The finals of the Biopharmaceutical and Health Industry Session of the 9th International Division of the China Shenzhen Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition kicked off Nov. 17 at the Guangming Science Mansion.

A total of 22 high-quality innovation projects from 11 global divisions gathered in Guangming, competing through a dual-format mechanism of online pitching and offline evaluation for coveted spots in the upcoming grand final. The event injected fresh vitality into Guangming’s fast-growing biopharmaceutical and health industry cluster.

This year’s competition covered multiple cutting-edge tracks, including innovative drug R&D, advanced medical devices, next-generation diagnostic technologies, and health management solutions. Teams from 11 overseas divisions across North America, Europe, and Asia delivered presentations in English, showcasing their technological breakthroughs and commercialization potential to an international panel of judges.

The event followed an “8+7” format — each project was given an eight-minute pitch followed by a seven-minute Q&A session. Judges evaluated entries based on technological innovation, industrial applicability, market prospects, and other dimensions, offering a comprehensive assessment of each project’s scientific rigor and growth potential.

After an intense contest, the project “Industrialization of Digital PCR Noninvasive Prenatal Testing for Fetal Chromosomal Aneuploidy” from the Germany division won first prize. According to competition rules, the top three teams qualified for the grand final of the 9th International Division, which will take place on Dec. 2 in Shenzhen.

A representative from the Shenzhen Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau noted that the international division of the competition has become a vital platform for Shenzhen to connect with global innovation resources. With the vision of “promoting international exchange and cooperation, and sharing innovation-driven opportunities,” this year’s competition features seven major industry tracks, aiming to build bridges between overseas innovators and the vast Chinese market — and to provide international entrepreneurs with broader opportunities to realize their dreams.

As the competition continues to grow in global reach, more overseas scientists, entrepreneurs, and project teams are discovering Guangming and engaging with its innovation ecosystem. Guangming District will continue leveraging Guangming Science City, strengthening industrial chains, and advancing an open, collaborative environment to support global innovation and accelerate high-level scientific breakthroughs.