In recent years, Guangzhou's biomedical industry has flourished, becoming one of the first national strategic emerging industry clusters. In 2023, the total output value of Guangzhou's biomedical and healthcare industry reached 117.8 billion RMB. It is the only strategic emerging industry cluster in Guangdong Province to receive commendation from the State Council for three consecutive years, and its industrial scale, number of enterprises, and innovation platforms rank among the "first tier" nationally.

In August 2024, the Guangzhou New Industrial Unicorn Enterprise Research Team visited Canton Biologics to conduct research and guidance.

Why has Canton Biologics become the No. 1 biologics CDMO in South China?

Starting in 2016 and taking just eight years, Guangzhou Canton Biologics Technology Co., Ltd. has achieved the status of South China's No. 1 – the largest large‑molecule biologic drug CDMO company in the region. With an eye on the future from the Greater Bay Area, Canton Biologics has deeply collaborated with the GBA, continuously maintaining an international perspective and building international platforms.

A CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization) typically provides pharmaceutical companies with contract‑based development, design, and optimization of pharmaceutical processes, and on that basis offers custom manufacturing services from kilogram to ton scale. Generally, CDMOs leverage their own technical advantages and production capabilities to take on process development and manufacturing functions, allowing pharmaceutical companies to focus more on drug R&D.

Canton Biologics has set the enhancement of its independent R&D capabilities as a development goal. In recent years, it has been recognized as a National "Little Giant" Enterprise (specialized and sophisticated), a Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biologic Drug R&D and Manufacturing Services, and one of Foshan's first pilot‑scale manufacturing platforms. Over eight years since its founding, Canton Biologics has grown into an innovative enterprise with strong capabilities in commercializing scientific and technological achievements.

Thanks to its strong technological innovation capabilities and commercial production strength, Canton Biologics has earned market recognition. Against the backdrop of short‑term pressure in China's innovative drug industry, the company has maintained upward momentum. Last September, Canton Biologics completed a Series C financing round of over 300 million RMB. In addition to new technology R&D, the funds will also be used to further advance the company's commercial production capacity expansion and strategic Layout for International Business Operations.

Dr. Shen Xiao, Founder and CEO of Canton Biologics

"I chose this direction because it is closely related to my academic background," Dr. Shen Xiao told the research team. He studied biotechnology as an undergraduate and specialized in pharmaceutical process development for biologics during his doctoral studies, and previously worked at a CDMO in Europe.

"On the other hand, it was based on the booming biopharmaceutical field in China at the time. Many biotech companies were being established, and I felt there was an urgent need for a company to provide them with services to help bring their products to the clinic and to market faster." At that time, there was no CDMO company in Guangzhou, and the founding of Canton Biologics achieved a breakthrough from nothing.

In Dr. Shen's view, because the biopharmaceutical industry is long‑cycle and highly investive, talent support is extremely important. "I think we have to find ways to attract more talent, from other provinces or even from abroad. At the same time, we must do our best to find better industrial opportunities or innovative projects in Hong Kong and Macau, and then translate them within the Greater Bay Area."

Looking ahead, Canton Biologics will continue to maintain close cooperation with the Greater Bay Area, bring in outstanding talent, deliver high‑quality projects, and contribute to innovation and development in the biotechnology field.