To effectively respond to the increasingly variable pathogens as well as emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, international collaboration plays a crucial role in promoting vaccine research and innovation. The global biotechnology industry is entering a new and rapid growth phase. In this international context, the vaccine industry needs to keenly capture and seize international opportunities to ensure its research and development capabilities are aligned with global standards.

From November 3 to 4, 2023, the 2023 China-Europe Vaccine Industry International Cooperation Forum (hereinafter referred to as the "Forum") was successfully held in Wuxi, China. The event was guided by the China Vaccine Industry Association, China Pharmaceutical University, and Wuxi Municipal People's Government, and organized by the Wuxi National High-Tech Industrial Development Zone Management Committee, Wuxi Science and Technology Bureau, Wuxi Health Commission, European Vaccine Initiative (EVI), and the EU Project Innovation Center. It was hosted by the Wuxi EU Project Innovation Center, aiming to build a China-Europe vaccine industry research and cooperation platform.

The forum focused on vaccine development trends, policy dynamics, research hotspots, processing technologies, industry standards, and the commercialization of new vaccines. It brought more cooperation opportunities to the vaccine industry and provided a more effective communication platform for professionals in the Chinese and European vaccine sectors. The forum invited European experts from 12 organizations across 9 European countries and attracted over 130 Chinese enterprises, universities, investment institutions, and industry organizations from across China.Scholars and experts in the vaccine field delivered 24 academic speeches at the forum. Fifty-four participants registered for business matching negotiation activities, 26 matching negotiations were organized, and 24 cooperation intentions were achieved on the spot.

The forum featured activities such as discussions on international cooperation opportunities, prospects and challenges of mRNA technology applications, cutting-edge hotspots & academic exchange forums, matchmaking meetings, and site visits. Intense discussions were held on mRNA-based vaccines and other new technologies and methods, exploring new paths for future cooperation in the frontier technology fields of vaccines between China and Europe.

All parties expressed their willingness to jointly promote the China-Europe Vaccine Industry Cooperation Platform, assisting enterprises, universities, and science parks in EU countries and China in vaccine research and development, technology transfer, project incubation, and industrial investment. This partnership aims to become an important gateway for vaccine technology cooperation between EU countries and China.