The semi-finals of the applied innovation track of the 2026 Biomanufacturing Competition were held in Shanghai, with 54 projects advancing to the national finals

China News Service, Shanghai, September 25 (Reporter Chen Jing) The 2026 Biomanufacturing Competition Application Innovation Track Semifinals (hereinafter referred to as: Shanghai Semifinals) was held in Fengxian, Shanghai on the 24th. After intense competition, 54 projects eventually advanced to the national finals.

This semi-final is jointly organized by the Department of Consumer Goods Industry of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Promotion Center of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and relevant local industry and information technology authorities. The 152 projects that advanced to the semi-finals launched road shows focusing on four directions: food and daily chemical functional raw materials, bio-based materials and green agriculture, localization of key bio-manufacturing equipment and reagents, and life and health (global health).

The semi-finals of the applied innovation track of the 2026 Biomanufacturing Competition were held in Shanghai on the 24th. (Photo courtesy of the Shanghai Semifinals Organizing Committee)

It is understood that the Shanghai semi-finals focus on product performance, process amplification, cost control and market prospects, and set up training courses on industrialization paths, intellectual property layout, financing strategies and business roadshows.

Biomanufacturing is a typically capital-intensive industry. Enterprises not only need to invest in research and development, but also undergo pilot testing, project scale-up, production line construction and market introduction. They often need continuous financing before the product can form a stable cash flow. The Shanghai semi-finals will simultaneously hold an industry-finance matchmaking meeting. Through institutional sharing, financial product promotion and small-scale exchanges, it will help financial institutions understand the technology stage and capital needs of enterprises, continue to track potential cooperation projects, and make the connection between the industrial chain, innovation chain and capital chain more concrete.

This Shanghai semi-finals has specially set up an industry chain matchmaking meeting to bring market verification to the competition venue in advance. Leading companies release procurement and technical research needs, innovative companies demonstrate technical capabilities and conduct group exchanges; for projects with a high degree of matching, technical verification, on-site inspections and cooperation negotiations will be promoted in the follow-up. It is understood that the docking work has been started before the meeting.

According to the event arrangement, after the semi-finals of the applied innovation track of the 2026 Biomanufacturing Competition, the semi-finals of the cutting-edge technology track will be held in Changping, Beijing, and then the competition will enter the final stage in Wuqing, Tianjin.