On July 12, an international clinical trials conference was held in Guangming, bringing together leading medical experts from around the world.
Hosted by the Guangdong Health Management Association and co-organized by the Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University along with the GBA International Clinical Trials Center of the Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research & Translation (SMART), the event also featured participation from the editorial team of The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), one of the world's most influential medical journals. The conference's central mission was clear: to hasten the transformation of new medical discoveries into practical treatments that save lives and benefit patients globally.
Addressing urgent health issues such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, strokes, and rare illnesses, the conference convened a distinguished panel of specialists, including editors-in-chief and renowned academicians from China and abroad. Discussions highlighted pioneering clinical trial designs aimed at speeding therapeutic breakthroughs and innovative gene therapies offering new hope for previously untreatable rare diseases. Throughout the event, the focus remained on tangible advancements that enhance treatment effectiveness and patient survival rates.
Tu Huan, vice president of the SMART and conference chair, emphasized the strategic importance of the initiative: “Aligned with Guangming Science City's strategic framework, we are integrating premier regional medical resources to develop an innovation ecosystem that connects basic research, technological breakthroughs, and clinical translation—ensuring patients are the ultimate beneficiaries.”
JAMA Editor-in-Chief Dr. Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo shared expert insights on improving the reach and relevance of clinical research worldwide. Her speech focused on selecting high-impact research topics, standardizing clinical trials, and crafting high-quality publications to enhance both scientific rigor and real-world applicability. Echoing the need for global cooperation, Dr. Yuan Jinqiu, deputy director of the Clinical Research Center at the Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, noted, “Strengthening international collaboration and promoting data sharing are key to rapidly boosting the global influence of China’s clinical research.”
The conference also emphasized tackling pressing public health concerns through innovations in precision medicine and minimally invasive surgeries targeting cancers such as gastric and pancreatic cancers—aiming to improve outcomes and quality of life. Discussions included optimizing emergency protocols for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular conditions where rapid intervention is critical, expanding early screening measures like low-dose CT scans for lung cancer, and exploring lifestyle-based interventions such as time-restricted eating to manage fatty liver disease. These approaches represent simpler, yet effective strategies to protect and enhance public health.