Uppsala BIO and Uppsala Innovation Centre, UIC, have recently signed a cooperation agreement with Shanghai Zhangjiang Biotech & Pharmaceutical Base Development Company (ZJBPB) for Shanghai Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Science Park, which among other things means supporting innovation companies within life science, in Uppsala and in Shanghai, to establish on the Chinese and European markets respectively.

The cooperation agreement with the technology park in Shanghai offers Uppsala's life science companies access to the technology park's infrastructure and advisers under the same conditions as those offered to the local Chinese companies.

- We know how valuable it is to have a reliable local partner who knows the local market and can open the right doors to introduce a new technology in a new market, says Erik Forsberg, Uppsala BIO. - We are therefore delighted that we now have this agreement with Shanghai, which we believe will save considerable time and money for Uppsala's life science companies.

- Zhangjiang Pharma Park hosts the largest R&D cluster of life sciences in China with a focus on innovative biotechs. The collaboration between Zhangjiang and Uppsala will help companies from both sides on a soft landing in each other’s market, says Wang Lan Zhong, General Manager of ZJBPB, but we will also be pleased to exchange information on other issues such as incubator management

Uppsala BIO and Uppsala Innovation Centre already have similar agreements with Minnesota, United States, known for its many successes in medical technology, and with Japan via Bio-Business Bridge.

- Many life science companies have over 90% of their market outside Sweden, and they must develop global business contacts from the very beginning, says Per Bengtsson, UIC's CEO. China is a market that is growing strongly, but that is also regarded as "difficult". - We believe that the ZJBPB and Shanghai Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Science Park could be the partners who will make the way to the Chinese market a little easier and a bit safer for Uppsala's life science companies, he continues.

In addition to support for the Uppsala-businesses looking to establish themselves in China, Uppsala offers to introduce life science companies from Shanghai who want to establish operations in Europe, and the parties intend to help each other with general information on each market.

- In Uppsala and Stockholm we have a unique collection of expertise on regulatory issues and market knowledge, which may be of great value to Chinese companies seeking new markets, comments Erik Forsberg. - We encourage Chinese firms to perceive our region as the entrance to Europe, and there is also a great chance that some of them choose to establish their European operations here.

- We are very much looking forward to having European companies establishing their business operations for the Chinese market here in Shanghai, says Wang Lan Zhong. – We are impressed with the expertise level of the Uppsala based companies that we have been presented with so far, and they seem well prepared for transition into the Chinese market, he continues.

Cooperation from Uppsala's side is to be handled by Kristin Hellman, project leader international businesses at Uppsala BIO and Daniel Walker, coordinating international liasons at Uppsala Innovation Centre, and from Shanghai’s side by Wang Lan Zhong, General Manager, ZJBPB.

For further information:
Associate professor Erik Forsberg, Managing Director Uppsala BIO, tel. + 46 70-350 41 43, erik.forsberg@uppsalabio.se

Ms Madeleine Neil, Director of Communications Uppsala BIO, tel. + 46 768-29 77 77, madeleine.neil@uppsalabio.se

About the agreement between the Uppsala BIO, UIC and Shanghai Zhangjiang Hi-tech Science Park

The agreement, a "memorandum of understanding", has been implemented with the assistance of Invest in Sweden Agency’s office in Shanghai. In total the agreement mentions five types of activities and benefits, namely, planning of business visits, joint seminars, educational exchanges, business advice and information.

About Uppsala Innovation Centre, UIC
Uppsala Innovation Centre, UIC, is a business incubator for growth companies in the Uppsala region, offering professional advice and support for successful business development. About 50 % of all projects and companies within UIC are active in life science.
www.uic.se

About Shanghai Zhangjiang Biotech & Pharmaceutical Base Development Company
Shanghai Zhangjiang Biotech and Pharmaceutical Base Development Company was founded in September 2001, serving as the developer, integrated service provider and industrial investor of Zhangjiang Life Science Cluster. It provides professional services, environment and facilities for enterprises and start-ups, implementing government strategies, promoting innovation and integration of various resources.

www.zjbpb.com