The semi-finals of the biomedicine track of the sixth Shanghai Global Talents Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition brought 333 projects from around the world to Hongqiao Qianwan in Minhang district on Aug 28-29.
The projects covered areas including biomedical technologies, medical devices, and biotechnology, with researchers, entrepreneurs, and multinational company founders presenting their innovations and exploring opportunities to develop their businesses in Minhang.
One project, developed by Zhang Zhonghai, a professor at East China Normal University, focuses on a wearable patch for continuous, non-invasive monitoring of homocysteine levels and early warning of heart attack risk. The project is currently undergoing animal testing.
For Gavenraj, founder and executive director of Nantong Medigene Biotechnology Co, the competition was also an opportunity to explore a return to Minhang, where he first came to work in China about a decade ago. He said the district's international environment, financial services, and strong biotechnology research base have increased his confidence in expanding his business there.
The competition was accompanied by investor matchmaking, closed-door discussions on biomedicine and brain-computer interfaces, and visits to research and medical facilities. Participants also received information on business support, financing, office space, talent programs, and housing.
Minhang's biomedicine industry was valued at 48.2 billion yuan ($7.18 billion) in 2025, with more than 1,000 related companies operating in the district. Minhang is also home to 30 public hospitals, including eight tertiary hospitals, providing research and clinical resources for the sector.
The competition provides a platform for global innovation projects to connect with Minhang's industrial and research resources and explore opportunities for local development.
