A new cell therapy R&D base in the Xiamen FTZ. [Photo provided to ftz.xm.gov.cn]
A new cell therapy R&D base, jointly established by the Administration of Xiamen Free Trade Zone and the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, was launched on July 14.
Four key platforms went live at the same time – covering cell resource storage, quality testing, smart end‑to‑end processing of stem cell‑derived small extracellular vesicles, and cross‑Strait technology integration. This comprehensive setup addresses every major link in the cell therapy value chain.
It is Xiamen's first integrated platform combining industry, academia, research and clinical medicine in this field, and its opening marks a move toward more standardized, internationally oriented development for the local cell therapy sector.
The signing ceremony of the cooperation agreements. [Photo provided to ftz.xm.gov.cn]
Six cooperation agreements were signed on site, securing the operational and industrial foundation for the new base. The hospital signed separate deals with five companies, focusing on iPSC technology, exosome platform development, cross‑Strait cell therapy integration, quality control systems, and spinal cord injury research. Together, these efforts cover the full spectrum from basic research to clinical application.
The base will work in tandem with the Comprehensive Bonded Zone to apply institutional innovations that facilitate industry growth. Bonded supervision rules allow companies to import R&D‑grade cell materials, reagents, and consumables, with duties deferred until consumption is verified. In addition, key R&D equipment enjoys tariff and import‑tax exemptions. These measures lower R&D expenditures and improve the connectivity of research resources between the bonded zone and the wider area.