On April 2, 2025, ZJE successfully held the 22nd session of “iZJEer Talk” Roundtable Dialogue. This session focused on investment and entrepreneurial opportunities in the biopharmaceutical sector. Three industry experts were invited: Dr. Zhang Liang, Dr. Zhang Zhen, and Dr. Ru Huanwei. The event was hosted by ZJE Vice Dean Ye Zhiguo.
Innovation at the Forefront of the Era
Driven by both the Healthy China 2030 strategic plan and the 14th Five-Year Plan for Bioeconomy Development, China’s biopharmaceutical industry is undergoing profound transformation. At the opening of the event, ZJE Vice Dean Ye Zhiguo introduced the ZJU-UoE Institute (ZJE)’s ongoing commitment to cutting-edge basic research in life and health sciences. He emphasized ZJE’s mission to cultivate biomedical talents with exceptional academic foundations, innovative mindsets, and global perspectives.
ZJE Vice Dean Ye Zhiguo noted: “The global biopharmaceutical sector is currently experiencing three unprecedented opportunities—unprecedented national strategic support, unprecedented speed in technological iteration, and unprecedented intensity of capital aggregation.”
The Investor’s Perspective on China’s Innovative Drug Landscape
In his keynote address titled “China's Innovative Drug Sector Through the Eyes of an Investor,” Dr. Liang Zhang provided a macro-level overview of global biopharmaceutical development and offered a systematic analysis of the rise, challenges, and investment logic within China's innovative drug industry. He noted that reforms in drug evaluation and approval processes have accelerated the market entry of innovative therapies, signaling the dawn of a "golden era" for pharmaceutical R&D in China.
Dr. Zhang outlined the evolution of China's drug innovation model from “Me-too” to “Fast Follow” to “First-in-Class (FIC),” marking the country's transition into original innovation. He illustrated how venture capital facilitates the transformation of “laboratory results” into “effective therapies” through examples such as Rituximab and CAR-T treatments. He also shared his enduring commitment to his professional mission as a healthcare investor.
Technology Transfer and Cross-Disciplinary Talent Development
Dr. Zhen Zhang’s presentation, “Case Studies on University Technology Transfer and Career Development in the Pharmaceutical Industry,” highlighted successful collaborations between Zhejiang Longcharm Bio-Tech Pharma Co., Ltd. and Zhejiang University. He provided an in-depth analysis of the commercialization pathways for scientific research outcomes, emphasizing the importance of aligning research topics with clinical needs and industrial feasibility from the outset.
Dr. Zhang advocated for enhanced cultivation of cross-disciplinary talents who bridge academia and industry. He also introduced common roles across the biopharmaceutical value chain and used his company’s structure to illustrate key functional positions and organizational design within biopharmaceutical enterprises.
Youth Responsibility: Anchoring Personal Aspirations in the Tide of the Times
During the roundtable discussion, the panelists shared their personal journeys into biopharmaceutical investment and entrepreneurship. Referencing a story about Warren Buffett, one speaker remarked, “The secret to working every day like dancing a waltz is finding something you love for a lifetime.” The speakers encouraged students to align their personal aspirations with a sense of mission and passion.
As an alumnus of Zhejiang University, Dr. Liang Zhang recalled the medical student’s oath he took upon entering university: “I pledge my devotion to health and life.” He emphasized how this commitment continues to shape his career decisions. He also cited President Chu Kochen’s “Two Questions” as a dual compass for aspiration and action.
Dr. Huanwei Ru shared his academic journey, noting that perseverance is key to overcoming adversity. He encouraging biomedical students to dream big while addressing practical clinical needs. He also stressed the importance of expanding cross-disciplinary capabilities in law, business, and management alongside scientific specialization.
Another Zhejiang University alumnus, Dr. Zhen Zhang, reflected on his own academic experience and affirmed that today’s students are living in an era rich with unprecedented opportunities. He underscored the value of staying informed on industry developments as a compass for career planning. Quoting alumnus Duan Yongping, he concluded with: “Do the right thing, then do things right,” urging students to act with purpose and precision.
During the discussion, students engaged with the panel on a range of forward-looking questions, including how AI can accelerate drug development, requirements for entering biopharmaceutical venture capital, how to cultivate technical insight and business acumen, and the challenges in translating scientific research into commercial products.
In his closing remarks, ZJE Vice Dean Ye Zhiguo reiterated ZJE’s mission to nurture “globally competitive leaders in health sciences.” He encouraged students to integrate their personal goals with national needs, and offered this message: in this challenging yet promising biopharmaceutical arena, one must maintain the long-term strategic focus of “ten years to sharpen a sword,” while developing an innovative mindset capable of cross-disciplinary integration. With a global perspective, students are called upon to connect science, capital, and clinical demand, bringing real-world impact to innovation and improving lives.
iZJEer Talk
“iZJEer Talk" is a forum series established in 2022 by ZJE, where renowned scholars and students engage in dialogue. Through sharing diverse knowledge and analyzing industry trends, the series offers forward-thinking insights and unique perspectives, supporting the research and career development of faculty and students and guiding them in their life aspirations. To date, 21 sessions have been successfully held.
(translated by Yitong Zhao)
