Recently, Shenzhen has launched a special support program aimed at establishing major public service platforms and tackling core technologies in the biopharmaceutical industry, further boosting innovation in Shenzhen's biopharmaceutical and medical device sectors. This special support program includes two key components: a major public service platform for the biopharmaceutical industry and a core technology research initiative, as well as a city-level public technical service platform upgrade program. Under the program, up to 300 million yuan in funding is available for tackling critical core technologies.

The biopharmaceutical industry is one of Shenzhen's seven strategic emerging industries. As one of the first national biopharmaceutical industry bases and a national demonstration zone for independent innovation, Shenzhen has established an early and strong foundation for its biopharmaceutical development. The city has already nurtured a group of outstanding biotech companies, driving continuous expansion of the industry and fostering the emergence of new business models.

In recent years, particularly since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Shenzhen has placed great emphasis on developing its biopharmaceutical industry, introducing a series of supportive policies and measures. Recently unveiled, the "Several Measures to Promote the Development of the Biopharmaceutical Industry Cluster in Shenzhen (Draft for Comments)" outlines key initiatives such as strengthening industrial infrastructure support, enhancing R&D assistance for product development, boosting clinical research translation and collaboration between medical institutions and enterprises, accelerating drug approval processes, elevating "Made in Shenzhen" capabilities, and speeding up the adoption and commercialization of innovative products. Prior to this, the Shenzhen government had already rolled out the "1+3" policy framework aimed at fostering the growth of the biopharmaceutical industry cluster. This includes the "Guiding Opinions on Promoting the Agglomeration Development of the Biopharmaceutical Industry in Shenzhen," along with three accompanying documents: the "Implementation Plan for the Agglomeration Development of the Biopharmaceutical Industry in Shenzhen (2020–2025)," the "Biopharmaceutical Industry Development Action Plan in Shenzhen (2020–2025)," and the "Several Measures to Promote the Agglomeration Development of the Biopharmaceutical Industry in Shenzhen." These policies collectively aim to accelerate the establishment of a robust research and innovation ecosystem—driven by businesses and integrating industry, academia, and research—to achieve a breakthrough in the city’s total biopharmaceutical output value, targeting over 200 billion yuan by 2025.

Currently, Shenzhen is establishing a "city-district collaboration" coordination mechanism to drive the development of the city's biopharmaceutical industry cluster. A dedicated task force has been formed, comprising biopharmaceutical industry authorities from both the city and district levels, to strengthen cooperation with key parks, leading enterprises, research institutions, industry associations, strategic consulting firms, industry promotion organizations, and technology service providers. This initiative aims to accelerate the implementation of specialized park projects in priority areas, with municipal fiscal funding for the biopharmaceutical sector prioritizing support for the growth of these flagship industrial hubs.

Key areas in Shenzhen, including Pingshan District, Nanshan District, Futian District, Longgang District, Guangming District, and Dapeng New Area, are also accelerating the clustering and development of the biopharmaceutical industry while optimizing the layout of uniquely specialized biopharmaceutical industrial parks. For instance, Luohu District has been fully committed to fostering a life-and-health industry cluster, with the QingShuiHe Life & Health Innovation Base and the DongXiao BuXin Life & Health Industry Base serving as core hubs, actively attracting leading enterprises in the broader health sector.

Various policy measures have positioned Shenzhen as a key city for China’s biopharmaceutical industry, earning widespread acclaim from the industry. The head of a Shenzhen-based biopharmaceutical company noted that the city’s comprehensive suite of supportive policies is highly practical and effective. Providing robust support for the development of Shenzhen's pharmaceutical industry cluster across multiple dimensions, including R&D direction, R&D models, clinical research, and market commercialization.

The newly launched major public service platform and core technology breakthrough support program for the biopharmaceutical industry has outlined 36 key areas of focus, with funding provided in a phased approach. For the establishment of major public service platforms by contract R&D institutions, contract manufacturing organizations, or contract custom R&D and production entities, funding will be provided at 40% of the total project investment as verified by a special audit, with a maximum cap of 50 million yuan. For other types of major public service platforms, support will also be granted at 40% of the total project investment as verified by a special audit, up to a maximum of 30 million yuan. However, for projects focused on tackling core technologies in drugs and advanced medical devices, funding will be provided at 40% of the total project investment—as verified by a special audit—capping out at 300 million yuan.

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