COMSTECH, China-Pakistan Joint Herbal Medicine Laboratory launched in China

ISLAMABAD, Jun 06 (APP):China, Pakistan and OIC-COMSTECH on Saturday launched a Joint Laboratory on Research and Development of Herbal Medicine during the inaugural session of the 2026 International Symposium on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)-Unani Medicine Cooperation and SCO Member States Traditional Medicine Industry Exchange Forum held at Ningbo University in China’s Zhejiang Province.

The joint laboratory has been established through collaboration between Ningbo University and OIC-COMSTECH.

It aims to promote collaborative research and innovation in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Unani Medicine, with a focus on herbal medicine development, clinical and pre-clinical studies, international registration of traditional medicine products, academic exchanges, and training of young researchers.

Bringing together a multidisciplinary team of 50 researchers, including 30 Chinese and 20 international experts, the laboratory covers fields ranging from medicine, pharmacy, biology, and chemistry to artificial intelligence, policy, and regulatory sciences.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Coordinator General OIC-COMSTECH Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary described the initiative as a landmark achievement in China-Pakistan scientific cooperation. He said the two countries had developed a successful model of collaboration in traditional medicine over the past two decades through joint research projects, scientist exchanges, clinical studies, and institutional partnerships.

He noted that cooperation between Pakistani and Chinese institutions had contributed significantly to advancements in herbal medicine research, medicinal plants, pharmacology, and healthcare innovation. Prof. Choudhary said the newly established laboratory would further strengthen research, product development, academic exchange, and capacity building while promoting evidence-based traditional medicine and international scientific collaboration.

Highlighting COMSTECH’s broader vision, he said the successful China-Pakistan model should be expanded to benefit OIC member states and other developing countries. He also announced plans to organize a Traditional Medicine Summit in Islamabad, bringing together scientists, policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders from across the Muslim world to strengthen cooperation in traditional medicine research and innovation.

Professor Zhao Yufen, member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Dean of the Institute of Drug Discovery Technology at Ningbo University, underscored the importance of international collaboration in traditional medicine research and innovation. She said the laboratory would provide a valuable platform for integrating scientific expertise, promoting joint research, and advancing the evidence-based development of traditional medicine products.

Under the laboratory’s governance structure, Prof. Zhao Yufen will chair its Academic Committee, while Prof. Liu Xinmin of Ningbo University’s Institute of Drug Discovery Technology will serve as the Chinese Director. Prof. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, Chief Scientist at the University of Karachi and the University of Lahore, will serve as the Pakistani Director.

The inaugural session was attended by , Consul General in Shanghai Shehzad Ahmad Khan, Science and Technology Counsellor Khan Muhammad Wazir, Vice President of Ningbo University Prof. Qingqing Wang, Director of Zhejiang Provincial Science and Technology Exchange and Talent Service Center Prof. Yaowu Zhang, President of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prof. Zeng Fan, Party Secretary of Hunan University of Medicine Jing Liao, Vice President of the Secretariat of the SCO Traditional Medicine Industry Alliance Ms. Dongping Meng, and leading scientists, policymakers, regulators, and industry representatives from China, Pakistan, SCO member states, and other countries.

According to the COMSTECH, the symposium brought together scientists, policymakers, regulators, diplomats, industry representatives, and academic leaders to discuss research collaboration, product development, regulatory harmonization, commercialization, and future cooperation in traditional medicine.

 The newly launched laboratory is expected to serve as a key platform for advancing scientific research, innovation, talent development, and healthcare applications in traditional medicine across China, Pakistan, OIC member states, and SCO countries.