Beike Biotech and China’s Tsinghua University Receive USD $4 Million for Stem Cell
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Beike Biotechnology has announced that it has formally established a laboratory facility for the research of cell reprogramming and gene engineering, through a joint agreement with the Shenzhen Graduate School of China’s renowned Tsinghua University.
The lab will conduct research on stem cells, the nuclear transfer and reprogramming of cells, monoclonal antibodies known as “magic bullets” for treating disease and other scientifically exciting cell engineering innovations.
The aim of the lab is to establish a global research hub that will hopefully someday provide breakthroughs in the way medical science seeks to treat diseases like cancer, Parkinson’s, and many other debilitating ailments.
“We are already helping thousands of patients with our current umbilical cord stem cell treatments, but this ultra high-tech lab will bring us even closer to our goal of helping millions of patients improve their quality of life and will ensure that we have more advanced products in our pipeline four to five years out.” said Beike Biotech’s Chairman, Dr. Sean Hu.
The 1,200 square meter laboratory will be housed in Beijing-based Tsinghua University’s special Shenzhen Graduate Campus located in this southern Chinese city that borders Hong Kong.
The USD $4 million grant will be spent purely on equipment and comes from the Shenzhen Municipal Government as part of a US$12 million grant given out in 2007 to encourage innovative technologies in Shenzhen.
Further grants from the government are expected to help cover the cost of running the lab and expansion. The lab is to be staffed by over 50 people, including 20 renowned Chinese Phd’s and well-known researchers like Dr. Zhang Hai, who has published articles widely in Western periodicals on her breakthroughs in research of microRNA and other cell building blocks.
“Dr. Zhang Hai is a pioneer and our work with her will allow Beike to lead the world not only in clinical applications of stem cells but also in basic research. Outside of China, it is not easy to get a 20 Phd’s together in a first class lab focusing on stem cell research. We expect to have some breakthroughs come out of this and more publications in leading journals,” Dr. Sean Hu said.
