On November 23rd, the 12th National Final of China Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition in the field of Biopharmaceuticals was grandly inaugurated in Taizhou City. Attending the opening ceremony were Xu Yi, the responsible person from a directly affiliated institution under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Zhang Xinmin, the Director of China National Center for Biotech Development, Zhu Lifa, the Secretary of Taizhou Municipal Party Committee, alongside departmental heads from relevant units such as China National Center for Biotech Development, Taizhou Development and Reform Commission, Taizhou Science and Technology Bureau, and the Administrative Committee of Taizhou Pharmaceutical Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone.
Following intense competition, Westlake Pharmaceuticals emerged victorious among a multitude of contestants, clinching the distinction of Excellent Enterprise Award. The company's entry, which centered on the research and industrialization of the novel original drug Mprosevir, garnered significant acclaim and high praise from the judges present at the event.
Dr. Liang Dongdong, the Chief Operating Officer of Westlake Pharmaceuticals, represented the company in the competition. He presented to the panel of judges the company's pioneering product, Mprosevir – an original antiviral drug designed to combat coronavirus – elucidating its mechanism of action, unique product features, and the entire research and development journey.
Mprosevir is a non-covalent inhibitor featuring a novel structural design, specifically targeting and binding to the coronavirus' 3CL protease, thereby inhibiting viral replication. Currently, this medication has entered the concluding phase of its Phase III clinical trials. Westlake Pharmaceuticals has completed the entire process, from the initial discovery to clinical trials, for this drug. Through innovative research paradigms, Westlake Pharmaceuticals has achieved a remarkable acceleration in the R&D process that significantly surpasses conventional industry standards.
The theme of this edition of China Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition is "Innovation Leading the Way, Entrepreneurship Building Dreams," guided by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Education, the Central Cyberspace Administration, and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and co-organized by multiple entities including the Office of the Organizing Committee of China Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition and Beijing State-Owned SMEs Innovation and Development Foundation. This year's competition attracted a total of 5,937 biopharmaceutical companies nationwide, out of which 327 companies successfully advanced to the national finals following rigorous selection.
Over the years, the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition has played a proactive role in driving innovative elements towards enterprises, promoting deep integration between science and technology and finance, and optimizing the ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship. Since its inception 12 years ago, the competition has seen participation from over 320,000 enterprises and teams.
The honor received this time symbolizes industry experts' recognition of Westlake Pharmaceuticals' current development achievements and potential. Carrying this accolade, Westlake Pharmaceuticals will stay true to its original aspirations, forge ahead, focusing on the development of novel original drugs, contributing to China's scientific and technological advancements, and creating more possibilities for addressing major human diseases.