The Ferring Institute of Reproductive Medicine (FIRM) and the Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration (ISCR) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) held a media day on Friday under the theme of reproductive health in Beijing. Specialists at the event discussed reproductive health research and innovative transitional research in reproductive medicine in China.

Founded by ISCR and Ferring Pharmaceuticals in 2017, the FIRM works to find solutions to global issues regarding fertility and hopes to reduce high rates of obstetric complications.

Mirjam Mol-Arts, chief science and medical officer of Ferring Pharmaceuticals, congratulated FIRM via video on its achievements over the past three years. "Our partnership with the Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration of CAS is a critical and integral part of our global R&D network," Mol-Arts said.

Dr. Henk Jan Out, chief scientific officer of Ferring Pharmaceuticals Asia Pacific, described how, during the COVID-19 epidemic, FIRM and Chinese scholars of reproductive biology and reproductive medicine carried out unique research projects on epidemics and reproductive health.

Hu Baoyang, executive director of ISCR, noted that drug research and development is one of the most effective instrument in fighting disease, and that identifying drug targets is the first step in drug research and development. Primary research can provide significant exploratory and pioneering work in finding drug targets, Hu added.

"The establishment of FIRM, an in-depth cooperation between ISCR and Ferring Pharmaceuticals on industry-academia-research consortia, will help both parties complement each other's advantages, integrate resources, expand their areas of interest, and pursue common development," he said.