Heze in Shandong provides free labs to medical research

Medicines, including Adriamycin and DaunorubicinHydrochloride, produced by DZD HezeBiotech Pharmaceutical Co Ltd are on display in a laboratory in Heze city, East China's Shandong province, Oct 28, 2014. [Dai Tian/chinadaily.com.cn]

A series of medical projects, including research on anticancer drugs, are using free laboratories offered by Heze authority of Shandong province, as the city incubates and fosters hi-tech industry, said an official of local research center on Tuesday.

Li Shixin, director of Southern Shandong Medical Institute, said the municipal government is spending about 10 million yuan equipping the medical laboratory and expect the project to be finished by next year.

"Setting up government-sponsored laboratories is to save time and money for the medical companies," said Li, adding that the process normally can take about three years for individual company.

The hi-tech incubation center in Heze, founded in 2012, has invested a total of 200 million yuan to set up seven laboratories where companies can research on virus, cancer and nano-antibody treatment.

"Companies can research and conduct quality inspections in the incubation center. Once projects are completed, they will move out and make rooms for new ones," said Li.

DZD Heze Biotech Pharmaceutical Co Ltd, incubated in the center, is developing anticancer drugs, and is able to produce eight types of the medicine, including Adriamycin and Daunorubicin Hydrochloride.

"The market price of Daunorubicin Hydrochloride can be as high as 20,000 yuan per gram," said a technician in the incubation center, adding that the medicine is used to treat breast cancer, leukemia and lymphoma.

"Bio-pharmaceuticals, chemical energy and mechanical engineering are among the leading industries we welcome," said Sun Aijun, mayor of Heze, on Tuesday, adding that the city strives to extend the value chain and innovation by connecting companies to college and other research institutions.