The University of Cambridge has concluded a £4 million agreement with Chinese health firm Infinitus (China) Company Ltd. (Infinitus (China) for short) to explore the activity of plant-derived compounds at the molecular and cellular levels.
The University of Cambridge has concluded a £4 million agreement with Chinese health firm Infinitus (China) Company Ltd. (Infinitus (China) for short) to explore the activity of plant-derived compounds at the molecular and cellular levels.
The five year partnership, which is a combination of philanthropic support and research collaboration, will establish the Cambridge Infinitus Research Centre (CIRCE) based in the new landmark building for the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology on the West Cambridge site, due to open this autumn.
Infinitus (China), a member of LKK Health Products Group, are renowned in China for their wide range of personal and healthcare products. The collaboration marks the first academic partnership for Infinitus outside China.
It will expand opportunities for Cambridge academics to collaborate and exchange information with Infinitus’ academic collaborators in China, some of whom will visit CIRCE during the course of the partnership.
Using state-of-the-art imaging technology, researchers will be able to visualise the effects of various treatments or environmental conditions on cells and molecules.
This potentially has far-reaching implications for understanding the interactions of small molecules and macromolecules within molecular cell biology in neurodegenerative and other diseases.
A signing ceremony took place on Wednesday 2 September to seal the partnership and a plaque was unveiled that will be placed with the new Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology building.
Mr. Tim Qin, Senior Vice President of LKKHPG said: "Today, we are gathered here at the University of Cambridge to open a new chapter in Infinitus's science and technology development. To work with the University and to benefit from the profound science and research strength in Cambridge provides Infinitus with great encouragement for the future."
The Vice-Chancellor said: “Cambridge is well known for its extensive industrial partnerships and we actively encourage a culture of collaboration that strives towards real world impact.
“These kinds of partnerships are invaluable in helping our academics continue and expand their cutting-edge research.
“We are delighted that Infinitus have chosen to take their first step in international expansion at Cambridge and we are grateful not only for their research partnership but also their generous philanthropic support of both the Centre and the Department.”
Photo Caption: L-R Richard Prager, Head of the School of Technology; The Vice-Chancellor; Tim Qin, Senior Vice-President, LKK Health Products Group Ltd; Leon Li, General Manager of Marketing Department, Infinitus (China) Company Ltd
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