On the morning of November 5, 2021,the opening ceremony for the “Biomedical Industry CTO Executive Education and Innovation Strategy Demonstration Base” and Seminar on the Cultivation of Leader Talents in Cell and Gene Therapy Technology hosted by Shanghai International School of Chief Technology Officer (hereinafter referred to as “CTO School”) of East China Normal University, Shanghai BRL Medicine Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “BRL Medicine”), the Asia Europe Business School of East China Normal University and East China Normal University-University of Haifa Joint Translational Science and Technology Research Institute (hereinafter referred to as “Joint Research Institute”) was successfully held in Building A2, Zizhu International Education Park, Minhang District, Shanghai.

Prof. Ming-Yao Liu, Chairman of BRL Medicine, Zai-Xi Xi, CEO of BRL Medicine, and Prof. Jia-Xun He, Executive Director of CTO Academy and Chinese Dean of Asia-Europe Business School, delivered speeches for the event.

▲ Professor He Jiaxun delivered a speech

During the meeting, Professor He delivered a speech as the host of the meeting. He said, firstly, CTO Academy and BRL Medicine share common genes and cultural lineage, both of them originated from East China Normal University, and both of them have the academic heritage of professor-led research teams, which laid the foundation for the establishment of a biomedical industry-education integration base. CTO Academy has made a breakthrough from 0 to 1 in biomedical executive education, while BRL Medicine has made many major breakthroughs in biomedical technology with the mission of "leading innovation with gene editing technology". Therefore, we hope that both parties will establish close cooperation based on common goals and visions, and make innovative contributions to the development of education innovation and technology industry in Shanghai and even in China.

▲ Professor Liu Mingyao delivered a speech

In response, Prof. Ming-Yao Liu, Chairman of BRL Medicine, delivered a speech. Prof. Liu said that BRL Medicine started on the platform of the Joint Institute of Translational Science and Technology, and has always hoped to truly transform technology into application, solve patients' suffering, and face people's life and health for the benefit of society. In this case, the in-depth cooperation with CTO Academy to build an educational demonstration base, CTO Academy hopes to cultivate talents in the field of cell and gene therapy with the power of enterprises and innovative teaching mode, so as to provide talents for industry and help industry development, which is exactly in line with the corporate vision of BRL Medicine. From the perspective of enterprises, especially as a biomedical company, the innovative teaching-industry integration model that combines technology and management can accelerate the empowerment of products through the empowerment of technical talents, which can better drive the development of enterprises. This is undoubtedly a strategic cooperation consensus based on the concept of 'complementary advantages and win-win cooperation'.

▲ Mr. Xi delivered a speech

Mr. Xi Zaixi, CEO of BRL Medicine, delivered a speech at the conference. Mr. Xi said that both BRL Medicine and CTO Academy have been doing innovation from 0 to 1, and both sides have a common philosophy. For this cooperation, BRL Medicine can provide important experience and platform for the early version of technology commercialization. At the same time, we hope that both parties will take this opportunity to combine technology and business and academia to establish innovative strategic cooperation and contribute to talent training, technology transformation and economic and social development.

▲ Representatives from both sides signed the strategic cooperation agreement

▲ Grand Opening Ceremony

▲ Industry Mentor Appointment Ceremony

On the morning of the 5th, the signing of the school-enterprise strategic cooperation agreement and the awarding ceremony and the appointment ceremony of industrial mentors were successfully held in the hall of the A2 building of Zizhu International Education Park.

In addition, Mr. Xi Zaixi, CEO of BRL Medicine, gave a speech on the theme of "A firm practitioner in the scenario of universal cancer cure". Through a comprehensive introduction of the development of BRL Medicine and the development of cellular gene therapy (CGT) technology and market scale, he pointed out that cellular and gene therapy is a major development trend in the future, but the corresponding CGT industry will also face a shortage of talents and other problems.

▲ Mr. Xi's keynote speech

▲ The senior management of Banyao Biotechnology and the faculty team of the college had a lively discussion on talent cultivation

Finally, a seminar on talent development for cell and gene therapy technology leaders was held. Senior leaders, including Xi Zaixi, CEO and Gao Yang, Chief Strategy Officer of cellular BRL Medicine's core management team, Dean He Jiaxun, Executive Dean of CTO Academy of East China Normal University, Professor Wang Zhenghuan, Vice Dean, and Xuehua Wang, Associate Professor of Asia-Europe Business School of East China Normal University, and other university leaders and guests, held a lively discussion on the theme of industry-education integration to cultivate technical management talents in biomedical field.

During the seminar, BRL Medicine executives talked about the pain points and technical management talent needs of the company. Xuehua Wang, a faculty member of ASEM, and others put forward the ideas and needs of the college in terms of talent training and research cooperation.

In addition, Prof. He Jiaxun introduced the special cultivation mode of CTO Academy in the future, detailing some specific practices of the Academy to promote education and teaching reform with "innovative" thinking from the aspects of organization, talent cultivation, curriculum system and faculty strength. Dr. Gao Yang, as the chief strategy officer of BRL Medicine, also elaborated his ideas on how to implement the career development of technical talents and more possibilities of two-way cooperation between universities and enterprises in the future.

"I hope that through this demonstration base of CTO executive education and innovation strategy for the biopharmaceutical industry, we can promote the rapid development of China's biopharmaceutical industry and contribute to human health!"