Shandong Proton Center:

Over 1,000 Patients Treated; Heavy Ion and Neutron Projects in Accelerated Construction
— Mu Xiangkui, Director of the Heavy Ion and Neutron Project Office, Shandong Cancer Hospital

Since its clinical launch in November 2023, the Shandong Proton Clinical Research Center (Shandong Proton Center) has treated over 1,000 patients across various cancer types, including head and neck, thoracic, abdominal, and pediatric tumors. All treatments were successful without severe adverse reactions, and most patients experienced symptom relief or complete remission, highlighting the advanced nature and effectiveness of proton therapy.

Proton therapy, recognized as the world’s most advanced and precise radiation therapy technology, is lauded as a “cancer-fighting weapon.” Unlike traditional radiotherapy, proton therapy utilizes the unique energy deposition properties of proton beams to form a Bragg peak, enabling precise targeting of tumors while minimizing damage to healthy tissues. This results in superior therapeutic outcomes, fewer side effects, improved cure rates, and enhanced quality of life for cancer patients.

The Shandong Proton Center introduced China’s first proton therapy system featuring superconducting cyclotron technology and a 360-degree rotating gantry, enabling multi-angle treatment. This innovation ensures effective treatment outcomes while significantly reducing patient treatment time.

In addition to the proton therapy system, the center is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and a professional medical team. It houses the Varian ProBeam proton therapy system, three rotating gantry treatment rooms, one fixed beam treatment room, and advanced diagnostic equipment such as PET-CT and PET-MRI, providing robust support for precision treatment. Moreover, the center established a proton multidisciplinary team (MDT) led by Academician Yu Jinming. The team consists of radiation oncologists, physicists, and technicians, with over 100% holding doctoral degrees and overseas study experience. Through comprehensive case discussions, the MDT thoroughly evaluates patients’ conditions, considers their medical histories, and carefully selects appropriate candidates for proton therapy, ensuring maximum patient benefit.

The second phase of the Shandong Proton Center—the Heavy Ion and Neutron Project—has completed the construction of its inpatient area, while the equipment area is progressing rapidly. The project has received approval for the heavy-ion radiotherapy system and is on track to have the fixed-beam treatment room operational for clinical use by December 2026. The rotating-beam treatment room is expected to be ready for clinical application by 2028.

Upon completion, the Shandong Cancer Hospital will become the only medical facility in China equipped with both proton and heavy-ion therapy systems. It aims to establish a world-class, comprehensive cancer radiotherapy technology system. Leveraging the "three pillars" of proton, heavy-ion, and neutron therapies, the hospital aspires to achieve international leadership in radiotherapy within five years.

While continuously advancing radiotherapy technology and medical standards to bring hope to more cancer patients, the Shandong Proton Center, under the guidance of Academician Yu Jinming, has been actively introducing domestic equipment to accelerate the process of domestic substitution. In particular, for the phase two trials of the heavy-ion and boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) projects, the center has opted to collaborate with domestic teams to promote scientific research and industrial implementation. The latest adaptive radiotherapy equipment, the VeloX CT-linear accelerator, is set for industrial production in Jinan. Additionally, the first BNCT device has been installed, and the self-developed BNC main equipment will soon enter mass production. Talks are also underway for the mass production of boron drugs. These efforts are poised to inject new vitality into the development of domestic medical equipment.

Haiping International Medical Device Industrial Park (Jinan): Building a New Engine for a Healthy City Promoting the Development of Medical Device Industry Clusters

— Lu Haitao, General Manager of Shandong Haiping Medical Industry Development Co., Ltd.

Haiping International Medical Device Industrial Park (Jinan) (hereinafter referred to as “Haiping Jinan Park”), as the core component of the Life Science and Technology Innovation Industry Zone at Jinan Medical Center, is gradually becoming a new engine driving the development of the medical device industry in Jinan and even in Shandong Province.

Haiping Jinan Park is strategically located, adjacent to the Ecological Rehabilitation and Wellness Demonstration Zone and Medical Silicon Valley, with convenient transportation that forms a 15-minute economic circle. The park covers an area of 193 acres, with a building area of 404,000 square meters, and is being constructed in three phases. Currently, the first phase of the project has been completed and is in operation; the second phase is under construction and is expected to be completed by the end of this year; the third phase has also entered the planning stage.

