Science-Based Innovation in China: A Case Study of Artemisinin from Laboratory to the Market

Abstract

Science-based innovation emerged from novel and discontinuous innovations which provoked irreversible yet significant changes in science and technology. This research investigated the commercialization process of artemisinin, a typical science-based innovation in China. Due to her research involvement with artimisinin (qinghaosu), Tu Youyou received the 2011 Lasker Award in clinical medicine and the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine jointly with William C. Campbell and Satoshi Ōmura. In this paper, the authors reviewed the process of artemisinin’s innovation from labs in a research institute to its entrance into the market. Based on the research, we reached the following conclusions. First, during the process of science-based innovation, a “new technology platform” might be established and a series of applications might be invented. Second, the extensive cooperation among research institutions and companies played a vital role in the science-based innovation. Third, the science-based innovation emerged through multidisciplinary research teams as well as contacts among scientists with cross-fields expertise. Fourth, for science-based innovation, early research funding mainly relied on public funds. During the commercialization stage, corporate funding plays a major role. Fifth, a clear research objective, an overall planning, coordination, and the stability of policies were also important factors in the entire science-based innovation process.

An Empirical Study on Innovation Ecosystem, Technological Trajectory Transition, and Innovation Performance

“…Network cooperation is found to positively affect firms' innovation performance (Beckett and Vachhrajani 2017;Chen and Xie 2018;Nieto and Santamaría, 2007;Zhang, Yang, Qi, Lei 2018). R&D and network are considered as complementary drivers for innovation outputs.…”

Mapping the two-way relationship between management practices and firm innovation: the mediating role of business environment, degree of competition, and energy policies

“…Over the past few decades, innovation has grabbed wide attention among researchers, practitioners and professed as a strategic driver in exploring new opportunities, products and services innovation, values creation, economic development and competitive advantage in embroidered business environment (Xie et al , 2018; Zhang et al , 2020; Yang et al , 2021). It has become a value-added activity among firms and perceived as a main strategy of economic development, social and environmental performance (Xu and Duan, 2018; Zhang et al , 2018; Zhang et al , 2022). However, to achieve the desired level of firm innovation, managers and practitioners need to invent friendly business environment to promote the culture of innovation to gain wanted competitiveness (Li and Zheng, 2014; Tsai et al , 2015; Zhang et al , 2020).…”

Exploring the Formation Mechanism of Radical Technological Innovation

“…Technological innovation is a main power to promote economic growth (Chen & Lei 2020;Chen & Xie 2018;Hämäläinen & Inkinen 2019;Kumar and Chanda 2018;Lei et al 2019Lei et al , 2020Lu 2016;Sui and Liu 2020;Tan et al 2010;Wang et al 2007;Wipulanusat et al 2020;Xu et al 2008Xu et al , 2011Xu et al , 2013Xu et al , 2016Xu et al , 2018Xu et al , 2020Viriyasitavat 2014, 2019;Yang et al 2018;Zhang et al 2018). Particularly, radical technological innovation generates substantial competitive advantages for enterprises (Li 2018(Li , 2020.…”