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Dr. Zhu Shujie, Deputy Director of the Group’s Drug Research Institute: Blooming with youthful brilliance on the front lines of scientific research and innovation.

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Media reports

Time：2022-05-17

In June 2019, Zhu Shujie, a young man from Handan, set out from his hometown for Shijiazhuang, full of bright aspirations, after earning his PhD in medicinal chemistry from the University of Copenhagen.

Dr. Zhu Shujie, Deputy Director of the Group’s Drug Research Institute: Blooming with youthful brilliance on the front lines of scientific research and innovation.

In June 2019, Zhu Shujie, a young man from Handan, set foot on the land of Shijiazhuang from his hometown, full of bright aspirations after earning his PhD in medicinal chemistry from the University of Copenhagen.

“From South China University of Technology to the University of Copenhagen, many students and alumni have chosen first-tier cities both overseas and in China. After all your studies, have you ever regretted coming to Shijiazhuang to work and live?” “Haha, right now, quite a few of my classmates still really envy me for working in Shijiazhuang!” On May 11, facing an interview with a reporter, this young intellectual—of medium height, wearing glasses, and speaking with boundless energy—displayed a mature and confident demeanor in his bright, piercing eyes.

At the end of 2019, after earning his doctorate, Dr. Zhu Shujie returned to China and began working as a raw-material drug researcher at the Pharmaceutical Research Institute of Shijiazhuang No. 4 Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

“I feel really fortunate—right now is an excellent opportunity for Shijiazhuang to vigorously develop the biopharmaceutical industry,” he told reporters with satisfaction. Last year, our city proposed building a biopharmaceutical industrial cluster worth hundreds of billions of yuan and achieving a breakthrough ahead of others. Relevant departments have since rolled out a series of practical and effective policies. The research team led by him, which focuses on active pharmaceutical ingredients, has received substantial funding for innovation. Even more exciting for him is that both the company and the city itself have set higher goals and strategic directions for his beloved specialty API R&D endeavor. This gives him greater confidence and assurance as he looks ahead to his future work.

“A favorable environment and supportive policies create a positive atmosphere. Whether within a single company or among different enterprises, everyone is eager to accelerate development. It’s precisely in this competitive atmosphere that one finds a sense of mission, fulfillment, and accomplishment in their beloved career.”

“Right now, I wear many hats and carry a heavy burden. I’m responsible for several API development projects— not only ensuring that the technology for new products is ready for industrialization, but also assisting the production workshop in addressing practical issues such as improving product yields. Almost every day, my routine consists of a straight line between the lab, the workshop, and the dormitory, with all my energy focused on solving problems and overcoming challenges.” He said, “Scientific research results are earned through hard work and perseverance. You can’t achieve anything meaningful just by staying in the office. Doing research itself is a tough job—you’ve got to be willing to endure even the greatest hardships.”

Last year in the second half, there was a period when, in order to address the issue of the lengthy carbon removal filtration process in the chemical procedure for Product A, he plunged headfirst into the workshop. He meticulously examined the production processes, carefully documented his observations, and thoroughly investigated the root causes of the problem—working tirelessly until the issue was finally resolved. He said that R&D and industrialization form an integrated chain; the more completely problems arising during technology transfer are addressed, the more reliably product quality will be ensured. Today, he requires his research team to devote one week each month to immersing themselves in the frontline of production and tackling real-world challenges. Writing their research papers based on insights gained from the “production frontline” has become an essential part of their training.

“It’s a true blessing to be able to put one’s talents to good use in the development of a company. R&D personnel all look forward to seeing the fruits of their painstaking efforts bring value to both the company and society as soon as possible.” What makes him especially happy is the remarkable progress his colleagues and he have made over the past year. With pride, he says that last year, the Fourth Pharmaceutical Research Institute secured 32 national approvals for various pharmaceutical products—including six approvals specifically for specialized active pharmaceutical ingredients. Currently, there are over 200 drug formulations and active pharmaceutical ingredients either under development or awaiting approval.

What excites Dr. Zhu Shujie even more is that, “Our products—featuring domestically advanced crystal-form control technology—are uniquely capable of ‘easily’ controlling key quality parameters such as particle size, bulk density, and flowability, thereby effectively meeting the diverse needs of our high-end clients in Europe and the U.S. The active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) that have been refined and upgraded through technological innovation are highly favored by the market and have become ‘highly sought-after commodities’ in the international high-end market, generating monthly sales revenues exceeding 100 million yuan and serving as a crucial growth engine for the company’s development.” Last year, the research team led by him successfully tackled a number of common and critical technical challenges that had previously hindered the yield and quality of specialty APIs, leveraging cutting-edge processes and equipment such as continuous-flow microreactors, continuous crystallization technology, and intelligent manufacturing. As a result, both technical and quality indicators have significantly improved, with product quality now on par with the industry’s leading standards. The team has also secured 18 patent achievements, enabling the company to successfully join the ranks of “specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative” demonstration enterprises.

“The endless stream of projects keeps me happily busy with both researching my new products and overseeing their industrialization—but right now, this kind of industry and work environment is exactly what I’ve been longing for.”

The remarkable transformation of Shijiazhuang’s industries has filled young science and technology professionals with hope and aspiration for the future. Today, Dr. Zhu Shujie has deeply integrated his career and life into his “second hometown.” He says that Shijiazhuang—and the Shijiazhuang Fourth Pharmaceutical Group, where he works—provide both development opportunities and a broad platform for talent growth and self-fulfillment. Guided by innovation as the core of his work, he strives to pursue genuine knowledge and hone real skills, consistently staying at the forefront of scientific research and production. Through hard work and dedication, he aims to grow and contribute new innovations and achievements, thus making his own unique mark as a young science and technology professional in this new era and living up to the prime years of his youth.

Reprinted from: Shijiazhuang Daily

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Deepening Our Roots in the Pharmaceutical Industry and Increasing Investment in Technology—An Interview with Sun Lijie, CEO of Shijiazhuang Four Pharmaceutical and General Manager of its R&D Center

Xia Guolong: Dedicated and Focused on Scientific Research, Protecting People’s Health with Safe and Effective Medicines