Shanghai is China’s premier research and innovation hub, home to Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Fudan University, ShanghaiTech University, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai Institutes. Melan works with teams across Shanghai’s research ecosystem to structure cross-border partnerships that connect Chinese science with global industry.
The Shanghai Research Partnership Landscape
Shanghai’s research ecosystem is anchored by two of China’s most prestigious universities: Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) — globally renowned for engineering, medicine, and business — and Fudan University, a comprehensive research university with particular strengths in biomedical sciences, humanities, and social sciences. ShanghaiTech University is a newer but rapidly rising institution focused on science, technology, and translational research, while the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Shanghai Institutes include the Shanghai Institute of Biological Sciences, the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, and the Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology.
Shanghai excels across a broad range of research fields: biomedical research and pharmaceutical sciences, AI and robotics, advanced materials and nanotechnology, semiconductor research, and finance and economics. The Zhangjiang Science City — often called China’s “pharma valley” — hosts over 1,000 research institutes and corporate R&D centres, while the Lingang area is emerging as a hub for AI and integrated circuits.
Corporate R&D is exceptionally concentrated, with Chinese headquarters and R&D centres of Huawei, Alibaba (including DAMO Academy), Tencent, SMIC, Baidu, JD.com, and Shanghai Pharmaceuticals. Shanghai is also the preferred China entry point for multinational corporate R&D, with GM, Disney, Roche, and Siemens maintaining major R&D operations.
What Melan Does for Teams in Shanghai
Melan helps Shanghai’s research institutions connect with global corporate partners and helps international companies access Chinese research capacity.
For corporate R&D teams in Shanghai: We map the Chinese research landscape to identify university and institute partners aligned with your priorities — from SJTU’s strength in engineering and medicine to Fudan’s leadership in biomedical sciences. We structure partnerships that navigate Chinese regulatory frameworks, IP considerations, and funding mechanisms.
For Shanghai universities and institutes: We help TTOs and research offices identify international corporate partners who value Chinese research excellence, navigate the increasingly complex cross-border partnership landscape, and structure collaborations that meet both Chinese and international compliance requirements.
For international companies entering the Chinese market: We provide strategic guidance on accessing the Shanghai research infrastructure — including Zhangjiang Science City, university partnerships, and CAS institutes — and structure collaborations that respect Chinese regulations while protecting international IP interests.
FAQ
How does Melan help companies partner with SJTU or Fudan?
We map the specific research groups and PIs aligned with your R&D priorities, then approach SJTU’s Office of Research and Innovation or Fudan’s Technology Transfer Office with a pre-structured framework tailored to Chinese research collaboration models and international standards.
What makes Shanghai unique for research partnerships?
Shanghai combines China’s top engineering and medical universities with the country’s most concentrated corporate R&D ecosystem. The city is the gateway to China’s science and technology ambitions — from AI and biomedical research to advanced manufacturing and semiconductor development.
Does Melan work with multinational R&D centres in Shanghai?
Yes. We work with multinational companies operating R&D centres in Shanghai to identify academic partners at SJTU, Fudan, ShanghaiTech, and CAS institutes, navigating Chinese regulatory frameworks and partnership models.
How do I start a research partnership in Shanghai?
Contact Melan at themelan.com/contact-us. We discuss your R&D priorities and map the Shanghai research ecosystem to identify the right collaborators for your goals.
Ready to form a research partnership in Shanghai?
Melan helps corporate R&D teams, universities, and research institutes across Shanghai structure successful research collaborations.
