Liverpool Health Partners welcomed a life science delegation from China’s Shandong Province as part of a trade visit to the city.
The delegation met representatives from LHP, The University of Liverpool, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Liverpool City Council to learn more about the research and innovation ecosystem and possibilities for future collaborations.
Professor Terry Jones, Executive Director for Research and Impact at Liverpool Health Partners and Director of Research and Innovation at University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, addressed the representatives from thirteen companies in the life sciences sector.
Prof Jones presented on the city’s connected health and life sciences ecosystem that is accelerating research, innovation and implementation to improve health, attract investment and drive inclusive economic growth.
Chris Goldring, Deputy Dean of the Institute for Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, also joined the session to discuss the therapeutics innovation frontier.
The University of Liverpool and Shandong First Medical University (SDFMU) have set up a Joint Research Lab on Adverse Drug Reactions, generating over £2 million in research funding. In addition, 30-50 medical students from SDFMU study at the University of Liverpool each year, starting in 2025.
Dr Xiaoli Meng, Lecturer in Pharmacology and Therapeutics at the University of Liverpool, presented on the work of the collaboration so far and the vision for the future.
The meeting was also attended by Matt Biagetti, Health and Life Sciences Cluster Manager, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Councillor Nick Small, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth.
In addition to the university partnership, Liverpool and Shandong share a number of important commercial links in port, logistics, sports and advanced manufacturing. The meeting was part of a wider senior government and business delegation from the province as Liverpool looks to strengthen international trade, investment and innovation partnerships.
Prof Jones said: “We were delighted to welcome the Shandong delegation and showcase the partnership approach to research and innovation in Liverpool which reinforces the city’s position as one of the UK’s leading health and life science ecosystems.
“Through Liverpool Health Partners, which offers a single point of contact for the whole system, we are creating a clearer route to attract inward investment for significant research and innovation to improve lives and help grow the economy.
“Shandong is one of China’s leading economic regions, and this visit will help build on existing relationships and create new opportunities for collaboration.”
Li Tao, Director-General of Shandong Provincial Medical Products Bureau, presented a gift to Prof Jones on behalf of the delegation and spoke about the importance of partnership, saying: “In Liverpool you say ‘You’ll never walk alone’. That should not just be the spirit of football but the true spirit of our collaboration.”