Abstract:

This study explores viable pathways for establishing biomedical proof-of-concept (POC) centers via university-affiliated, off-campus research institutions, with the specific aim of overcoming the persistent “valley of death” in biomedical technology translation. By integrating a systematic literature review with in-depth case analyses, the study delineates critical structural and institutional bottlenecks that impede the progression of biomedical discoveries from laboratory research to clinical and industrial application, while highlighting the comparative advantages of off-campus research entities as flexible and translationally oriented platforms. Building on these insights, we propose a four-dimensional functional framework encompassing technology evaluation, targeted financial support, experimental validation, and commercialization facilitation, supported by a market-oriented operational model grounded in risk-sharing mechanisms. Collectively, this integrated model promotes more effective linkage between academic innovation and industrial deployment through coordinated engagement of multiple stakeholders and policy instruments, offering both conceptual contributions and an actionable framework to enhance the efficiency of biomedical technology transfer within Chinese universities.

Key words: Biomedicine, Technology transfer, Proof-of-concept center, Off-site research institutions, Valley of death