Chongqing - Imagine recovering from surgery or a serious injury. What if advanced medical materials could help you heal faster and better? In recent years, collagen-based medical devices have been transforming wound care and bone repair, offering patients more effective treatment options.
In 2023, China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) dynamically regulated collagen dressings and bone repair materials, driving advancements in the field. So far, 27 collagen-based medical devices have received approval for market entry.
Impressively, one-third of these innovative products come from Chongqing enterprises, said Yuan Lin, former director of the NMPA’s drug safety department, at the Chongqing Collagen Scientists Meeting on March 20.
Yuan Lin, former director of the drug safety department at the NMP, delivers a speech at the Chongqing Collagen Scientists Meeting. (Photo/Jiangbei District)
Chongqing's biomedical industry is a key component of the city's "33618" modern manufacturing cluster system, one of the six hundred-billion-yuan characteristic industrial clusters driving innovation.
By 2025, Chongqing’s biomedical sector is expected to surpass 200 billion yuan (about USD 27.7 billion), with Jiangbei District emerging as a key driver of this growth. The district has become a thriving hub for biopharmaceuticals, boasting a complete industrial chain that spans vaccines, genetic testing, and stem cell research.
At the conference, the Jiangbei District Government signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Jinyu Yanwu Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (Chongqing) and Jinbo Bio-Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, further cementing the city's position in the biotech field. Additionally, Jinyu Yanwu completed a partnership with Chongqing University to strengthen its research and development capabilities.
"After 17 years of research, we have advanced to producing more complex structures of recombinant humanized collagen, pushing the boundaries of global biomaterials development," explained Yang Xia, Chairwoman of Jinbo Bio-Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. The company's "Recombinant Type III Humanized Collagen Lyophilized Fiber," approved in 2021, was the first Class III medical device independently developed in China using new biomaterials.
The 164.88° flexible triple-helix is the key component that enables collagen to self-assemble into a fibrous network, unlocking the full functionality of Type III collagen. (Graphic/Jinbo Bio-Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd)
Yang also underscored the global significance of these innovations, noting that Jinbo has now completed nine atomic structure analyses of human collagen, making it the world leader in this area. These results have been verified and included in the Worldwide Protein Data Bank.
One of the key highlights of the conference was the discussion on Type A recombinant humanized collagen. Unlike traditional collagen, which serves primarily as a physical filler, this innovative technology promotes the generation of new cells by regulating the extracellular matrix. Its potential applications span cardiovascular disease, cancer prevention, joint repair, and anti-aging treatments.
Li Cui, general manager of Jinyu Yanwu Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (Chongqing), which works closely with Jinbo's technology, emphasized the wide-ranging applications of collagen in medical aesthetics, healthcare, and clinical medicine. Jinyu Yanwu is developing oral products, such as dental care and oral sprays, to treat gum inflammation and nasal spray products to alleviate rhinitis.
"Humanized collagen also has great applications for knee issues. In Chongqing, with its mountainous terrain, many people experience serious knee injuries from constant uphill and downhill activity. I look forward to the day when we can extend this technology to address such needs," Li said.
Looking ahead, Jinyu Yanwu is collaborating with Chongqing University to build a laboratory focusing on the research and iterative upgrading of collagen products, driving the industrialization of collagen technology and boosting the city's growth in this sector.