Xiongan plans genetic therapy and data center, will explore bioscience

The Xiongan New Area in North China’s Hebei Province plans to build a genetic data center, in an attempt to develop the area’s bioscience and biotechnology industries, the Hebei provincial government said.

In a document released by the provincial government on Monday to support the province’s bioengineering and pharmaceutical industry, companies are encouraged to undertake technical research into gene therapy.

The province supports the clinical application of gene sequencing technology, and the establishment of a genetic testing application demonstration center and public technology platform.

The province will allocate more money to support the study of bioscience, bioengineering and biomedical engineering in local universities as a way to cultivate talent, said the document.

Hebei is looking to the future because the gene-related industry is really new in China, Wang Jun, deputy director of the department of information at the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, told the Global Times.

“As ‘a millennium plan’ of our country, Xiongan must foster its own competitive industries… The move by Hebei is a way to look ahead, to explore and develop a promising industry at an advanced technological level.”

Wang noted that based on current conditions, the main focus in Xiongan is developing light industry as well as high-technology sector.

Being adjacent to Beijing and North China’s Tianjin Municipality, both of which have abundant technology resources, Xiongan can take advantage of the scientific research institutions, companies and talent in the two cities, he said.

“If Xiongan can aggregate the resources in the genetic area and grab a market share at an early stage under the guidance of policy, it will have a great opportunity to develop the gene-related industry well,” Wang said.