Proposal to establish China-Serbia Joint Laboratory for Natural Products and Drug Discovery was accepted on 20th May, 2021, which are extremely good news for Serbia and Balkan region.

The "One Belt and One Road" Joint Laboratory of Shanghai Institute Materia Medica (SIMM) and Institute for Biological Research „Siniša Stanković“, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade (IBISS), will lead representatives from China and Serbia, Prof. Ye Yang (SIMM) and Dr. Marina Soković (IBISS).

Support for the establishment of the Laboratory was provided by the Cabinet of the Prime Minister of Serbia Ana Brnabić, Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy and the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, as well as the Institute for Medicinal Plant Research "Dr. Josif Pančić".

The concept of establishing a joint laboratory includes combining research capacities for development of natural products in various spheres, primarily in discovery of new drugs and medical products based on natural resources, while preserving biological diversity and ensuring sustainable development. Beside the optimal use of scientific research staff, work of the Laboratory would also ensure improvement of research infrastructure. Formation of China-Serbian laboratory is a big leap forward in strengthening cooperation between China and Serbia.

The formation of the Laboratory is in accordance with the already existing long-term cooperation of the Institute for Biological Research „Siniša Stanković“ with the Shanghai Institute Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Science. This cooperation was especially intensified after the signing of the Memorandum of Mutual Cooperation between scientific institutes and faculties of China and Serbia, in Belgrade 11th April, 2019, on the base of which at the initiative of SIMM and IBISS, the PANDA association (Pan-Balkan Alliance of Natural Products and Drug Discovery Associations) was formed. The founding agreement was signed in Shanghai during the "Belt and Road" International Symposium of Science and Technology Innovation on 26th September, 2019, and was verified in Belgrade on 8th October, 2019. Today, members of this non-governmental, non-profit, open and international scientific alliance counts representatives from PR China and 13 Pan-Balkan countries (Republic of Serbia, Republic of Slovenia, Republic of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Republic of Bulgaria, Montenegro, Republic of North Macedonia, Republic of Albania, Greece, Portuguese Republic, Republic of Turkey, and Romania). After opening of PANDA Secretariat in Shanghai in 2019, IBISS formed PANDA Secretariat in Belgrade 2020. Also, PANDA became one of the members of ANSO (Association of National Scientific Organization) and is the only professional association that focuses on new researches and drug development within the ANSO Association.