A view of Anji Development Zone in Huzhou, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/hz66.com]

The output value of the life sciences and healthcare industry in the Anji Development Zone in Huzhou, East China's Zhejiang province hit 11.19 billion yuan ($1.72 billion) in the first half of this year, up 51.7 percent year-on-year, official statistics show.

The zone is currently home to nearly 40 enterprises in this sector. Among them is Zhejiang Orient Gene Biotech Co Ltd. 

Founded in 2005, Orient Gene specializes in the R&D, production and sales of in vitro diagnostic products. Earlier this year, the company became the first company in Zhejiang to obtain approval to sell COVID-19 antigen self-test kits.

Zhou Yunhao, assistant general manager of Orient Gene, said the company has been expanding its industrial chain while tapping into new fields as it pursues the goal of becoming a leader in the life sciences and healthcare industry in northern Zhejiang. 

Anji recently launched a business promotional conference in Shanghai, during which deals for 22 investment projects that will be established in the county were signed. Nine of these projects with a combined investment value of more than 9 billion yuan are related to life sciences and healthcare.

Shanghai Biomed-union Co Ltd will relocate its two listed entities to the Anji Development Zone and build a research institute, a pharmaceutical plant and a technical service center in Anji over the next three years, said Wu Guoxiang, president of the company. 

In addition to investment introduction, talent recruitment has also played a part in the sector's development.

Official statistics show that more than 5,000 talents, including 20 high-profile ones, were introduced to the Anji Development Zone in the first half of this year.