The Academy for Clinical Innovation and Translation of Shanghai (ACITS) was officially inaugurated on Sept 20, marking a significant push by the city to accelerate innovation in its burgeoning biopharmaceutical industry.

The institute, established by the Shanghai Hospital Development Center, aims to bridge the gap between clinical research and commercialization, fostering a robust pipeline of new medical technologies and treatments.

Positioned as a "one-stop" platform for clinical research transformation, ACITS will focus on three key areas: clinical research and cohort construction, technology transfer and investment, and artificial intelligence and data mining. The institute will leverage the combined strengths of Shanghai's municipal hospitals, providing comprehensive services ranging from protocol design and clinical operations to data analysis and intellectual property protection.

"Municipal hospitals in Shanghai are at the forefront of diagnosis and treatment for complex diseases, playing a critical role in medical innovation," said Wang Xingpeng, director of the Shanghai Hospital Development Center. He noted that while progress has been made in enhancing clinical research capabilities, challenges remain in translating promising research into tangible outcomes for patients.

ACITS will prioritize the incubation of "hard-tech" enterprises, fostering the development of high-potential medical innovations. The institute will also explore new pathways for intellectual property licensing and equity participation, enabling municipal hospitals to effectively commercialize their research discoveries, according to Wang.

By harnessing the power of big data and artificial intelligence, ACITS aims to drive the digital transformation of Shanghai's biopharmaceutical sector. Dedicated platforms will be developed for AI-powered medical research, risk analysis for health insurance, and real-world data mining, further solidifying Shanghai's position as a leader in health tech innovation.

The launch ceremony, held in the Zhangjiang High-Tech Park in Pudong New Area, was attended by key government officials, hospital leaders, and representatives from the biopharmaceutical industry.