Participants attend the 4th China Pharma and Chemical Conference in Taizhou on Nov 4. [Photo/taizhou.com.cn]

The 4th China Pharmaceutical and Chemical Conference opened in Taizhou, East China's Zhejiang province, on Nov 4, drawing more than 300 participants to explore cutting-edge technologies and development strategies for the sector.

As the pharmaceutical chemical industry enters a pivotal period of technological innovation and industrial upgrade, the conference provided a platform for sharing new achievements and fostering collaboration across academia and business.

Taizhou has emerged as one of China's leading pharmaceutical chemical hubs, demonstrating significant progress in upgrading its industry toward higher-end, greener, and smarter production. The city remains the country's only export base for active chemical pharmaceutical ingredients and serves as a global "supermarket" for raw material sourcing. The industry's total output value in Taizhou has surpassed 65 billion yuan ($9.12 billion), with 21 listed pharmaceutical and chemical enterprises — accounting for 30 percent of Zhejiang's total in this field.

To foster a more resilient and competitive industrial ecosystem, Taizhou is deepening its strategic planning, expanding international cooperation, and promoting innovation to address critical technical challenges. The city remains committed to green and safe development, while encouraging cross-sector integration to drive new growth engines.

During the conference, Taizhou entrepreneurs engaged in in-depth discussions with academic teams on emerging fields such as microflow chemistry and cell-based drugs. Several cooperation intentions were formed, with experts conducting follow-up technical exchanges with local firms to support future partnerships.