The National Engineering Research Center for the Development of Biotechnology in Shenzhen was established in 1998 by the government of Shenzhen, after support from the National Engineering Research Center for Biotechnology and approval by the Ministry of Science & Technology. In 2006, the National Engineering Research Center for Biotechnology (Shenzhen) was embedded into SZU. It has since become an independent research institute within SZU, but remains closely linked to the SZU teaching and research missions. In 2009, the Center was embedded into the School of Medicine and subsequently into the SZU HSC.

The SZU Engineering Research Center for Biotechnology (also known as the Biochemical Center), predominantly engages in recombinant medicine — namely, recombinant antigen and antibody production, genetic diagnoses and development of immunoassay products. The Biochemical Center has established a complete system for transformation and development of biotechnology medicine, with established genetic engineering, pilot study development and new commercialization platforms that fully meets the needs for basic, demonstration and comprehensive research, as well as education and talent cultivation in the field.