Since its planning, Haiping Jinan Park has been entrusted with the mission of building a medical device industry cluster. The park is equipped with manufacturing plants, contract production platforms, R&D laboratories, logistics warehouses, office buildings, business centers, and other supporting facilities, providing one-stop services for enterprises. With the completion and operation of the first phase and the accelerated progress of the second phase, Haiping Jinan Park is gradually attracting mid-to-high-end medical device manufacturers and related companies from the industry chain. It is expected that once fully completed, the park will house 300 related enterprises and achieve an annual output value of over 10 billion yuan.

Currently, Haiping Jinan Park has introduced a “2+7” one-stop service model, offering comprehensive support to enterprises in market access, investment and financing, human resources, technology services, supply chain, international exchange, and property management, to meet their needs at different stages of development.

Recently, the Shandong Provincial Medical Products Administration issued the “Sixteen Measures to Promote the High-Quality Development of the Medical Device Industry”, providing strong policy support for the development of Haiping Jinan Park. The implementation of these measures will further enhance the innovation capability and market competitiveness of the medical device industry, bringing new momentum to the park’s sustained growth.

Guided by the development philosophy of “innovation, coordination, green, openness, and sharing”, Haiping Jinan Park is dedicated to creating a world-class medical device industrial park in China. The park will actively promote industry-university-research cooperation, accelerate the application of new medical device technologies and products, and continue to uphold the principles of "service first, win-win cooperation," collaborating with various partners to jointly promote the prosperous development of the medical and health industry.

Jinan Star Future Venture Fund: Leading a New Chapter in Medical Innovation Investment
—Managed by Ni Pengzun, Shanghai Fosun Health Capital

Jinan Star Future Venture Fund, jointly initiated by the Jinan Municipal Finance Investment Fund Holding Group, the Jinan Medical Center Management Committee, Huaiyin District, and Fosun Pharma, is managed by Fosun Health Capital. With a successful first-round fundraising of 500 million yuan, this fund aims to provide strong financial support to early- and mid-stage life sciences innovation companies. It also leverages the deep industry background and global investment network of Fosun Pharma, offering these companies the most comprehensive industry empowerment and in-depth understanding.

Fosun Pharma is a global healthcare group rooted in China, with rich experience and outstanding achievements in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, medical diagnostics, and healthcare services. Fosun Pharma's innovative products are continuously entering the market, and its internationalization process is accelerating, contributing significantly to the global healthcare industry.

The Jinan Star Future Venture Fund leverages the industrial chain background and global investment network of Fosun Pharma to deeply explore and nurture high-quality innovative enterprises in the medical and healthcare sectors. The fund focuses not only on the technological innovation and market potential of companies but also on their global development potential. It is committed to providing comprehensive, full-lifecycle empowerment support to these enterprises, working together to promote the sustainable, high-quality development of the medical and healthcare industry.

Fosun Health Capital, the fund’s manager, specializes in large-scale investments in the health industry. It has extensive experience and strong investment capabilities. With a management scale of around 11 billion yuan, Fosun Health Capital actively seeks out and invests in cutting-edge sectors such as biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, and life sciences, with its portfolio spanning multiple areas, including biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, life sciences, and health consumption. The company has achieved notable results across its investments.

The Jinan Star Future Venture Fund has a rigorous investment decision-making mechanism and a comprehensive investment support system. The fund solidifies its risk assessment process through various methods, including technical due diligence, management interviews, and financial, tax, and legal due diligence, while ensuring compliance with investment projects. Additionally, the fund invites industry experts to participate in investment advice and post-investment management, offering full-spectrum support and services to portfolio companies, including strategic planning, business structure optimization, talent recruitment, and investment in research and development.

Looking ahead, the Jinan Star Future Venture Fund will actively fulfill its social responsibility by helping the Jinan Medical Center build a globally leading medical and healthcare industry hub. The fund will also adhere to its core value investment philosophy, upholding the “investment + industry” dual-driver strategy, providing full-lifecycle empowerment support to high-quality innovative enterprises in the global medical and healthcare field, and jointly promoting the thriving development of the medical and healthcare industry.