On June 6, Shenzhen unveiled a key policy document titled "Opinions on Developing and Strengthening Strategic Emerging Industry Clusters and Fostering Future Industries," outlining plans to nurture and expand the city's "20+8" industrial clusters. This initiative focuses on advancing 20 strategic emerging industry clusters centered around advanced manufacturing, while also proactively positioning itself in eight cutting-edge future industries. The plan aims to stabilize the manufacturing base, bolster the momentum of the real economy, and accelerate the city's development into a globally influential hub for technological and industrial innovation. By 2025, Shenzhen’s strategic emerging industries are projected to contribute more than 1.5 trillion yuan in added value, firmly establishing themselves as the primary engine driving the city’s high-quality economic and social growth.

According to the "Opinions," eight key future industries will be prioritized for development, fostering new growth drivers and unlocking fresh potential—these include synthetic biology, blockchain, and more. Cells and Genes - Aerospace technology, brain science and neuromorphic intelligence, deep Earth and deep-sea exploration, visible-light communication and optical computing, quantum information.

The "Opinions" contain the following information regarding cellular topics:

(II) Key Development Directions for Future Industries

3. Cells and Genes: Focus will be placed on advancing cell technology, gene technology, cell- and gene-based therapeutic approaches, and bio-breeding technologies. Efforts will also aim to refine the approval processes for cell and gene-based pharmaceuticals, strengthen the regulatory framework, enhance incentives for clinical trials, and improve mechanisms for promoting their practical applications. Additionally, plans are underway to accelerate the development of a pioneering hub for the cell and gene industry.

18. Biopharmaceutical Industry Cluster. We will support the development of areas such as innovative chemical drugs, novel drug delivery systems and high-end formulations, modern traditional Chinese medicine, advanced pharmaceutical equipment, and digital healthcare. Additionally, we’ll drive breakthroughs in critical technologies like the research and development of next-generation gene therapy vectors, engineered cell construction, antibody engineering optimization, and AI-assisted drug design. Meanwhile, we’ll accelerate the construction of key projects, including the Baolong Biopharmaceutical Innovation Pilot Zone and the Pingshan Biopharmaceutical Industry Accelerator Park. Furthermore, we’ll encourage districts like Pingshan, Nanshan, Futian, Longgang, Guangming, and Dapeng to establish specialized industry clusters, positioning the biopharmaceutical industry cluster as a new highlight for regional economic growth.

On June 6, the Shenzhen Development and Reform Commission, Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission, Shenzhen Bureau of Industry and Information Technology, Shenzhen Administration for Market Regulation, and Shenzhen Health Commission jointly released the accompanying document to the recently issued "Opinions." This document outlines the "Shenzhen Action Plan for Cultivating and Developing the Biopharmaceutical Industry Cluster (2022–2025)," which sets ambitious goals: by 2025, the biopharmaceutical industry aims to achieve an added value of 40 billion yuan and generate 100 billion yuan in revenue. Additionally, the plan calls for the establishment of several specialized, collaboratively developed biopharmaceutical industrial parks that showcase distinct regional strengths, significantly boosting the industry's overall clustering and development capabilities.

The "Action Plan" includes the following information regarding cells:

IV. Key Projects

(7) Institutional and Mechanism Reform Initiative. Fully leverage the economic special zones' legislative powers and their role as pilot areas for comprehensive authorization reforms, driving forward pioneering efforts in areas such as research and translation of cutting-edge technologies like cell and gene therapies, conditional use of drugs, traditional Chinese medicines, and bio-based raw materials registered and approved in Hong Kong and Macao but not yet authorized domestically within licensed medical institutions, and facilitating cross-border circulation of these products. Fully leverage the role of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Branch Center of the National Medical Products Administration's Drug Review and Inspection Agency to enhance the efficiency of innovative drug review and approval processes in our city, thereby shortening the time it takes for products to reach the market. Additionally, initiate pilot studies on real-world data research and encourage companies to utilize real-world study data when submitting applications for new drugs. (The Municipal Development and Reform Commission, Science, Technology and Innovation Commission, Industry and Information Technology Bureau, Health Commission, Healthcare Security Bureau, and Market Supervision Administration will each take responsibility according to their respective functions.)