BioOhio and the Beijing Pharma and Biotech Center (BPBC) finalized a partnership to cultivate collaborative bioscience business and research opportunities in Ohio and Northern China. Both groups also will encourage other organizations and companies in their areas to participate in partnership initiatives.

Forged by BioOhio President & CEO Tony Dennis and BPBC Deputy Director-General Zhang Zegong during the BIO Convention in Chicago May 5, the business development agreement was signed on June 23 in Beijing by BioOhio Vice President & COO John F. Lewis, Jr., and BPBC Director-General Lei Ting. The pact aims to promote the creation, growth and development of biomedical companies that will have major offices, R&D facilities, and significant employment in both Ohio and Beijing. Both groups also will strive to catalyze basic science, R&D and clinical collaborations between Ohio and Beijing institutions, researchers and companies.

“Both regions having robust and growing bioscience communities,” said Lewis. “So it is a perfect fit as bioscience business, research, and education become increasingly global.”

The signing was part of the Ohio Business Development Trip to China to explore new investment opportunities by Chinese companies in Ohio.

“China provides vast potential for attracting new investments that create good paying jobs for Ohioans,” Ohio Department of Development Director Lisa Patt-McDaniel said. “Partnerships such as these utilize international ties and are committed to further developing Ohio’s economic strengths.”

According to the Ohio Department of Development, foreign direct investment from China to the United States increased an average of 30 percent between 2004 and 2008 – one of the fastest growth rates in the world.

“Carrying out international exchanges with the top regions in the world to integrate resources is the most important way to achieve an industrial leap-forward and promote Beijing as a global innovation center in biotech and pharmaceuticals,” said Zhu Shilong, Deputy Director-General of the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission. “We attach great importance to this collaboration between Beijing and the State of Ohio.”

The agreement places special emphasis on medical device commercialization and cardiovascular innovation. BPBC will assist Ohio medical devices companies in exploring market opportunities in Beijing and in navigating regulatory and importing requirements. In the cardiovascular space, BioOhio and BPBC will facilitate introductions and subsequent information exchanges between The Cleveland Clinic and other Ohio centers of cardiovascular excellence with Beijing-based medical research institutions and hospitals.