling patients to live independently at home for longer periods. The company is currently developing innovative drugs to help manage chronic pain in terminally ill patients, significantly improving their quality of life.

Phastar is a professional biostatistics research organization that assists pharmaceutical companies in advancing drug development through study design, data collection and management, statistical analysis, and report writing for clinical trials. It leverages algorithm development and machine learning to support precision medicine, applying these technologies to areas such as clinical data.

Congenica’s globally leading analytics platform enables rapid analysis and diagnosis of complex genetic data, providing the most cost-effective solutions for healthcare systems. Leveraging powerful analytical capabilities and data packages—featuring a comprehensive human genome database, along with specialized expertise and technical support in genetic disorders, oncology, pharmacogenomics (PGx), and prenatal diagnosis—as well as world-class artificial intelligence and bioinformatics tools, the platform delivers reliable support for applications such as disease research, patient stratification, and companion diagnostics. With a profound understanding of genomic data acquisition, Congenica provides best-in-class tools for data analysis and dataset integration, committed to advancing the global implementation of precision medicine.

Furthermore, Actigen is developing GNR-055, a novel brain-penetrant iduronate-2-sulfatase enzyme replacement therapy for the treatment of MPS II (Hunter syndrome). The clinical course of MPS II is variable and further complicated by the ongoing development of pediatric patients; children typically appear normal at birth, with somatic symptoms usually emerging between the ages of 2 and 4 years. These symptoms include respiratory and cardiac dysfunction, cognitive impairment, behavioral disorders, neurological involvement, and various other manifestations. GNR-055 is specifically designed to address both somatic and central nervous system deficits. It is a recombinant fusion protein incorporating an antibody fragment that recognizes an extracellular epitope of the human insulin receptor α-subunit, thereby enabling transport across the blood-brain barrier.

According to data from the “2022 Report on Overseas Investment and M&A by Chinese Capital,” the number of overseas investment deals involving Chinese capital reached 454 in 2021, setting a new historical high, with figures rising sharply in 2022. Against this backdrop, many UK companies are well-positioned to provide comprehensive services to Chinese enterprises expanding into the UK market.

For example, Woodley BioReg, founded in 2000, is dedicated to helping biopharmaceutical, healthcare, and medical device companies develop and manufacture high-quality products that are effective and safe for patients worldwide. Its global clientele includes major pharmaceutical corporations as well as start-up biotechnology organizations. Through Woodley BioReg’s sound regulatory advice and guidance, the time-to-market for many early-stage products has been accelerated. Woodley BioReg supports pharmaceutical manufacturers in achieving successful drug registrations globally and helps clients operate in full compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), including those set by the WHO, ICH, and PIC/S. The company provides strategic counsel and industry-consensus frameworks covering areas such as biosimilars and license maintenance.

In the current new international landscape, the significance of establishing an international platform for cooperation and exchange in the pharmaceutical sector, promoting the integrated innovation of the global pharmaceutical industry and capital, and stimulating the vitality of original technologies in pharmaceutical innovation is self-evident.

The UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is committed to promoting exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and British enterprises, facilitating connections between businesses in both countries. If you are interested in learning more about opportunities in the UK’s biopharmaceutical sector or are seeking overseas partners, please contact:China.DBTHealth@fcdo.gov.uk

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