On June 20, the signing ceremony for the "Peking University Health Science Center – Qidu Pharma Innovative Formulations Joint Laboratory" was held at the Science and Innovation Center of Peking University Health Science Center (PUHSC). Qiao Jie, Executive Vice President of Peking University, Dean of PUHSC, and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), and Song Zhenbo, Member of the Zibo Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee and Vice Mayor of Zibo Municipal Government, delivered speeches and jointly unveiled the laboratory. Zheng Jiaqing, Party Secretary and Chairman of Qidu Pharma, delivered a speech and signed the cooperation agreement with Xiao Yuan, Deputy Director of PUHSC. Ye Min, Dean of the Peking University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, attended and spoke at the ceremony, while Professor Wang Yiguang, Vice Dean, introduced the laboratory’s research directions and phased plans. Vice Dean Fang Cheng presided over the event.

Other distinguished attendees included Zhang Qiang, Boya Distinguished Professor of Peking University and CAE Academician; Lü Tingyu, Party Secretary of the PUHSC Industry Committee; Jiao Ning, Party Secretary of the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences; Xiong Xin, Director of the Zibo Science and Technology Bureau; Zhang Ximin, Deputy Secretary-General of Zibo Municipal Government; Cai Huagang, Deputy Secretary of the Linzi District Committee and District Mayor; Lou Hongxiang, Chief Scientist of Qidu Pharma and Professor of Shandong University; Zhang Jianyong, General Manager of Qidu Pharma; and Dong Xu, Senior Deputy General Manager. Representatives from PUHSC, Zibo government officials, and researchers from Qidu Pharma’s R&D institute also participated.

Qiao Jie extended a warm welcome to all attendees and expressed her gratitude. She noted that Qidu Pharma ranks among China’s top 100 pharmaceutical companies and is a leading brand in intravenous solutions, with a well-structured healthcare industry layout, a robust R&D innovation system, and a strong industrial foundation. In recent years, the company has significantly increased R&D investment, focusing on innovative drug formulations, making it one of the most dynamic enterprises in China’s pharmaceutical sector.

She emphasized that the collaboration between PUHSC and Qidu Pharma will leverage the strengths of both academia and industry, accelerating scientific and technological advancements in innovative drug formulations. Achieving "the historic transition from imitation to innovation and from a pharmaceutical manufacturing giant to a global leader" is a crucial national demand. The joint laboratory aligns with China’s strategy to develop new quality productive forces and enhance innovation in the healthcare industry.

She further stressed that drug formulations are the final form of clinical medications, and drug delivery systems are key to ensuring therapeutic efficacy. The joint laboratory should swiftly initiate proof-of-concept research on innovative drug delivery technologies and tackle formulation technologies that address unmet medical needs in China, contributing to the R&D and industrialization of innovative drugs.

Song Zhenbo introduced Zibo’s historical, geographical, and industrial background, highlighting the city’s long-standing cooperation with Peking University. He stated that Peking University’s strong research capabilities complement Qidu Pharma’s industrial resources, facilitating the industrialization of scientific achievements. Enterprises can leverage academic talent and cutting-edge technologies to drive innovation and growth.

As Shandong is a major pharmaceutical hub and Zibo a key player in the industry, the municipal government will fully support the collaboration, providing a favorable development environment and resource guarantees to elevate industry-academia-research cooperation to new heights.

Zheng Jiaqing congratulated the successful signing and expressed gratitude for the long-standing support from leaders and experts. He introduced Qidu Pharma’s history, industrial layout, R&D efforts, and industry-academia collaborations, noting that PUHSC is China’s most prestigious medical and pharmaceutical research institution, integrating education, research, and clinical practice.

He proposed three key directions for future collaboration:

1. Focus on projects and deliver results quickly – Utilize joint research strengths in innovative drug delivery and formulation technologies.

2. Expand collaboration comprehensively – Broaden cooperation in product development, talent training, and joint research funding applications.

3. Establish a long-term mechanism – Strengthen organizational leadership, clarify objectives, and ensure effective implementation to advance university-enterprise cooperation.

He affirmed that the joint laboratory marks a strong beginning, with Qidu Pharma committed to sincere, trust-based, and mutually beneficial collaboration. He expressed hope that the partnership would contribute significantly to high-quality development in both academia and industry, as well as China’s healthcare advancement.