Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) announced two new collaborations with China academic institutions last week. Neither one was targeted at developing a specific drug candidate. Instead, their goal appeared to be building long-term relationships with academic leaders in China’s scientific community. Even though it has built a large, self-contained R&D center in Shanghai, Pfizer seems intent upon forging ties with the greater world of China biopharma.

In the first collaboration, Pfizer teamed up with the Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences (SIBS) to do basic research (see story). The big pharma will underwrite $500,000 of health-related basic research projects at SIBS for each of the next three years. Pfizer and SIBS will select the research projects jointly. According to a press release, that initiative is only part of the overall agreement, although no other collaborative activities were disclosed.

Next, Pfizer said it would, together with Shanghai's Fudan University, create a graduate program in Clinical Data Management and Statistical Programming (see story). Starting in September, the University will offer a three-year Masters Degree program, the first such program in China. The program will combine academic coursework and industry experience at Pfizer, with Pfizer supplying experts from its global research network.

Pfizer's interest in China's innovative science has been evident in other ways as well. The company commissioned ChinaBio® to identify early-stage technologies discovered in China. More than 50 of these ground-breaking technologies were honored at the recent ChinaBio® Partnering Forum, held in Shanghai, in a special Innovation Showcase exhibition.

In funding news, aTyr Pharma of San Diego and Hong Kong raised $12 million in new capital to continue development of its lead candidate along with its drug discovery operations (see story). The company is using its proprietary technology to discover potential therapies for inflammation, autoimmune, hematopoietic and metabolic disorders. aTyr Pharma's novel technology is based on a group of naturally occurring resected proteins (resectins) from aminoacyl tRNA synthetases. aTyr’s majority owned subsidiary in Hong Kong, Pangu BioPharma, is located at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. aTyr presented its story to VCs and other investors at the ChinaBio® Investor Forum, which was held during March of this year in Hong Kong.

Neusoft Medical Systems Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the IT-outsourcing company Neusoft Corporation (SHEX: 600718), began shipping its NeuViz 16 multi-slice CT scanner to the US following FDA approval of the device (see story). The Computed Tomography system is also marketed as the first of its kind in China.

Lotus Pharmaceuticals (OTCBB: LTUS) received a patent pending notice from China’s Intellectual Property Office for Gliclazide-Controlled Release Tablets, a controlled release form of the hypoglycemic drug gliclazide that is aimed at type 2 diabetes (see story). Lotus filed for the patent in 2008. According to Lotus, the SFDA has approved the company’s pre-clinical evaluation of the drug.

SciClone Pharmaceuticals (NSDQ: SCLN) in-licensed China rights to Ondansetron RapidFilm, a product developed by APR Applied Pharma Research SA that uses thin-film technology to deliver an established anti-nausea drug (see story). The rapidly dissolving product is administered to treat side effects of nausea and vomiting following surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Last week, the State Council of China detailed its 2009 plans for healthcare reform (see story). China’s national government is committed to a top-to-bottom overhaul of its medical system by 2020, and it is slowly releasing the specific, year-by-year steps it will take to achieve its overarching policy goals. During 2009, the government plans to designate 100 state-run hospitals as pilot hospitals, add 72 million urban citizens to the basic insurance rolls, and start building medical delivery facilities in rural areas.

And finally, China Medical Technologies (NSDQ: CMED) (中国医疗技术公司) watched its share price drop sharply this week after the company lowered guidance for Q1 (ended June 30) and Q2 of 2010 (see story). China Medical blamed the shortfall entirely on an outside cause: an anonymous letter to the company challenged its recent accounting statements, forcing management into spending time investigating the allegations instead of concentrating on China Medical’s ongoing operations.

Disclosure: none.