On Aug. 3, 2023, a groundbreaking ceremony marked the start of the integrated project for the permanent site housing the Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation (SMART) and the Shenzhen Bay Laboratory (SZBL) in Guangming Science City.

This initiative, situated in the northeast region of the science and education integration cluster within the area, will be developed in stages. The initial phase will concentrate on establishing public technology facilities and general research and development structures.

Strategically positioned near universities, with a burgeoning industrial hub in neighboring Dongguan City to the north, the project spans a preliminary land area of 288,000 square meters. The overall construction is estimated at around 753,700 square meters, with a total investment of 8.5 billion yuan. Its pivotal role as a comprehensive national science center in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area underscores Shenzhen's ambition to forge a pioneering hub for medical and life science technology innovation.

The construction endeavors of SMART and SZBL encompass various facilities, including research buildings, technology platforms, academic exchange centers, exhibition zones, and dining facilities. The project will also feature accommodation for students and experts, as well as underground parking and utility spaces. Equipment ranges from advanced research platforms to essential utilities like transformers and ventilation systems. Upon completion, the project aims to maintain an annual energy consumption within sustainable limits, with electricity usage capped at 174.06 million kilowatt-hours annually.

The development will progress in phases, with the initial stage prioritizing the establishment of public technology platforms like the Animal Center and Structural Biology Analysis Platform, alongside research and development buildings such as the Institute of Infectious Diseases.