On December 4, 2023, academic experts including Arsen Arakelyan, Director of the Institute of Molecular Biology, Armenia, Lilit Nersisyan, Director of the Bioinformatics Institute, and Professor Li Bingnan from Shandong University, visited RocRock in China. They engaged in international academic discussions focusing on familial Mediterranean fever and other rare diseases, examining diagnostic approaches and potential therapies. This collaboration aimed to leverage global resources, bolster academic and medical ties between China and Armenia, and tackle rare disease challenges in Mediterranean regions.
(Left to right: Lilit Nersisyan, Director of the Bioinformatics Institute; Arsen Arakelyan, Director of the Institute of Molecular Biology; Xiushan Yin, Chairman of RocRock; and Professor Li Bingnan from Shandong University)
The experts began their visit by touring BioBAY, a prominent biopharmaceutical innovation hub in Suzhou Industrial Park. As a leading cluster for China's biopharmaceutical innovation, BioBAY houses many top - notch firms, creating a comprehensive industrial ecosystem. It's a breeding ground for cutting-edge projects, research breakthroughs, and high - tech unicorns. The tour deepened the experts' understanding of China's biopharmaceutical research and innovation, and they were impressed by the sector's remarkable progress.
（Attend meetings）
Jian-guo Yin, Chairman of BioBAY, highlighted Armenia's wealth of top-tier expertise in mathematics and algorithms. BioBAY itself is home to a cluster of outstanding ITBT firms. Yin expressed the hope for enhanced future cooperation and extended a warm invitation to Armenian scientists and entrepreneurs. He encouraged them to apply their talents in the park, join the vibrant innovation ecosystem, and make significant contributions to the biopharmaceutical sector not only in Suzhou but around the world.
（From left to right: Lilit Nersisyan, Director of the Bioinformatics Institute; Arsen Arakelyan, Director of the Institute of Molecular Biology; Jian-guo Yin, Chairman of BioBAY; Xiushan Yin, Chairman of RocRock; and Bingnan Li, Professor at Shandong University）
Chairman Xiushan Yin then escorted the two international guests and Professor Bingnan Li to tour the National Technological Innovation Center for Biological Pharmaceuticals, which focuses on nucleic acid drugs, cell therapy, gene therapy, antibodies, and other key areas of biological pharmaceuticals. The center's core technology research and its comprehensive innovation technology sharing platform left a deep impression on the two international guests.
Armenia, a country with a population of approximately 3 million, is a nation of global citizens, much like Israel, due to historical circumstances. With 12 million Armenians globally and 14 million Jews worldwide, the Armenian diaspora is particularly prominent in the U.S. Here, Armenians excel in entertainment, film, fashion, music, sports, and art. Prominent examples are the famous Kardashian family, renowned art dealer Larry Gagosian, and Flagship Fund founder Noubar Afeyan.
The World Health Organization classifies diseases affecting 0.65‰ to 1‰ of the population as rare diseases. Due to their low incidence, rare diseases receive less clinical attention than common diseases, and treatment options are limited for most patients worldwide. Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a hereditary autoinflammatory disease marked by recurrent fever and serositis. It is prevalent among Turkish, Armenian, Middle Eastern and North African Jewish, Greek, and Arab populations. With a prevalence of 1/1,000 to 1/200 in Mediterranean regions, FMF is a typical regional rare disease. Notably, up to 1/3 of Armenians carry the FMF gene. While colchicine is the primary treatment, there is a pressing need to develop new therapies that are more effective, less toxic, and have fewer side effects. Given that FMF is caused by a single gene, universal screening and subsequent treatment in affected populations, even as small as a few hundred, are urgently required.
（The cytokine network in familial Mediterranean fever. The cellular network of familial Mediterranean fever（PMID：35958618））
Prior to its founding, RocRock Bio partnered with Armenia in the pandemic period, aiding in the development of testing reagent production and technological platforms. This assistance covered over 60% of Armenia's population and significantly supported public health efforts. After the pandemic, Armenian Directors Lilit Nersisyan and Arsen Arakelyan visited RocRock to explore collaborative opportunities. They hoped to establish cooperation in the domain of common diseases in the Mediterranean region, create an international joint body, and work together to advance the detection and treatment of diseases such as Mediterranean fever.
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