Concora Valley （pictured）, in Shanghai’s Zhangjiang Science City, is a life science hub driving biotech innovation.
A NEW KIND OF GATEWAY TO CHINA’S BIOMEDICAL BOOM
China’s biotech sector is rapidly advancing, fuelled by an increasing demand for healthcare, a growing scientific talent pool, and a dynamic venture capital system. The nation is becoming an increasingly important strategic centre for global life science, particularly in innovative drug discovery and novel therapies.
Among China’s major cities, Shanghai is swiftly emerging as a global biotech hub, led by Zhangjiang Science City in the city’s Pudong region — known as ‘China’s Pharma Valley’. Covering nearly 95 square kilometres, it hosts the local operations of more than 1,700 biomedical companies, many clustered in an ‘International Medical Zone’, which offers access to a large patient base, accelerated clinical trials, and top-tier global research talent.
While these benefits are significant, efficiently integrating talent and resources remains a challenge — especially for global biomedical companies. “The hurdles we have seen include infrastructure support, identifying talent pools, ensuring R&D operations to meet global standards, navigating complex regulatory requirements, and adapting to the local ecosystem,” says Donald Gao, a life science entrepreneur and co-founder of Concora Group.
In 2021, seeking to better connect the biotech ecosystems of China and the wider world, Gao and his partners established Concora Group, which they describe as a life science innovation and infrastructure ‘ecosystem’. It has two flagship campuses located in the heart of the Zhangjiang Science City: Concora Place is an R&D-focused complex, while Concora Valley is a larger, full-service campus.
FROM PLACE TO VALLEY
“For global biomedicine companies setting up, the biggest challenge is often finding strong, integrated support to get through the tough early stages, and managing resources effectively once growth takes off,” explains Gao.
The EverLab Innovation Center Laboratory was launched in 2024 at Concora Place to support early-stage drug discovery and innovative research. The collaborative lab spaces foster an open, innovative, and interactive ecosystem, and can be ready to move into within a single day. Units range from 100 to 300 square metres, with scalable options up to 3,000 square metres. Each lab is equipped with first-tier facilities and advanced instruments, professional supply chain support and on-site waste management to support high-level research.
“As companies scale into the clinical phase, they can move into Concora Valley,” he continues. The expansive campus spans nearly 72,000 square metres, comprising 18 standalone buildings and more than 3,000 square metres of pilot labs. It’s designed to support the full R&D lifecycle — from early-stage discovery to small-scale manufacturing production — with services covering planning, investment facilitation, administrative support and industry collaboration.
CUSTOMIZED SERVICES
One company that has thrived at Concora Place is Structure Therapeutics, a multinational clinical-stage biopharmaceutical firm with offices in South San Francisco and Shanghai.
In 2019, it established Shanghai Structure at Zhangjiang Science Park, and expanded its R&D efforts in 2023 through a partnership with EverLab.
“We appreciate the vibrant Zhangjiang scientific community, and Concora provides not only premium lab space, but also an open, collaborative innovation ecosystem,” says Xichen Lin, chief scientific officer at Structure Therapeutics and general manager of its Shanghai site.
In 2025, Lin and his team further expanded their presence at Concora Place. At that time, the company was looking to consolidate its R&D teams while meeting high construction standards and a tight timeline.
In response, Concora’s team offered customized expansion services, timely technical support and facility management.
The company is now tapping into the network of peers and experts in Concora Place to strengthen its expertise in China and forge partnerships that will accelerate the development of its pipeline.
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