Recently, the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (NATCM) published the Result of the Interim Appraisal for Key Laboratories of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine ([2021] No. 315 Letter of Technology, NATCM).

The Key Laboratory of South China Medicinal Herbs Comprehensive Development and International Cooperation mainly built by GPHL was rated as 'Excellent' in the appraisal. As one of the only five Guangdong-based organizations and the only one engaged in TCM that obtained this rating, GPHL received a letter of commendation.

Representing the nation's TCM strength, this key laboratory was set up by the NATCM to meet the scientific and technological demand for TCM industrial development and to address the issues associated with key theories and common technologies that could have significant implications on TCM development. It is an integral part of China's TCM scientific and technological innovation system and provides strong support for TCM theories, clinical medicine, and industry.

In compliance with the Measures for the Management of Projects of Constructing Key Research Laboratories of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the NATCM conducted an interim appraisal of its 141 key laboratories whose 3-year development has been completed. 118 organizations have passed the appraisal, 50 of which received a rating of 'Excellent'.

# GPHL as the lead founder

The Key Laboratory of South China Medicinal Herbs Comprehensive Development and International Cooperation of the NATCM was built by GPHL, Guangzhou Baiyun Mountain and Hutchison Whampoa Ltd. (BMHW), Guangdong University of Chinese Medicine, and the Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD) in 2010.

# Protection, development, and sustainability of resources of South China medicinal herbs

Following the development needs of the TCM industry, this key laboratory focuses on the germplasm conservation of South China medicinal herbs, cultivation of endangered, emerging, and scarce South China medicinal herbs, and comprehensive development of relevant resources. Efforts are made in three aspects, namely germplasm conservation, the key technologies of cultivation, and comprehensive development and application via multi-disciplinary collaboration, the introduction of new technologies and approaches, and technology enablement. It seeks breakthroughs in critical resource issues about South China medicinal herbs and makes its contributions to the overall improvement in conservation and application abilities for TCM resources in the region as well as within the industry and the acceleration of TCM innovations.

# High recognition from the NATCM

The 'Excellent' rating means the NATCM gave high recognition to the development and achievements of the key laboratory. The key laboratory has already entered a new phase of its development.

Authors: Monica & Michelle

Editors: Olivia & Jerry