THE science building of Cheerland-Watson Center for Life Science and Technology, the first key project in the core area of Shenzhen International Bio-Valley in Baguang, Dapeng, was inaugurated Monday.

The building has a floor space of 25,397 square meters, and is equipped with a 4,000-square-meter cell lab.

The Cheerland-Watson Center for Life Science and Technology covers an area of 112,938 square meters and is budgeted to cost 2.8 billion yuan (US$395 million).

The center is located in the east end of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Science and Technology Corridor. It is a project led by American molecular biologist and geneticist James Watson, best known for playing a crucial role in the discovery of the molecular structure of DNA.

The center consists of three parts — a science research center, laboratories and a sci-tech achievements transformation center. Work on the sci-tech achievements transformation center will be completed within the year.

It is set to be a world-leading base for life science research, education, industrial transformation and a ballast stone for Shenzhen to innovate its precision medical system.

The Cheerland Precision BioMed Co. Ltd. has signed agreements with multiple bio- and medical enterprises to settle in the center. The center plans to bring in at least two Nobel laureates and 12 academic intellectuals from home and abroad.

The center for sci-tech achievements transformation, at its early stage, will introduce at least five science research projects to undergo transformation into commercial products.

In 2020, Fosun Life Science City will also be settled in Baguang, and work on the project will start in September.

The Baguang International Bio-Valley, a pioneering area for precision medicine, will focus on genomic sequencing and research on medical technologies, such as clinical uses for stem cells.

Shenzhen aims to build a bio-pharmacy industrial system bolstered by businesses and integrated with research institutes.

Earlier this year in March, the city unveiled a package of guidelines, including a master plan and three auxiliary plans, to guide the development of the city’s bio-pharmacy industry.

The city intends to accelerate construction of the Bio-pharmacy Science and Technology City in Pingshan District and the International Bio-Valley in Dapeng, putting emphasis on the research and manufacturing of high-end medical equipment and medicine.

All intents and purposes are to make the industry a new economic growth point for the city.

By 2025, bio-pharmacy industrial volume in the city is projected to reach 200 billion yuan, according to the plans.

(Han Ximin)