A delegation from Hangzhou visits Rome and Milan to promote opportunities in the biopharmaceutical industry. [Photo/WeChat account: hzstcj]

A delegation from Hangzhou — including the city's investment promotion bureau, Xiaoshan economic development zone, Jiande commerce bureau, and Winhealth Pharma — visited Rome and Milan from May 20 to 23 to promote opportunities in the biopharmaceutical industry.

Themed "China (Hangzhou)–Italy: New Opportunities for Cooperation in the Pharmaceutical Industry", the events drew over 50 top Italian pharmaceutical firms and institutions, including Menarini, Farmalabor, and the Italian Pharmaceutical Industry Association.

The visit marked a new chapter in deepening cooperation between China and Italy, who recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of their comprehensive strategic partnership. Italy, aiming to boost pharmaceutical autonomy, sees China as a vital partner, while Hangzhou's biopharma ecosystem — home to global giants like Sanofi and Pfizer's first global digital innovation center — offers fertile ground for collaboration.

Hangzhou signed several strategic cooperation agreements during the trip, including with the Livolsi Group to build a two-way service platform for industrial and innovation cooperation in biopharma, manufacturing, and design. The move signals a shift from one-off exchanges to long-term, mechanism-based collaboration.

With innovation, talent, and digital infrastructure converging, Hangzhou's biopharma industry is not only attracting global players — it's becoming a launchpad for the future.

Representatives from Hangzhou and Italy share ideas on the pharmaceutical industry. [Photo/WeChat account: hzstcj]