Thermo Fisher Scientific Collaborates with Chinese Hospital on Precision Medicine Platform

In another sign of the continuing globalization of laboratory services and the allure of the world’s most populous nation, Massachusetts-based Thermo Fisher Scientific has entered into a collaboration with the West China Hospital of Sichuan University to develop a precision medicine testing platform.

Financial terms and other specifics of the deal were not disclosed, but the parties said the intent was to make West China Hospital “a leading global molecular diagnosis center.” The deal was announced at the China-U.S. High-Level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange (CPE) in early June.

“The collaboration between Thermo Fisher and West China Hospital is a perfect example of America’s efforts to strengthen ties with China in science, technology and health. The agreement reinforces the spirit and goals of the CPE,” said Richard Stengel, U.S. undersecretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs, in a statement.

West China Hospital is the largest acute care facility in China, with 4,300 beds— more than double the size of the largest hospitals in the U.S. It is also the nexus for specialty care for Southwestern China.

“We are exploring opportunities to collaborate with renowned, industry-leading international companies to harness and capitalize on our strength in pathology,” said Li Weimin, president of West China Hospital. “With our partners at Thermo Fisher, we are working to enhance the quality of pathological research and clinical diagnosis. We are also exploring an opportunity to extend our partnership in Western China by accelerating the development of precise pathological diagnoses that will ultimately help improve people’s lives.”

China has become a big target for both laboratories in the U.S. and in other nations to pursue new business. Earlier this year, WuXi NextCODE, the Icelandic and Chinese laboratory concern, became one of the first companies to obtain a certification in China from CLIA, the College of American Pathologists and California for its laboratory in Shanghai, China’s most populous city. That is permitting the company to perform molecular testing on specimens gathered in California.