The Shanxi Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention recently signed a partnership agreement with the Institute of Medical Biology at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences in Kunming, capital of Southwest China's Yunnan province. 

Founded in 1958, the Institute of Medical Biology is mainly engaged in medical virology, immunology, molecular biology technology, medical genetics, molecular epidemiology, as well as basic and applied research on experimental animals -- mainly primates -- and animal experimental techniques. 

The institute has established an independent and innovative vaccine development system, which plays an important role in the country's response to pandemics and other public health threats.

Under the agreement, both parties will focus on the major needs for the development of public health, the prevention and control of major diseases, the well-being of the people and the development of the biomedical industry.

They will work together and jointly build a vaccine R&D and application technology platform, undertake innovative vaccine clinical research, public health personnel training, as well as develop, operate and manage high-level biosafety laboratories.