AsymBio Expands Biologics CDMO with New Shanghai R&D Center

Debashish Mukherjee — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:52:00 +0200

AsymBio, the biologics-focused Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) under the Asymchem Group (stock codes: 002821.SZ / 6821.HK), has announced the groundbreaking of a new research and development facility at its Fengxian campus in Shanghai. This expansion represents a major milestone in enhancing the company's biologics CDMO capabilities while further establishing the Fengxian site as a key center for research, development, and manufacturing.

Construction commenced in May 2026, with completion and operational launch planned for the second half of 2027. The eight-story building will occupy approximately 2,500 square meters of land and offer nearly 20,000 square meters of total floor space. Designed in accordance with green and low-carbon building principles, the facility will house capabilities for cell line development, upstream and downstream process development, conjugation process development, drug product development, and advanced analytical services.

Situated alongside AsymBio's existing clinical and commercial manufacturing facilities for antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) at the Fengxian campus, the new R&D center will serve as a dedicated innovation hub. Its close integration with manufacturing operations is expected to improve technology transfer, facilitate efficient scale-up, and accelerate the transition from development to commercial production.

The facility will also host the AccPCC (Accelerated PCC Platform), an integrated research and development framework designed to reduce the time required to advance drug candidates from lead identification to preclinical candidate (PCC) selection. Leveraging AI-enabled, end-to-end workflows, the platform brings together early-stage research, Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC), nonclinical evaluation, and early clinical translation. It offers comprehensive support in lead optimization, developability assessment, and customized early-stage CMC strategies for biotechnology companies worldwide.

Commenting on the initiative, AsymBio CEO Rui Yang emphasized that successful biologics development depends on early collaboration, integrated scientific and CMC decision-making, and consideration of manufacturability from the beginning of a project. By utilizing the combined R&D expertise available across the Asymchem Group, the AccPCC platform aims to enhance development efficiency, accelerate preclinical candidate selection, and shorten the journey from scientific discovery to clinical application.

The new Fengxian R&D building is expected to strengthen collaboration between research, process scale-up, and manufacturing, enabling clients to minimize development bottlenecks and manage complex biologics programs with greater efficiency and confidence.

Winn CIPP 2025: Empowering Future Clinical Researchers for Health Equity

Debashish Mukherjee — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 07:52:00 +0200

The Robert A. Winn Clinical Investigator Pathway Program (Winn CIPP) Launches Fourth Cohort
The Robert A. Winn Clinical Investigator Pathway Program (Winn CIPP), a national initiative led by VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, has officially commenced its fourth annual cohort, taking place in summer 2025. This year, 66 exceptional medical students from across the U.S. have begun externships at premier clinical research sites nationwide, united in their dedication to the Winn Awards’ mission of “Better Science For All.”

About the Program
Winn CIPP is a highly regarded six-week summer program designed to spark interest in community-focused clinical research among outstanding medical students. Participants gain hands-on experience at leading research institutions, engage in service-learning projects with tangible community impact, and build the foundational skills needed to become future clinical investigators.

The program concludes with a July Symposium in Seattle at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, featuring workshops, educational sessions, networking opportunities, and knowledge-sharing among peers and experts.

Part of a Larger Initiative
Winn CIPP is one component of the Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials Award Program, a national effort spearheaded by Dr. Robert A. Winn and supported by the Medical College of Virginia Foundation (MCV Foundation). Its mission is clear: increase diversity and participation in clinical trials to improve health outcomes and save more lives.

Built on the principle that all communities deserve access to clinical research and cutting-edge care, Winn CIPP equips future physicians with the tools and insight to ensure that clinical trials represent everyone and that treatments developed are safe, effective, and accessible to all patients.

Mentorship at Leading Institutions
Students in the program receive guidance from expert mentors at some of the most prestigious clinical and translational research centers in the country, including:

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
LSU Health Sciences Center
Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio
The Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai
NYU Langone Health Clinical Research Center
Rush University Heart Center
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
UCLA CTSI at the Lundquist Institute
UCLA CTSI (Westwood)
University of Arizona Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of Illinois Cancer Center
University of Louisville
VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Weill Cornell Clinical and Translational Science Center

Commitment and Collaboration
At the program’s virtual kickoff, Dr. Robert A. Winn emphasized the importance of community engagement in research—not just for broader applicability but also to ensure equitable access to innovative treatments.

“The world needs researchers committed to bringing new therapies to every community,” Dr. Winn stated. “That’s how we ensure treatments work safely for everyone.”

Representatives from major supporters, including the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation (founding partner), Gilead Sciences, and Amgen, echoed this sentiment, urging students to stay focused and inspired.

Keynote speaker Dr. Brian Rivers, Director of the Cancer Health Equity Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine, highlighted persistent gaps in healthcare and stressed the need for researcher-community partnerships to bridge these divides.

Catharine Grimes, President of the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, summarized the urgency:

“Ensuring clinical trials reflect the populations impacted by disease isn’t just good science—it’s about making sure progress benefits everyone.”

Leaders from Gilead Sciences and Amgen also reinforced the collaborative nature of the initiative, emphasizing partnerships, inclusivity, and the shared responsibility to drive change in clinical research.

Introducing the 2025 Winn CIPP Cohort
This year’s 66 awardees, representing medical schools across the nation, have been matched with program funders including Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, Gilead Sciences, and Amgen.

Poised to lead the future of clinical research, these students are working to ensure that tomorrow’s treatments are developed with—and for—the communities they aim to serve.

Daily CSR

AsymBio Expands Biologics CDMO with New Shanghai R&D Center

Winn CIPP 2025: Empowering Future Clinical Researchers for Health Equity