Hangzhou’s Qiantang (New) District is turning into a high‑tech powerhouse, thanks to a blend of artificial intelligence and bold manufacturing plans. At the heart of the boom is the Zhejiang University Smart Pharma Institute, which uses AI‑driven equipment to scan drug molecules at lightning speed. The result? Drug‑discovery cycles that once took over a decade are now cut by more than 40 %, and research budgets shrink by roughly a fifth. One standout success is Yuhong Medicine, a three‑year‑old biotech firm that, with the institute’s help, pushed a new vitiligo treatment into Phase II trials and saw its valuation jump from 100 million to nearly 800 million yuan. Beyond pharma, the district is shaking up traditional manufacturing. Companies like Depam Pump Technology are adopting AI‑guided production lines, enabling them to produce ultra‑large diaphragm pumps that challenge foreign monopolies and support high‑end aviation parts. Qiantang now hosts over 1,800 biopharma firms, 1,282 high‑tech enterprises, and dozens of “little giant” and “specialized, refined, and innovative” companies, positioning the area as a strategic gateway for modern, high‑quality industry. The district’s four‑pronged strategy—industry focus, strong innovation, open collaboration, and integrated prosperity—aims to keep Hangzhou at the forefront of the global manufacturing race.
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