Since the release of the "14th Five-Year Plan" for the development of the pharmaceutical industry, which elevated the pharmaceutical industry's role to that of a sector crucial for national welfare, economic development, and national security, a series of policies have been continuously implemented. Issues related to innovative drug R&D efficiency, market access, patent protection, and pricing approval have become hot topics at the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in 2023. China's biopharmaceutical industry has transitioned from generic drug manufacturing to original research and development, evolving from "catching up" to "keeping pace," and even "leading the way." With the steady strengthening of its innovation and R&D capabilities, the industry has expanded significantly and has become a key driver of economic growth and technological advancement.

In order to further drive innovation and cooperation in the field of biotechnology in China, on April 7th, KPMG China hosted the "2nd Biotechnology Innovation Top 50 Enterprises Awards Ceremony" simultaneously in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. This event gathered numerous experts and scholars from the industry to engage in discussions on cutting-edge topics and future prospects in biotechnology.

Jiangsu Hillgene Biopharma Co., Ltd (referred to as "Hillgene") has been widely recognized and praised by the industry for its advanced technology and innovative capabilities in the field of cell therapy drug contract development and manufacturing (CDMO). Following a comprehensive evaluation, including document review, selection, and field research conducted by KPMG China and an expert

judging committee, Hillgene's overall strength and innovation achievements received high praise from expert judges, ultimately earning a place on KPMG China's 2nd "Biotechnology Innovation Top 50 Enterprises" list.

This selection process involved evaluating enterprises from various dimensions, including market product competitiveness, innovative business models, addressing industry pain points, and financial health. The aim is to select promising biotechnology innovation enterprises that can contribute to the high-quality and healthy development of China's biotechnology innovation industry, and to create a diversified resource sharing platform for these enterprises to collaborate with multiple stakeholders in the ecosystem, further advancing the industry's high-quality and healthy development.