Guangzhou-based biotechnology firm Ribobio is teaming up with US multinational GE Healthcare, to research, develop and produce nucleic acid medicine in China.

Nucleic acid medicine is a next generation drug discovery technology with a completely different mechanism of action than traditional pharmaceutical products, targeting DNA and RNA which controls genetic information. 

A cooperation agreement was signed at the Canton Nucleic Acids Forum, a premier event in the field of nucleic acids research and development in China and beyond, hosted in Guangzhou on Nov 9.

According to the contract, GE Healthcare will provide Ribobio with its most advanced cell imaging analysis system, the In Cell Analyzer 6500 and oligonucleotide synthesizing system Oligo Process (1800 mmol), to help it build a leading nucleic acid medicine production platform.

Distinguished guests attending the agreement-signing ceremony included Zhang Biliang, chairman of Ribobio; Sophia Lim, Commercial Operations Director, Life Sciences Greater China at GE Healthcare; Tomas Lindahl, Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry in 2015 and Craig C. Mello, member of the National Academy of Sciences.

"Nucleic acid medicine is another innovative and promising field following antibody medicines – the drugs have great advantages over traditional medicine especially for monogenic diseases," Zhang said. He added the cooperation with GE Healthcare will help Ribobio build great platforms for clinical research of nucleic acid drugs and help bring the drugs to the market.

GE Healthcare signs a cooperation agreement with biological technology company Ribobio on Nov 9. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]