On August 3, 2023, the Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation (SMART) and the Shenzhen Bay Laboratory (SZBL) together kicked off the construction for the integrated permanent site in Guangming Science City, Shenzhen. The integrated construction of SMART and SZBL will serve a key role in Shenzhen’s development of a pilot demonstration area. It is also a milestone represents a new step forward for SMART and SZBL in carrying out their future vision. QIN Weizhong, Mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government, attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the construction.

The integrated permanent site of SMART and SZBL will be located in the northeast part of the Shenzhen Guangming Science City, a cluster for science and education. The construction project will be phased. The Phase I construction, when completed, will be home to some of the open technology platforms (e.g. lab animal center and structural biology analysis platform) and general research facilities (e.g. Institute for Infectious Diseases).

Shenzhen is fully implementing the decision and deployment of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council with the focus on building a pilot demonstration area and accelerating innovation-driven development. The establishment of SMART with a novel mechanism is part of the strategic move for Shenzhen to forge an open and synergistic medical science system that connects and coordinates the industry, academia, research and medical sectors, while advancing the modernization of the city’s governing system and capacity in medical science and technology. SZBL is a major innovative biomedical platform fully supported by Shenzhen in the implementation of building a pilot demonstration area of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Under its new development paradigm, basic research and translational research at SZBL can closely align and mutually reinforce to boost higher level growth of biomedical industry in Shenzhen and even the GHM Grater Bay Area. The integrated construction of SMART and SZBL will provide a stronger underpinning for the two institutes to further carry forward national blueprints and address strategic demands in sci-tech and innovation, economy and industry, and health and well-being.

At the groundbreaking ceremony, Nieng Yan, Director of SMART and SZBL, expressed confidence and expectation for the future: The two institutes will strive to become pacesetters in science, education and innovation, and create larger impacts in China and even beyond. YAO Liang, Director-general of the Bureau of Public Works of Shenzhen Municipality said that all the units involved will work in concerted efforts to make sure the construction project be delivered with high quality and in due course.

Shenzhen government officials including ZHENG Hongbo and GAO Shengyuan joined the event.