DSM, Fudan open joint world-class laboratory

21/11/05 DSM Nutritional Products (DNP), a global market leader in vitamins and fine chemicals, and Fudan University announced the opening of their Joint Laboratory at Fudan University in Shanghai. The laboratory is part of a long-term research cooperation between DSM and Fudan in nutrition and health. Today's announcement comes after the signing of a legal agreement between DSM Nutritional Products (DNP) and Fudan University at the end of 2004, representing a total investment of RMB 36 million (CHF 5.0 million).

The Fudan-DSM Joint Lab is closely located to the Fudan Department of Chemistry and will provide lab space, seminar rooms and infra-structure for up to 30 scientists. In the first phase of this co-operation, approximately 10 scientists will work under the guidance and supervision of Professor Fener Chen. The laboratory is focusing on research in chiral technologies, synthetic methods for the industrial production of vitamins, carotenoids and new food and feed ingredients. In later stages of the lab's development, the research scope will be broadened.

Both DSM and Fudan are confident that this laboratory represents a new model of collaboration between multinational enterprises and China's leading scientific research institutions. On the one hand, Fudan University has realized its ambition of intensifying cooperation with leading industrial corporations as well as enhancing the transfer of scientific and technical knowledge. At the same time, DSM is strengthening its technological involvement in one of its most important markets. "Fudan University will fully support the joint lab with human resources, lab space, a supportive research environment, etc." Yuliang Yang, Academician of CAS and Vice President of Fudan University, said about the project. "Through joint research and development, we hope that the cooperation will not only promote first class research activities in health beneficial ingredients, but can also create real products that benefit human health and life-quality."

For DSM, the research capabilities of Fudan represent an opportunity to tap into China's vast reservoir of talent in terms of market and innovation potential as well as knowledge-base. Fudan has created a solid foundation for progress by establishing itself as the Chinese Center of Excellence. "The establishment of Fudan-DSM Joint Lab will be an important milestone and an integrated part of DSM Nutritional Products' R&D strategy. It is also part of DSM's overall strategy to strengthen its business and R&D activities in China. The combination of highly skilled and educated scientists from Fudan University, along with the long-term experience and business and science know-how of DSM Nutritional Products', raises my expectations for high-value scientific contributions and fast, efficient progress in this area. "said Dr. Manfred Eggersdorfer, R&D Director DSM Nutritional Products.

In China, DSM is very active in seeking partnerships with top-notch research institutions to develop products and solutions that meet the needs of China market. The company's R&D unit is already in frequent contact with several leading Chinese universities, including Fudan. "In the future, we will succeed by increasing our presence not only in production terms but also in R&D, knowledge and scientific expertise, as well as by intensifying cooperation with leading Chinese scientific institutions." said Jan Zuidam, Deputy Chairman of the Managing Board of Directors of DSM.

In addition to focusing on programs funded by the government, Fudan University also puts great emphasis on cooperating with national and international corporations. Several years ago, the university began creating strong business relationships with select local food and feed ingredient producers. 

Fudan University, originally called Fudan Public School, was founded in 1905 in Shanghai. Now, Fudan University has more than 45,000 students and owns a high-level research faculty of over 2,400 full-time teachers and researchers. Fudan University has become one of internationally recognized influential academic center and attaches importance to the international academic exchange activities. Fudan University has established exchange relationships with more than 200 universities and research institutions in about 30 countries and regions. By grasping the time pulse well and aiming to cultivate prominent talents, Fudan University actively promotes the combination of talent cultivation with research work development and construction of scientific disciplines to build world first class university. By establishing its own scientific industry, Fudan has promoted the combination of industry, education and research, and accelerated the transformation from scientific research to productivity as well.  Following the aim of serving the society and insisting "Serving Shanghai, Facing the whole of country and developing education", by cooperating with big-sized enterprise group, building science-Based Industry Park, establishing joint laboratory and transferring scientific and technological achievements, Fudan accelerates the transformation from scientific research to productivity, and makes effort to explore and build an innovation base, involving a complete development in production, learning, and research.

DSM Nutritional Products is the world's leading supplier of vitamins, carotenoids and other fine chemicals to the feed, food, pharmaceutical and personal care industries. The company has a long tradition as a pioneer in the discovery of new products, new formulations and attractive applications for all industry segments.

DSM is active worldwide in nutritional and pharma ingredients, performance materials and industrial chemicals. The company creates innovative products and services that help improve the quality of life. DSM's products are used in a wide range of end markets and applications such as human and animal nutrition and health, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, automotive and transport, coatings, housing and electrics & electronics (E&E). DSM's strategy, named Vision 2010 - Building on Strengths, focuses on accelerating profitable and innovative growth of the company's specialties portfolio. Market-driven growth, innovation and increased presence in emerging economies are key drivers of this strategy. The group has annual sales of approximately EUR 8 billion and employs around 23,000 people worldwide. DSM ranks among the global leaders in many of its fields. The company is headquartered in the Netherlands, with locations in Europe, Asia and the Americas.