Increasingly, clinical cases demonstrate that stem cell technology holds groundbreaking significance for the advancement of human medicine. As a result, countries around the world are positioning stem cells as a strategic emerging industry aimed at enhancing their international competitiveness in the field of human health.

As a century-old pharmaceutical company, Jiuzhitang has positioned itself perfectly at the right moment. As early as 2015, it announced its strategic move to leverage its strengths in traditional Chinese medicine while tapping into the global expertise of stem-cell technology. This bold initiative aims to integrate China’s time-honored medical practices with cutting-edge biotechnology in regenerative medicine, paving the way for an innovative growth path tailored specifically for this iconic Chinese enterprise. To accelerate its R&D efforts and seize a leading edge in China’s burgeoning stem-cell pharmaceutical market, Jiuzhitang established the Yonghe Qihang Fund, which has already invested in Stemedica Cell Technologies Inc., a U.S.-based leader in stem-cell innovation. Concurrently, Jiuzhitang founded Jiuzhitang Maker (Beijing) Cell Technologies Co., Ltd., becoming the exclusive Chinese partner entrusted with adopting and implementing Stemedica’s advanced stem-cell technologies. Through this collaboration, Jiuzhitang (Meike) has successfully introduced Stemedica’s scalable stem-cell production techniques and manufacturing platforms, overcoming critical technical hurdles that have long plagued the development of stem-cell-based therapies. Currently, the company is actively constructing a state-of-the-art, cGMP-compliant facility in Beijing’s Daxing District—meeting both U.S. and EU standards—to produce allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells derived from human bone marrow, as well as neural stem cells. This groundbreaking facility, spanning 4,500 square meters, is set to become operational by 2019, marking a significant milestone in Jiuzhitang’s mission to revolutionize regenerative medicine and solidify its role as a pioneer in the convergence of traditional Chinese medicine and modern biotechnology.

The establishment of Jiuzhitang (Meike) marks a significant step for this iconic traditional Chinese medicine enterprise toward pharmaceutical innovation. Looking ahead, the company will launch several international, multi-center clinical trials to further advance the development of stem-cell-based drug technologies.

Turning stem cells into pharmaceutical products is the strategic development path that Jiuzhitang has chosen for its stem cell offerings. As technology steadily advances, Jiuzhitang is building a state-of-the-art production facility in Daxing—designed and constructed entirely in accordance with U.S. and EU cGMP standards. Once operational, this facility will enable the company to produce 900,000 consistent, highly active therapeutic-grade stem cells from just one donated bone marrow sample, demonstrating the ability to scale up stem cell manufacturing efficiently. This breakthrough addresses a critical technical hurdle in making stem cells viable for widespread clinical use. Building on the existing expertise and achievements of Stemedica, a U.S.-based company, Jiuzhitang (Meike) will continue to innovate across key therapeutic areas, including neurology, cardiovascular health, endocrinology, orthopedics, and more. The company is currently finalizing documentation and preparing for clinical trials, with plans to submit an application to the CFDA within the year.

To accelerate the early market launch of stem cell therapies, Jiuzhitang (Meike) will collaborate with domestic hospitals to conduct multi-center clinical trials. Building on the promising clinical results achieved by Stemedica in the U.S., the company plans to advance stem cell-based clinical research focused on neurological and cardiovascular diseases.

On the forum, Jiuzhitang Maker (Beijing) Cell Technology Co., Ltd. also signed cooperation agreements with Mexico’s Novastem Cell Technology Company and Kazakhstan’s ALTACO Cell Technology Company, respectively, to jointly establish an international stem cell research and development platform.

Following this, Professor Aaron Ciechanover, the 2004 Nobel laureate; Dr. Joseph Maroon, an international expert in clinical stem cell research; Dr. Michael Levy; Professor Yuan Baozhu, Director of the Cell Resource Storage and Research Center at the China National Institute for Food and Drug Control; Professor Zhang Yanan from Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Affiliated to Capital Medical University; Professor Tian Ye from the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University; and Dr. Alex Kharazi, Chief Medical Officer of Stemedica Corporation—each shared their expertise on cutting-edge advancements in the field of stem cells, drawing from their respective areas of specialization.

Attendees jointly witnessed the launch ceremony marking Jiuzhitang's entry into the stem-cell pharmaceutical sector. Jiuzhitang will continue to proactively build an international R&D, production, and application network, playing a vital role in enhancing the competitiveness of China’s stem-cell-based drug development and driving the growth of the country’s regenerative medicine field.