Connecting China and Building Dreams for the Future

December 3rd, 2024 "Building Bridges" conference in the global life sciences sector was held at the J Hotel in Shanghai, organized by the Wallonia Export & Investment Agency Investment and Trade Agency and the Belgian Government. The conference aimed to explore and strengthen bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the fields of biopharmaceuticals and advanced therapies, while addressing the opportunities and challenges the industry faces amidst the current economic climate.

Dr. Zhang Dan, Co-founder & Co-chairman of Hillgene Biopharma, was invited to host a panel discussion on "Going Global, Challenges and Opportunities in Advanced Treatment." The session focused on the cutting-edge developments in cell therapy and the globalization trends of the industry, exploring international strategies for future treatment solutions and market opportunities.

Consul General of the Kingdom of Belgium in Shanghai, H.E. Pascal Buffin; Business Development & Technology Consul, Economic and Commercial Counsellor, Consulate General of Belgium, Mr. Didier Denayer; China Country President, UCB, Dr. Alexandre MOREAU; Area Manager China, Wallonia Export-Investment Agency, Mr. Lionel Kohn, attended the conference. Their participation further deepened Belgium-China cooperation in life sciences, adding an international perspective and influence to the event.

During the conference, Hillgene was honored with the “BUILDING BRIDGE AWARD 2024”, awarded by the Wallonia Export & Investment Agency Investment and Trade Agency and the Belgian Government. This prestigious award recognizes Hillgene's exceptional contribution to advancing Belgium-China collaboration in the Life Sciences Industry and supporting the global development of cell therapy technologies. The recognition serves not only as an acknowledgment of the company's ongoing efforts but also as a confirmation of its leadership in the global life sciences sector.

As a leading provider of comprehensive solutions for cell-based products, Hillgene has always been at the forefront of advancing international collaboration between China and Belgium in the life sciences field. The company’s headquarters in Suzhou, China, boasts a 10,000㎡ GMP-certified facility and R&D center, which provides cutting-edge research and manufacturing capabilities. To better serve its global clients, Hillgene also established a European headquarters in Liège, Wallonia, Belgium, enabling global supply of cell-based products. This Belgium-China cooperation event strengthened the two countries' exchanges in the life sciences, also injected powerful momentum into the internationalization process of Chinese cell therapy industry.

Hillgene havs built an express pathway for the development of cellular therapy products from discovery to delivery, by establishing cellular therapy product specific platforms for nucleic acid manufacturing, serum-free suspension culturing, completely closed process development for cellular therapy products, and QC testing technology. Our platforms have supported lots of partners in the successful development of several CAR-T, TCR-T, and stem cell-based products.

As a domestic CDMO enterprise to receive a Drug Manufacturing License under the MAH system for full-process outsourced production of cell-based medicines, Hillgene also became the first company to receive the Euro QP (Qualified Person) Compliance Declaration in 2024. Additionally, Hillgene’s integration with its import/export platform and FDA DMF-registered GMP-level plasmids (HiPlas™ LentiHelp Plasmids for NK/T) provides comprehensive support for global cell therapy cross-border technology transfer and supply.

As the global demand for cell therapy and advanced treatments continues to rise, domestic companies are poised to play an increasingly important role in the global life sciences industry. Hillgene remains committed to advancing the internationalization of Chinese cell therapy industry, helping more projects achieve key milestones and bringing more Domestic-developed cell therapies to the global market, contributing to the innovation and growth of the global life sciences sector.