On 20 September 2026, 51.ca published an institutional profile introducing the Norman Bethune International Institute of Canada for Healthcare Innovation (NBIIC-HI) and its development as a Canada-based platform for international research and healthcare collaboration.

The profile highlights NBIIC-HI’s work across scientific research, healthcare innovation, clinical and translational collaboration, talent development, and global partnerships. It also introduces selected collaborations with universities, hospitals, researchers, clinicians, and innovation partners, reflecting the Institute’s commitment to connecting expertise and opportunities across Canada, China, and the wider international community.

On 18 September 2026, Chen Deng, Founder and Executive Director of NBIIC-HI, and Professor Chunfu Zheng of the University of Calgary continued their discussions on scientific advisory engagement and future international collaboration in microbiology, immunology, infectious diseases, and biomedical research.

As Senior Scientific Consultant to NBIIC-HI, Professor Zheng contributes scientific insight and international research experience to support interdisciplinary dialogue, collaborative research development, and connections among researchers and institutional partners across the NBIIC-HI network.

On 16 September 2026, Chen Deng, Founder and Executive Director of NBIIC-HI, and Dr. Haihao Wang, President of Tongji Hospital Xianning Hospital, continued their discussions on clinical research, translational medicine, and international professional collaboration. Their professional relationship spans more than a decade and has included sustained academic exchange and research dialogue.

As Senior Clinical Consultant to NBIIC-HI, Dr. Wang brings extensive experience in cardiothoracic and vascular surgery, organ transplantation, regulatory T-cell biology, and tumor immunology. His clinical and institutional perspective supports the development of hospital-based research, international academic exchange, and clinically relevant collaborative initiatives across the NBIIC-HI network.

Chen Deng, Founder and Executive Director of NBIIC-HI, and Professor Benshun Hu of the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, together with colleagues from several research and clinical institutions, published a collaborative review in Frontiers in Pharmacology titled “ALKBH5 Inhibitors for Cancer Therapy: Molecular Docking, Challenges and Future Prospects.”

The article examines the biological and structural characteristics of ALKBH5, the molecular interactions between reported inhibitors and their target protein, and the major challenges involved in developing selective ALKBH5 inhibitors. It also highlights future opportunities in structure-guided drug design, combination therapies, and the clinical translation of ALKBH5-targeted strategies for precision cancer treatment.

On 4 August 2026, Chen Deng, Founder and Executive Director of NBIIC-HI, and Professor Gary Sweeney continued their strategic discussions on the institute’s research priorities, international academic engagement, and the development of cross-border scientific collaboration.

As Senior Scientific Consultant to NBIIC-HI, Professor Sweeney provides ongoing scientific and strategic input to support the institute’s international research network, identify meaningful collaborative opportunities, and strengthen connections among researchers, clinicians, and institutional partners.

Between 22 and 24 July 2026, NBIIC-HI entered into international medical collaboration agreements with West China Lecheng Hospital, Sichuan University, and Ciming Boao International Hospital. The agreements established the West China Lecheng Hospital–NBIIC-HI International Medical Collaboration Center and the Ciming Boao International Hospital–NBIIC-HI International Medical Collaboration Center.

The collaborations provide a framework for responsible cross-border healthcare communication, international referral coordination, hospital and specialist connections, professional exchange, and the development of selected clinical, translational, and institutional initiatives between Canada and China.

On 30 June 2026, Chen Deng, Founder and Executive Director of NBIIC-HI, and Professor Meng Meng of Tianjin University of Science and Technology, together with their colleagues, published a collaborative review in Bioengineering titled “Engineering Protease-Resistant Peptides via Non-Canonical Amino Acids: Design Strategies and Biosynthetic Advances.”

The article examines design strategies and biosynthetic approaches for incorporating non-canonical amino acids into peptides to enhance protease resistance, stability, and therapeutic potential. The publication reflects NBIIC-HI’s commitment to synthetic biology, peptide engineering, interdisciplinary research, and international academic collaboration.

On 17 June 2026, Chen Deng, Founder and Executive Director of NBIIC-HI, and Dr. Lei Zheng, representing Nankai University, marked the establishment of the NBIIC-HI–Nankai University Core Laboratory Collaboration in Tianjin. The collaboration provides a long-term framework for international research cooperation, academic exchange, interdisciplinary project development, technical collaboration, and talent development.

Built on shared interests in life sciences, biomedical research, and healthcare innovation, the platform is designed to support collaborative research, international grants and project development, nanomedicine and bioconjugation, drug-delivery technologies, preclinical validation, and responsible translation.

Effective 1 January 2026, Chen Deng, Founder and Executive Director of NBIIC-HI, was appointed Visiting Professor at the Guangxi Clinical Medical Research Center for Hepatobiliary Diseases for a five-year term extending through 31 December 2030.

In connection with the appointment, a letter of intent for research grant application collaboration was also signed, establishing a framework for future cooperation in collaborative grant development, hepatobiliary disease research, translational oncology, scientific exchange, and international project development.