King Abdulaziz University and Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine Advance Joint Innovation in Biomedicine

King Abdulaziz University, represented by the Institute of Genomic Medicine, signed a scientific and research cooperation agreement with Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine in the People’s Republic of China. The agreement aims to expand international research partnerships, advance innovation in medical and biomedical fields, and develop joint research and therapeutic solutions for chronic diseases.

King Abdulaziz University was represented at the signing by the Vice President for Scientific Research and Innovation, Professor Amin bin Yousef Noaman, while the Chinese side was represented by Professor Weixing Shen, leader of the international team from Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine.

The agreement includes the establishment of the China-Saudi Joint Laboratory for Metabolic Disease Prevention and Translational Medicine. It also seeks to advance joint innovation in biomedicine and study the genetic, molecular, and epidemiological characteristics of metabolic diseases in Saudi Arabia and China, particularly diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and cancer.

Areas of cooperation include developing innovative herbal formulations that combine traditional Chinese medicine with Saudi medicinal plants, exploring promising plants in desert environments in Saudi Arabia and China, selecting medicinal plants with therapeutic potential, and conducting laboratory and clinical studies to support the development of therapeutic innovations for chronic diseases.

The agreement also covers joint scientific research in genomics, metabolic diseases, and translational medicine; the identification and characterization of medicinal plants in Saudi Arabia and China and the study of their therapeutic properties; and the analysis of molecular pathways and mechanisms of action of active compounds using advanced cellular, genetic, and genomic technologies. Cooperation will also include researcher, faculty member, and postgraduate student exchanges, as well as training in advanced laboratories.

The partnership extends to organizing joint international scientific conferences and events, in addition to pursuing joint patents and intellectual property registration for research outputs. These efforts will help translate research findings into products and innovations with scientific, health, and economic impact.

This agreement reflects King Abdulaziz University’s commitment to strengthening its presence in the global research and innovation ecosystem and building strategic partnerships with leading international universities and research centers. It also supports the exchange of expertise and knowledge and the development of applied research that advances human health and quality of life.