Video shooting: Yi Chengle Video editing: Liu Jianman

On May 16th, the second Zhongshan Biomedical Industry Forum with the theme of "Research Progress in the Treatment of ALS and Rare Diseases" opened at the Zhongshan Cuiheng New Area International Science and Technology Innovation Center. This forum is hosted by ZebraPeutics (Zhongshan) Ltd. and organized by Zhongshan Life Science Park. It brings together experts and scholars from top global research institutions, universities, and the medical industry to explore cutting-edge technologies in the field of biomedicine, promote international cooperation and research results transformation, and bring new hope for the treatment of ALS and other rare diseases, which are the "top five incurable diseases in the world".

This forum brings together experts and scholars from top global research institutions, universities, and the healthcare industry. Photo by journalist Wang Yun

This forum invited several authoritative experts from home and abroad to give keynote speeches. Professor Lee E. Errett from the University of Toronto and President of the Norman Bethune Medical Development Association of Canada reviewed the history of medical cooperation between China and Canada under the theme of the Bethune spirit and collaboration, injecting spiritual strength into the cooperation between the two sides in the new era. Professor Pierre Drapeau from the University of Montreal systematically analyzed the pathogenic mechanism and experimental therapy of ALS, providing solid theoretical support for disease research. Professor Jianxiang Hu from the University of Toronto focuses on the breakthrough progress of gene therapy for rare diseases, demonstrating the enormous potential of gene technology in overcoming the challenges of rare diseases.

The "fighter" Cai Lei, who fights against ALS, sent an AI video to congratulate the forum on its opening. Photo by journalist Wang Yun

Professor Lin Jianping from Nankai University and Klaus Fiebig, founder of KMFBio in Canada, and other experts also shared innovative practices in fields such as AI drug development and rare disease new drug development. The application of these cutting-edge technologies not only accelerates the process of new drug development, but also increases the success rate of drug development, injecting new vitality into the vigorous development of the biopharmaceutical industry.

At the forum, ZebraPeutics signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Canadian Norman Bethune Medical Development Association (BMDAC) to jointly build an international scientific research collaboration platform, using the Bethune spirit as a link to promote China Canada medical cooperation to a higher level and wider field. At the same time, the "Zebrafish ALS Drug Screening Platform" jointly initiated by Zebra Pharmaceutical and Cai Lei's team has been officially launched. This innovative platform will utilize advanced zebrafish technology to significantly improve the efficiency of ALS drug research and development, bringing new hope to ALS patients worldwide.

ZebraPeutics has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Canadian Norman Bethune Medical Development Association (BMDAC). Photo by journalist Wang Yun

As an important biopharmaceutical base in the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area, Zhongshan has accelerated the gathering of global high-end resources and actively created an international innovation ecosystem through carriers such as Zhongshan Health Base and Zhongshan Life Science Park in recent years. The holding of this forum not only showcases the strength of Zhongshan's biopharmaceutical industry, but also provides an important platform for promoting global collaboration in rare disease research and treatment.

Dr. Wen Xiaoyan, the person in charge of the organizing committee of this forum and the chairman of ZebraPeutics, said, "We look forward to using the forum as a link to promote deep cooperation between governments at all levels, academia, industry, clinical institutions, and patient organizations, inject new impetus into the high-quality development of the biopharmaceutical industry, promote more projects to be implemented, and enable scientific research achievements to benefit rare disease patients worldwide as soon as possible

All parties present unanimously emphasized the strategic significance of accelerating breakthroughs in rare disease treatment through international cooperation in the context of global health destiny without borders. This forum is not only a showcase of the strength of Zhongshan's biopharmaceutical industry, but also an important opportunity to promote global collaboration in rare disease research and treatment, including ALS.

(Source: Zhongshan+Reporter: He Tengjiang Correspondent: Chen Jingshen)