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【Like】The pandemic can’t stop innovators from moving forward.

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Time：2020-02-22

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, products developed by Shijiazhuang No.4 Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., such as Abidor Hydrochloride Capsules and Moxifloxacin Hydrochloride Sodium Injection, have played a positive role in epidemic prevention and control.

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, products developed by Shijiazhuang No.4 Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.—such as Abidor Hydrochloride Capsules and Moxifloxacin Hydrochloride Sodium Injection—have played a positive role in epidemic prevention and control. On February 6, the company also received the production approval certificate for Doxofylline Injection (10 ml: 0.1 g). These encouraging news items have greatly inspired all employees of Shijiazhuang No.4 Pharmaceutical, especially the R&D personnel, further strengthening their confidence in carrying out current R&D efforts and overcoming the pandemic.

Behind every innovative achievement lies the painstaking dedication and relentless efforts of R&D personnel who have worked day and night. After the Spring Festival, the Shi Si Pharmaceutical Research Institute reorganized and adjusted its ongoing projects, giving priority to drug development initiatives related to epidemic prevention and control. “Now, everyone is working nearly ten hours a day on average, yet even that still feels insufficient. We’re in a ‘race against time,’ and every minute counts. This isn’t just a necessity for fighting the epidemic—it’s also a crucial requirement for the company’s long-term development.”

Faced with the pandemic, the R&D staff at Shisi Pharmaceutical have braved all difficulties and are working tirelessly to advance their research and development efforts...

▲ Analyst, Innovative Formulation Department: Tang Xiaona

On the morning of January 29—the first day of the Lunar New Year—Tang Xiaona, an analyst in the innovative formulation department, headed to the company early, even though her 4-year-old child was still fast asleep. Known for her meticulous and organized approach, Tang Xiaona coordinates both large and small tasks related to innovative projects. “Right now, we’re working on three innovative drug projects, two of which are in preclinical research,” she said. “Preparatory work needs to be done well in advance, so we have to schedule the specific tasks for each day as early as possible.” Tang Xiaona added, “Our research institute started working very early this year, because many of our colleagues don’t live in the city. To stay on track with the project schedule, many of them arrived at the office well before the official start time.”

Innovative research is a painstaking endeavor. Exploring, optimizing, validating, and confirming analytical methods constitute the core of Tang Xiaona’s work. “Each analytical method requires extensive literature review and meticulous adaptation based on the characteristics of the compound and formulation. The process of method optimization runs throughout the entire research journey, making the R&D process incredibly challenging.”

“The development cycle of new drugs is long, so it’s essential to draw up a detailed project plan in advance, with strict control over every single milestone and a meticulously designed experimental protocol for each and every test item—only then can we ensure that the implementation process is both effective and smooth.” “Analysis is the eyes of process engineers; only when analytical methods are accurate and reliable can they provide better guidance and support for screening formulation processes,” she concluded.

▲ Zhang Yuling, Analyst in the Innovative Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Division

At night, the lights at the Shisi Pharmaceutical Research Institute often stay on late into the evening. On the evening of February 20, shortly after 8 p.m., in the small-molecule research lab of the Innovative Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Department, analyst Zhang Yuling was putting the finishing touches on that day’s work. “Today, I’ve been busy providing experimental samples for the Pharmacology Department.” Working overtime has become commonplace for Zhang Yuling and her colleagues. She said, “It’s just part of the job—there are many things that need to be rushed through.”

There are many people like Zhang Yuling—people who work extremely hard—at the Shisi Pharmaceutical Research Institute.

Chen Wei and Zhang Yuling work in the same department, and Zhang is also a soon-to-be mom. Her due date is early May this year, yet she returned to work on time on February 3rd. “Some tasks require my responsibility, and I can’t hold the team back,” she says. Although her movements are a bit clumsy, she’s a real expert when it comes to analysis—efficient, precise, and quick. Her colleagues often joke half-seriously, “You really are worth two people!” “R&D work is highly interlinked; every single element must be in place for the project to move forward. My family understands my work and quietly supports me.”

▲ Sun Xiaofei, Process Engineer, Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Division, Institute of Innovation

On February 20, it was already 10 p.m., yet Sun Xiaofei, a process engineer in the API Department of the Institute of Innovation, was still poring over scientific literature. “We’re preparing pharmacological samples. This innovative drug has entered the pilot-scale testing phase, and we need to keep closely monitoring the entire preparation process.” The preparation of pharmacological samples typically takes about 20 days, during which time he has to wait until each batch is completed before he can take a break. “As a process engineer,” Sun Xiaofei said, “I have to be hands-on and personally involved—only then can I accurately grasp every step of the synthesis process.”

Overtime has become the norm at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, and Sun Xiaofei is no exception. On weekdays, he has a habit: every day around 5 p.m., he makes a phone call to check on how things are going at home. Sun Xiaofei has a four-year-old child, and normally it’s his spouse who picks up and drops off the child. “But right now, with the pandemic in full swing, we’ve had no choice but to leave the child in the care of the grandparents.” When he talks about his family and child, his face is filled with guilt. “I’m just too busy with work—I really can’t find any time to spend with my family and child. Thankfully, my family has gradually come to understand me and is now supportive of my career. I’ll do my best to achieve some real results and repay both the company and my family.”

Thanks to painstaking efforts, Shisi Pharmaceutical’s path of innovation is now on the right track. Currently, the company has more than 160 products in development, including several first-in-class new drugs. Among these is a novel small-molecule compound—a first-in-class anti-tumor drug—developed jointly with domestic research institutions and possessing independent intellectual property rights. This drug recently received acceptance from the Drug Review Center of the National Medical Products Administration. Its patent has already been granted in China, the United States, and Europe, marking the official start of Shisi Pharmaceutical’s journey toward becoming a leader in the development of first-in-class new drugs in China.

Faced with the pandemic, more than 310 R&D personnel across the hospital are simultaneously focusing on epidemic prevention and innovation, embracing a brand-new mindset as they plunge into the surge of developing new products and technologies. They are wholeheartedly dedicating their energy and youth to driving the company’s innovative, green, and high-quality development!

Keywords:

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Shi Si Yao: Once Again Receives Order to Supply 1.2 Million Abidol Capsules to Hubei Province—A “National Mission”

Rapid response—delivered in one go! Shisi Pharmaceutical swiftly delivered 600,000 Abidol capsules to Wuhan.