Research Technology Platform

Cell therapy is an emerging sector in the biotechnology industry. Potential game-changers for many major diseases, cell therapies use biological cells (e.g., stem cells and immune cells) as the therapeutic tools. Delivery technologies are critical for cell therapy. The Key Laboratory develops delivery technologies, along with associated technologies, to improve the overall therapeutic outcomes of cell therapies. Positioned at the intersection of two emerging fields, namely cell therapy and nanomedicine, the Key Laboratory aims to build a research and education platform that integrates cutting-edge research and translation to industry and clinic.

The Suzhou AI-Driven Biopharmaceutical Proof-of-Concept (PoC) Centre was jointly established in 2024 by the National Center of Biopharmaceutical Technology Innovation and XJTLU Wisdom Lake Academy of Pharmacy. Building upon XJTLU’s strong foundation in industry collaboration, the Centre serves diverse innovation entities—including universities, research institutes, enterprises, and start-ups—by integrating technological strengths and industrial ecosystem resources to bridge the critical “first kilometer” from original scientific discovery to concept validation.
Dedicated to the biopharmaceutical sector, the Centre prioritizes AI-driven research and intelligent manufacturing technologies for antibody-based biologics (such as monoclonal, bispecific, and fusion antibodies) and their derivatives (including antibody fragments, polymers, and ADCs). It provides comprehensive support across the entire innovation chain—spanning scientific discovery, proof-of-concept validation, and market engagement—aiming to create an efficient and synergistic ecosystem for biopharmaceutical innovation and development that accelerates the translation of cutting-edge scientific achievements to industrial applications.

Xi ‘an Jiaotong Liverpool University established the XJTLU Wisdom Lake Macro-molecular Characterization Analysis Centre in 2021 after intensive market research and demand analysis in accordance with the principle of “demand-oriented, index assessment, layout and step-by-step strategy” in order to empower biological drug development and consecutively promote the in-depth cooperation between government, industry, university and research institutes. The Centre is aimed to address the critically needed areas in research and development of innovative drugs, especially macromolecule-based innovative drugs, including the assessment for drug metabolism, efficacy and toxicity.

The innovation platform will employ expertise from the R&D team of XJTLU Wisdom Lake Academy of Pharmacy. The research focuses of the platform include machine learning and AI-assisted drug design, new drug targets and mechanism of action study, drug synthesis and mass production, formulation, pharmacology and toxicology, neurobiology and model animal study, etc. The R&D team will collaboratively tackle the challenges of developing drug candidates to treat neurodegenerative diseases, improve public understanding of neurodegenerative diseases, and therefore discover novel approaches to treat neurodegenerative diseases. On the basis of platform development and project demands, the platform is recruiting research scientists and postdoctoral researchers, aiming to integrate high-quality biopharmaceutical resources worldwide, breakthrough the education mode of traditional universities, promote high-level of international collaborations, and advance talent recruitment and the aggregation of research outputs.

In the vast landscape of life sciences, traditional biochemical methods often describe only the average characteristics of molecules and cell populations, making it difficult to reveal the dynamic behaviors of individual molecules or cells. As research increasingly demands higher resolution and precision, single-molecule and single-cell analysis technologies—providing insights into individual behaviors—have emerged as a frontier field for exploring the mysteries of life.
The Suzhou Industrial Park Center of Excellence for Single-Molecule Single-Cell Imaging and Analysis was established in this context, focusing on key technologies such as single-molecule tracking, single-cell imaging, and high-sensitivity detection. The platform is dedicated to developing novel nanoprobes and advanced imaging and detection methods to achieve high-resolution, real-time, and quantitative analysis of life processes. Its establishment bridges the gap between basic research and industrial application, providing crucial support for fields such as cell therapy, early disease screening, and precision medicine.

The NextGen Pharma X was jointly established in November 2024 by the XJTLU Wisdom Lake Academy of Pharmacy and the National Center for Biotechnology Innovation. The center aims to help pioneering biopharmaceutical innovations successfully cross the “first mile” of commercialization. By integrating multidisciplinary research, talent, technology, funding, and market elements, the center rapidly validates the technical, preparative, application, and market feasibility of innovative concepts, forming the prototype for product commercialization. It focuses on translating original scientific achievements in the research and manufacturing technologies of innovative antibody and protein biologics, and provides comprehensive facilities and institutional support to evaluate and accelerate the commercial potential, product viability, and service concepts of novel antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technologies.

XJTLU-PegBio Chronic Disease Research Institute was jointly established by XJTLU Wisdom Lake Academy of Pharmacy and PegBio Biomedical (Suzhou) to focus on drug metabolism and neurodegenerative disease research and development. With support from the Academy, the institute aims to build a world-class research and development platform in innovative drugs for chronic disease, leading to premium-quality medicines that benefit the majority of patients and promote the Pharma Valley of China’s industrial development. The institute will connect top talents in innovative chronic-disease drugs research and development, develop and commercialise cutting-edge innovative drugs for chronic diseases, and cultivate international talents for emerging industries.

The research institute is established through a collaboration between XJTLU Wisdom Lake Academy of Pharmacy and Guizhou Liansheng Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. It will focus on the research and development of transdermal drug and medical device products, in response to societal development and market demand. Through connecting domestic and international high-quality resources, XJTLU Wisdom Lake Academy of Pharmacy is committed to medical innovation and forward-looking technology research. Both parties will carry out multi-level scientific research cooperation and talent development in the field, with a particular focus on researching transdermal drug delivery patch technology, innovating transdermal drug delivery technology and mucosal drug delivery technology, and establishing a new transdermal drug delivery technology platform, thereby achieving fruitful integration of industry, academia, and research.

XJTLU Wisdom Lake Academy of Pharmacy-BEAVER Biomedical Joint Scientific Laboratory was co-founded by the Academy and BEAVER Biomedical Engineering. Its focus is the application and development of nanomaterials in biopharmaceuticals, mainly the application of nanomaterials in biological sample culture, separation, purification and detection. The lab aims to link high-end talents and contribute to research and development of key technology, commercialisation of scientific and technological achievements, and implementation of smart application solutions.

The Joint Centre is an organic combination of specialized knowledge, skills, facilities, and resources in the fields of pharmacology and therapeutics between Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and the University of Liverpool. The joint center will introduce research strength from the University of Liverpool in the field of pharmacology and therapeutics, cooperate with new drug development companies and clinical medical institutions in Suzhou and the Yangtze River Delta region, and accelerate the drug development process by exploring disease mechanisms to develop new drugs with better efficacy and safety. The joint research center includes over 60 members from universities, hospitals, and enterprises.

Suzhou GenePharma Co., Ltd. has become the designated partner of the Experimental Animal Centre of the XJTLU Wisdom Lake Academy of Pharmacy, addressing XJTLU’s long-standing needs for animal experiment facilities and professional personnel. The centre provides a first-class scientific research platform to support talent cultivation at XJTLU, while also enabling rapid integration between the University’s fundamental research and GenePharma’s RNA drug development. Through this platform, both sides will deepen cooperation across multiple fields and accelerate the convergence of basic and translational biomedical research.