Shenzhen: The beating heart of Asia-Pacific's tech synergy

To Italian immunologistAldo Tagliabue, vaccines arenever mere “cold scientificproducts.” Instead, he viewsthem as “invisible shields” safeguarding human life.Now a researcher at the ShenzhenInstitutes of Advanced Technology(SIAT) of the Chinese Academy ofSciences and chief scientist of theLaboratory of Inflammation and Vaccines, Tagliabue brings half a centuryof expertise spanning Europe, theAmericas, and Asia to China’s “Silicon Valley.” 

Aldo Tagliabue

With 11 scientific patents and twoof Italy’s highest awards for scientifictechnology transfer, Tagliabue is perhaps best known for his role in developing the world’s first recombinantvaccine against Bordetella pertussis(whooping cough) and the Meningococcus B vaccine. 

Today, his focus isrooted in Shenzhen, where he leadsa diverse scientific team and fostershigh-level international collaboration.“Shenzhen is more than just a hostcity,” Tagliabue said, referring to theupcoming 2026 APEC meeting. “Thecity itself has become a core agendaitem for Asia-Pacific technologicalcollaboration.”

A billboard on a building in Shenzhen reads, “With open arms we welcome APEC.”Shenzhen Special Zone Daily

Tagliabue’s office offers a glimpseinto his dual world. On the wall, alarge map of China hangs alongside amap of Shenzhen, where he has circleddozens of local landmarks. Gesturingtoward the border, he noted, “HongKong is just across the river — it isvery close.” 

His entry into the field of immunology in the mid-1970s was almostserendipitous, he recalled. At the time,the field was evolving at an astonishing pace. He took a chance on theburgeoning science and never lookedback.The peak of his 40-year career camewhile working alongside the renownedItalian vaccine pioneer Rino Rappuoli.Together, they developed the recombinant acellular pertussis vaccine —the first of its kind against a bacterialdisease — and Bexsero, a meningitis Bvaccine created using groundbreaking“reverse vaccinology.”“Vaccines are not a big profit-makingbusiness; they are a life-saving cause,”Tagliabue said. 

“Unlike chronic disease drugs that require lifelong use,a vaccine costing a few dozen dollarscan alleviate the entire disease burdenof a region.”Tagliabue’s relationship withChina began in 2006. While serving as the R&D director at theInternational Vaccine Institute inSeoul, South Korea, he coordinateda multinational team from China,South Korea, Germany, and Italy todevelop a SARS vaccine. He first visited China in 2006 for the project’sannual meeting in Shanghai.

A sculpture in the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology (SIAT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences symbolizing the integration of information technology (IT) and biotechnology. File photo

In 2019, a long-time Chinese colleague invited him to join SIAT. “I sawthis as a perfect opportunity to start anew chapter in China’s fertile scientificground,” he said. After consulting hiswife — also a researcher — the couplerelocated to Shenzhen to establish aresearch team dedicated to infectionimmunology and vaccine development.To prepare for the move, his daughtergave him a book titled “The ShenzhenExperiment: The Story of China’s InstantCity.” “From that book, I learned howShenzhen transformed into a moderninternational metropolis of over 10 million people in just 40 years,” he said.

A view from the SIAT of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

At SIAT, Tagliabue led the establishmentof the Laboratory of Inflammation and Vaccines. He represents the institute in severalmajor international initiatives, including Bill& Melinda Gates Foundation ventures andjoint research with Italy’s Fondazione BioSciences on COVID-19 immune responses.He is also working to expand China-Europeties and pave the way for a new Sino-Italianjoint lab.To date, Tagliabue has mentored dozensof Chinese researchers and built a 20-personteam specializing in immunology, vaccinology, and nanomedicine.Looking ahead to the 2026 APEC meeting, Tagliabue draws a parallel between the21-member bloc and the European Union.“APEC mirrors the EU in its reliance oncollective strength,” he noted. 

“To achievescientific breakthroughs, we must pool ourfinancial and technical resources, forging aunified force for innovation.”“Beyond being the host city, Shenzhen itselfwill be at the heart of the Asia-Pacific’s techinnovation agenda. As a core engine of theGuangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater BayArea, the city is an essential hub for the integration of global data governance, AI, andbiotechnology.”From Milan to Siena, and Seoul toShenzhen, Tagliabue’s career has bridgedcontinents. In his office, the annotated mapsand hand-drawn cards serve as a testamentto his journey.“When you have a dream,” he said, “youmust go and achieve it.”