In Changchun Economic and Technological Development Zone (CETDZ), there is a pharmaceutical enterprise named Dovian Technology Innovation Group (hereinafter referred to as "Dovian"). Far from being a traditional pharmaceutical factory, it is more like a thriving "tropical rainforest" of innovation. The company has built a one-stop resource-sharing service platform that integrates resources by fostering synergy among "research, production, academia, commerce, government, and finance". Behind this "rainforest" stands CETDZ, a dedicated gardener fostering its growth. The zone provides customized plant decorations and supports equipment procurement under a lease-to-own model. It offers preferential plant rental policies and assists with pilot-scale production qualifications. CETDZ also helps enterprises obtain CMA and CNAS accreditation. These tailored policies help companies break through commercialization bottlenecks and achieve sustained, stable, and sound growth.

This is not merely the story of Dovian–it epitomizes CETDZ's broader efforts to steer the pharmaceutical and health industry toward new development pathways. On this fertile ground dedicated to cultivating new quality productive forces, the zone accelerates the transition of the pharmaceutical and health sector from "enterprise concentration" to "cluster-driven innovation" through building a robust industrial ecosystem, pooling key resources, and empowering innovation, enabling more innovation-driven enterprises like Dovian to take root and flourish.

One Platform, One "Rainforest"

At Dovian, ginseng, Ganoderma lucidum, and coffee are innovatively blended to produce trendy "herbal coffee". Traditional formulas such as Shenlu Pills and ready-to-eat ginseng products have been transformed into convenient modern formulations through cutting-edge technologies. Rather than replicating tradition, Dovian equips millennia-old wisdom with a technological engine, developing into a technology commercialization base for the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) health industry that integrates R&D, testing, pilot-scale production, incubation, and marketing.

With strong support from CETDZ, diverse innovation resources converge and thrive here, generating tangible results: more than 30 new products have been successfully commercialized; over 150 partners collaborate here; a 2,000-square-meter R&D center facilitate core technological breakthroughs in key areas; a 6,000-square-meter pilot-scale and manufacturing center (GMP) bridges the gap to commercialization; a 2,000-square-meter third-party testing center (CMA) ensures stringent quality control; and more than 180 patents, new varieties, and new products provide sustained momentum. An industrial ecosystem featuring deep integration of "government, industry, academia, research, application, and testing" has taken shape.

Looking ahead, Dovian will focus on frontier areas such as TCM digitalization and the traceability of authentic medicinal materials. By deepening ecosystem collaboration, it aims to build a nationally leading technology innovation platform and contribute to the standardization, branding, and internationalization of TCM, bringing the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine to a broader population. In particular, in developing an innovation and entrepreneurship incubator, Dovian will further leverage Jilin Province's distinctive resources, including ginseng, Ganoderma lucidum, and deer antler, while attracting excellent entrepreneurial teams to advance large-scale industrial development.

Solid Foundations, A Vibrant Industrial Cluster

Dovian's rapid growth is rooted in the fertile industrial foundation of CETDZ. The zone is home to a cluster of well-known enterprises, including Wutai Group, People Pharmaceutical, Lisheng Pharmaceutical, Dazheng Pharmaceutical, and Yingping Pharmaceutical. It has built a distinguished brand portfolio, represented by Wutai's "GanKang" series, People Pharmaceutical's pediatric cough-relieving granules, Lisheng Pharmaceutical's Ibuprofen products, and Yingping Pharmaceutical's cold-relieving and detoxifying granules. A total of 325 TCM products have earned strong market recognition, forming a solid core competitive advantage–a testament to CETDZ's years of dedicated efforts.

The zone holds 630 drug approval numbers, accounting for 20.51% of the city's total, and 875 medical device registration certificates. What's even more remarkable is its innovation potential: In 2025, out of the 691 new Class II medical devices approved in Jilin Province, 93 came from CETDZ. In the medical device sector, companies such as Zhongke Torch Resonance and Yisi Medical have made significant progress in securing registrations for Class III (high-end) medical devices, with products expected to go into production by 2026. These advancements mark a tangible step forward in CETDZ's strategic push for industrial upgrading.

A thriving industry is built upon a robust platform. CETDZ has built the Jilin Province Medical Device Industry Demonstration Park to high standards, spanning 620,000 square meters with ample space and complementary functional zones. Phase I of the park has already achieved a 78% occupancy rate, reflecting a vibrant business environment. Meanwhile, Phase II is entering a staged delivery process, capable of meeting the large-scale production needs of rapidly growing companies. Furthermore, the Mass Entrepreneurship and Innovation Headquarters Base is strategically positioned to attract headquarters, R&D centers, and high-end business projects. In addition, the Xinglong Comprehensive Bonded Zone and the Intelligent Manufacturing Industrial Park offer about 50,000 square meters of factory space specifically for the pharmaceutical and health industry. This space caters to the specific needs of enterprises at various stages of development, providing strong support for industrial clustering.

A Stronger Brand, A Brighter Future

Building on a solid industrial foundation, CETDZ has set its sights even further. A "Brand Enhancement Project" is already underway.

The zone is committed to building a tiered brand system to foster a "wild geese formation" effect. This involves establishing a graded cultivation framework to empower leading pharmaceutical enterprises to benchmark against international standards and strive for national accolades. Concurrently, it will provide robust support for high-quality medical device companies to develop "specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative" products, propelling them towards industry leadership. To bolster platform support, the zone is developing a comprehensive public service platform that spans the entire product lifecycle–from R&D and testing to registration and commercialization. This platform will deliver specialized services in intellectual property protection, inspection and testing, and clinical evaluation, thereby reducing institutional costs and expediting the transformation of innovation achievements into marketable products. It deepens the integration of "technology + culture" by encouraging enterprises to increase R&D investments, build core patent clusters, and strengthen technological foundations through evidence-based research. The initiative also explores traditional craftsmanship and cultural narratives, blending artisan spirit with modern communication to enhance brand emotional resonance and distinctiveness. Additionally, it promotes brand internationalization by leveraging the platform functions and policy advantages of the Xinglong Comprehensive Bonded Zone, supporting enterprises in expanding into international markets, engaging in cross-border R&D collaboration, and boosting the global recognition and competitiveness of local pharmaceutical and health brands. Moreover, it promotes innovative brands by building a precise matchmaking platform to organize industry-specific promotional events that showcase regional advantages. Matchmaking sessions are organized for leading brand enterprises to integrate resources across the industrial chain, driving industry integration and creating greater value through brand-driven activities.

To help enterprises scale up, CETDZ has rolled out targeted support programs. It is designed to reinforce policy support for existing enterprises, with a particular focus on helping them capitalize on the opportunities presented by major national strategies and security capacity building in key areas, as well as large-scale equipment renewals and trade-ins of consumer goods. By actively guiding enterprises to apply for national policy support, the zone aims to channel financial support directly into production expansion. The zone works to connect the industrial chain by proactively supporting enterprises in extending their operations both upstream and downstream, thereby consolidating their core competitiveness. It also builds platforms for internal circulation to facilitate supply-demand matchmaking within the zone, achieve a high level of local procurement, and foster a collaborative industrial ecosystem.

From the innovation of a single medicine to the upgrading of an entire industrial chain, from exploration in a laboratory to the flourishing of an industrial ecosystem, CETDZ is planting the seeds of innovation in the fertile soil for coordinated development, patiently awaiting the "forest" to grow. Where traditional wisdom meets modern technology, the story of industrial innovation continues to unfold, reaching an even brighter future.

Source: Changchun Daily Convergence Media  Editor: Liu Jiadi