On April 20th, 2025, marking the 16th anniversary of the Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance (SAIF) at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), the inaugural SAIF Distinguished Speaker Series was launched at the SAIF Greater Hongqiao Center. The event featured Academician Zhu Chen of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Tenured Professor at Ruijin Hospital affiliated with SJTU School of Medicine, who delivered the keynote address "Medical Innovation and Technology Transfer Pathways in the Context of Global Scientific Collaboration."
Distinguished attendees included Xinghao Jiang (Vice President of SJTU and Member of the CPC SJTU Standing Committee), Shijun Cheng (Executive Dean of SAIF and Chair Professor of Accounting), Xinan Zhang (Secretary of the CPC SAIF Committee), and Muzhi Wang (Deputy Secretary of the CPC SAIF Committee and Associate Dean).
Transformative Trends in Global Medical Innovation
Academician Chen outlined three pivotal developments reshaping the medical landscape worldwide. The first involves the integration of research paradigms, where traditional reductionist approaches now converge with systems theory methodologies, while curiosity-driven research increasingly synthesizes with targeted investigations to redefine scientific inquiry. The second centers on interdisciplinary convergence, particularly the intersection of artificial intelligence and biomedicine, which is accelerating medical progress and revolutionizing drug discovery processes. The third encompasses international collaboration, where cross-border cooperation has become essential for advancing basic medicine, public health initiatives, and diagnostic and therapeutic innovations.
Chen emphasized China's remarkable achievements through international partnerships, highlighting significant progress in academic exchanges, resource integration, talent development, and the global promotion of traditional Chinese medicine. These collaborative efforts have positioned China as a key player in the international medical research community.
Innovation Ecosystems and Technology Transfer
Technology transfer, diffusion, and practical application form the cornerstone of robust national innovation ecosystems. Academician Chen noted that China's biopharmaceutical industry expansion and increased healthcare investment demonstrate the effectiveness of strengthened innovation policies and enhanced industry-healthcare integration. For sustained advancement, he advocated for balanced public-private partnerships, long-term capital investment strategies, rigorous ethical standards, and comprehensive intellectual property frameworks.
Chen particularly emphasized the importance of implementing a "government-industry-academia-research-finance-application" model to effectively bridge the gap between innovation and commercialization. This integrated approach ensures that scientific discoveries translate into tangible benefits for society while maintaining sustainable development pathways.
Clinical Translation and Research Excellence
The program also featured Lin Cheng—SAIF post-doctoral alumnus, Ruijin Hospital researcher, and Doctoral Supervisor—who presented "Cell Science: From Discovery to Clinical Frontiers." His presentation highlighted transformative biomedical technologies and their clinical applications, demonstrating the practical implementation of cutting-edge research in healthcare settings.
The event concluded with dynamic interactive discussions on clinical translation methodologies and collaborative frameworks. More than 200 participants attended, including SAIF students and faculty, SJTU researchers, and industry representatives, fostering meaningful cross-sector dialogue and establishing valuable connections for future collaboration.
About the SAIF Distinguished Speaker Series
Established in 2025 as a flagship academic initiative, the SAIF Distinguished Speaker Series builds upon the distinguished legacy of the SAIF-CAFR Distinguished Speaker Series. This premier platform invites global thought leaders and industry pioneers to share expertise on economic trends, technological innovation, and industrial transformation. The series seeks to enhance strategic decision-making capabilities and promote high-quality development through interdisciplinary discourse and knowledge exchange, positioning SAIF as a leading forum for academic and industry dialogue in the Asia-Pacific region.