Shanghai’s New Chapter

A planned science and technology innovation board on the Shanghai Stock Exchange could provide another route to public funding for Chinese life science companies within a matter of months. While the exchange may not compete with the Hong Kong stock exchange and NASDAQ for global biotech listings anytime soon, it may be a destination for companies that have not been able to access those markets.

The proposed board was first announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping in November and approved by China's government on Jan. 23. As a priority of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, the board is likely to get off the ground quickly. ...