Zhangjiang Pharma Valley. [Photo/WeChat ID: pdnews]

BioShanghai Week 2026, held Sept 17-20 in Zhangjiang Pharma Valley, showcased Shanghai's strengths in innovative drugs, medical devices and global biomedical partnerships.

The metropolis leads the country in approvals for innovative medical devices, biomedical financing and business development (BD) deals. 

From January to August, it recorded 37 biomedical BD deals, accounting for about one-third of the national total. Pudong recorded 34 outbound BD deals worth $16.1 billion from the start of the year to early September.

Artificial intelligence was a major focus of the conference. Insilico Medicine's Rentosertib, an AI-discovered and AI-designed drug candidate for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, has advanced to Phase III clinical trials. Discussions featuring industry leaders and Nobel laureate Michael Levitt explored AI's potential to accelerate drug discovery and improve treatment outcomes.

The conference also highlighted advances in brain-computer interfaces and gene therapy, reflecting Zhangjiang's growing innovation capabilities. Neuracle's implanted brain-computer interface system for hand movement compensation received approval as an invasive medical device, while Frontera Therapeutics' FT-003 received the US FDA's Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy designation.

With more than three decades of development, Zhangjiang Pharma Valley is positioning itself as a global biomedical innovation hub. 

Pudong also unveiled initiatives to promote future industries, strengthen collaboration between medical institutions and industry, and support the development of a globally connected biomedical ecosystem.