The problem it solves: Biomedical startups face a daunting "valley of death" between breakthrough research and clinical deployment. High-end equipment can cost tens of millions of yuan, regulatory pathways are complex, and the gap between a scientific discovery and a marketable product is enormous. Hefei's approach offers a model for bridging this gap.
Shared infrastructure as a catalyst: The Institute of Health and Medicine operates an 18,000-square-meter shared laboratory complex integrating six major public technology platforms: small molecule drugs, macromolecular drugs, cell-based therapies, and instrument sharing. All facilities are open to both internal and external users. This "plug-and-play" model allows startups to conduct R&D without massive upfront capital expenditure. Since its launch, the platform has served over 160 universities, hospitals, research institutions, and biotech companies, generating over 40 million yuan in service revenue.
Case study: Magnetocardiography (MCG): One standout success is Mandi Medical Technology, a startup incubated within the institute. Their magnetocardiography device can detect cardiac magnetic field signals with exceptional sensitivity — the company's deputy general manager compares it to "hearing a single heartbeat in a stadium concert." The non-invasive, radiation-free device can identify early warning signs of coronary heart disease before traditional ECG or ultrasound can detect abnormalities. It is now in clinical use at more than ten major hospitals across China, including Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital and PLA General Hospital.
Ecosystem approach: The institute's deputy director Wang Yucai describes the strategy as creating "nurturing soil from 0 to 1" where scientists and entrepreneurs can achieve a "two-way奔赴" (mutual pursuit). The research park is organized into zones for basic science, public technology platforms, incubation and commercialization, and comprehensive support services, creating a complete innovation chain in one location.
City-level impact: Hefei has now gathered over 1,000 enterprises in its health industry chain. In 2025, the city's health-related industries generated 113.568 billion yuan in revenue and 22.32 billion yuan in output value, growing 5.8% year-on-year. The city issued 105 new drug approvals in 2025, an 11.7% increase. This growth is supported by policy innovation, including technology manager programs that station professionals at universities to identify commercializable research early, connecting lab成果 with municipal funds and application scenarios.
Knowledge takeaway: Hefei's model demonstrates that accelerating biomedical innovation requires more than funding — it requires systematic infrastructure that reduces barriers to entry, shared risk, and deliberate bridge-building between research institutions and the market. The approach is relevant for any region seeking to build a health-tech innovation cluster.