Hunan Changde, bio-manufacturing, 12.5 billion!

On March 14, in the production workshop of Hunan Pilot Biotechnology Co., Ltd. located in Jinshi High-tech Zone, the newly developed D-ester project is being produced on a large scale. This project uses a biocatalytic enzyme process, which, compared to the original chemical process, can reduce production costs by nearly 60% and decrease pollutant emissions by more than 80%.

Hunan Changde seizes future opportunities, vigorously developing the synthetic biomanufacturing industry. The city has 35 synthetic biomanufacturing enterprises, with an output value of 12.5 billion yuan in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 25.9%.

Changde, how to accelerate the development of synthetic biology manufacturing industry? In fact, this is a "symphony" of future industrial development played in unison by the province, city, and county.

Not long ago, the General Office of the Provincial Government issued the "Several Measures on Supporting the High-Quality Development of the Synthetic Biomanufacturing Industry in Changde City," incorporating the synthetic biomanufacturing industry of Changde City into the province's key industry planning for focused support. It introduced 10 targeted and high-value policy measures, greatly inspiring the enterprises.

"Seize the new track, firmly hold the 'new rice bowl.' Changde Party Secretary Luo Yijun introduced that by 2028, efforts will be made to build Changde into a new highland for synthetic biomanufacturing in the country, the preferred place for the transfer and transformation of achievements, and a demonstration site for the integrated development of industry and city."

Since 2024, Changde has launched a series of combined measures, focusing on planning guidance, technology empowerment, policy support, event-driven promotion, and legislative guarantees, to comprehensively promote the development and accelerate the growth of this industry.

Establish a Changde City Science and Technology Innovation Decision-making Advisory Committee composed of 29 academicians and experts; compile the "Changde City Synthetic Biomanufacturing Industry Development Plan (2024-2028)", following the layout of "one center, three bases", promote the construction of the Changde Synthetic Biomanufacturing Industry Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, the Changde Economic Development Zone Synthetic Biomanufacturing Pilot Transformation Base, the Jinshi "Acceleration Factory" construction, and the Anxiang County Synthetic Biomanufacturing Industry Development Agglomeration Area, to fully build a leading "Biomanufacturing Valley" in the province and a well-known one nationwide.

Introduce the Several Measures for Supporting Synthetic Biomanufacturing Industry in Changde, establish the "Excellence Program" for the development of synthetic biomanufacturing industry, and cultivate and incubate high-quality micro projects; set up a 5 billion yuan mother fund for the synthetic biomanufacturing industry and a 1 billion yuan science and technology innovation guidance fund, investing early, small, long-term, and in hard technology.

Since 2024, Changde has consecutively hosted events such as the Synthetic Biology Manufacturing Industry Development Conference and the Synthetic Biology Manufacturing Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, continuously "breaking the circle" and attracting a large number of academicians, experts, strategic partners, investment and financing institutions, and representatives from leading enterprises.

Dai Linjun, the Party Secretary of Changde Science and Technology Bureau, introduced that the rapid development of Changde's synthetic biomanufacturing industry is inseparably related to the advantages of a good industrial foundation, complete park facilities, and mature pilot conditions in Changde.

"In the 1970s, Changde Jinshi Enzyme Preparation Factory was one of the earliest enterprises in Hunan to venture into the biomanufacturing industry," introduced Liu Feng, Deputy Secretary of the Party Working Committee of Jinshi High-tech Zone.

In Jin City, distinctive backbone enterprises such as Xinhexin, Pilot Biotech, and Hongjian Bio have emerged. Jin City has established a complete steroid drug industry chain of "microbial fermentation-steroid hormone intermediates-high-end raw materials-high-end drug formulations," becoming the largest production and export base for biological enzyme preparations, steroid raw materials, and pharmaceutical intermediates in the country. The enzyme preparation industry cluster has been selected as a characteristic industrial cluster in the province.

"After examining more than a dozen cities across the country, we ultimately chose to settle in Changde Economic Development Zone, attracted by Changde's convenient transportation, lower cost of industrial factors, and good foundation for industrial development," said Yu Yong, Senior Vice President of Shenzhou Redlin Biotechnology Co., Ltd. The company expects to acquire land in June this year and start production in the second half of next year, with an estimated annual output value of about 600 million yuan after reaching full production."

"In 2024, the city signed 35 synthetic biomanufacturing industry projects with a total investment of 7.924 billion yuan, including 2 projects over 1 billion yuan, 6 projects have acquired land, and 4 projects have started production." Dai Linjun introduced that Changde will focus on nurturing specialized, refined, unique, and innovative enterprises, single-item champion enterprises, and gazelle enterprises, aiming to introduce and cultivate more than 100 chain enterprises by 2028, with an output value exceeding 30 billion yuan."