Ascent-Corporate Social Responsibility

Ascent Research is a pioneering life science company dedicated to advancing cell technology. As your trusted research partner, we deliver rigorously validated cell products, including cancer cell lines, primary cells, immortalized cells, and gene-edited cells, and provide full-spectrum translational research services. Our offerings cover cell line development and characterization, supported by cutting-edge gene editing platforms, high-throughput cell analysis, and clinically proven biomanufacturing solutions. We adhere to transparent cooperation and fully support the advancement of key biological research.

Our core mission is to safeguard scientific discoveries through rigorously validated cell products and expert technical support. We help researchers overcome the limitations of treatment development and biomedical innovation with reliable and high-performance solutions. Our vision is to become the most trusted partner in the life sciences field, based on cutting-edge science, guided by quality, and fostering deep partnerships that promote meaningful scientific breakthroughs for present and future generations.

At present, our quality assurance, precision, and sustainable cell solutions are sparking a revolution in the field of biotechnology, helping scientists move towards a broader future. All of these are guided by five core values: Accountable, Sustainable, Client-oriented, Ethical standards,  Nurturing growth, and Trustworthy (ASCENT). These values run through all aspects of our work, ensuring that all efforts are closely aligned with the core principles that drive progress in life sciences, injecting responsibility and innovation into industry development.

Based on our commitment to sustainable development and operational excellence, Ascent prioritizes implementing strong waste reduction plans and energy-saving measures in all facilities. These efforts aim to minimize the impact on the environment while improving the efficiency of resource utilization. The corresponding key measures include optimizing waste management practices, adopting advanced technologies to improve energy efficiency in laboratory operations, promoting circular economy principles to reduce reliance on disposable laboratory items, and so on.

We have achieved significant reductions in energy consumption and waste generation through multiple innovative solutions, such as integrating smart HVAC systems and selecting reusable alternatives for disposable laboratory supplies. In addition, we will continue to invest in employee training and improving experimental processes to ensure that these practices are integrated into daily operations. In the future, we will continue to strive to advance our sustainable development environmental goals, including achieving carbon neutrality and not using unnecessary disposable plastics, to fulfill our responsibility and strive for a greener and more sustainable future.

We have integrated environmental awareness into every step of the procurement process. We prioritize suppliers and equipment that meet strict ecological standards to ensure that every decision supports our broader environmental goals. Our sustainable procurement principles not only include the procurement of energy-saving laboratory tools, biodegradable materials, and recyclable component products, but also emphasize the development of animal-free media, which is a key step in reducing our dependence on animal-sourced resources in our operations. We actively choose sustainable packaging for product transportation where feasible, and prioritize recyclable materials in all transportation processes to minimize resource waste at each stage.

We work closely with suppliers committed to reducing their carbon footprint, using their environmental certifications, waste reduction practices, and ethical procurement agreements as core evaluation criteria. This approach promotes innovation in the adoption of green technologies while maximizing resource utilization efficiency. We gradually phase out non-essential disposable items by incorporating sustainability into the procurement lifecycle assessment, and incorporate environmental awareness choices into our daily work processes. Ascent will continue to deepen its partnerships with eco-certified manufacturers, advocate for transparent supply chains, and empower teams to prioritize the most environmentally friendly solutions in problem-solving processes. Through these measures, we have demonstrated that environmentally sustainable and excellent procurement is not only compatible but also a catalyst for progress.

Ascent is committed to minimizing its impact on the environment through proactive waste management and carbon reduction measures. We actively reduce our carbon footprint by optimizing operational efficiency, adopting energy-saving technologies, and prioritizing low-emission logistics across facilities. To ensure responsible management of laboratory resources, we strictly dispose of all materials and establish strict recycling protocols. We adhere to global environmental standards and maximize the principles of reuse and circular economy, including through innovative procurement practices and the use of alternative materials to further reduce reliance on disposable laboratory items.

At the same time, we invest in long-term research and focus on developing sustainable alternatives, such as durable cell lines and efficient reagents. This not only enhances the rigor of our scientific experiments but also greatly reduces unnecessary experiments and waste. These efforts can support our goal of gradually phasing out non-essential disposable items, while further reducing our reliance on disposable laboratory supplies through scalable and environmentally friendly solutions. Through advanced tracking systems, we are able to monitor waste streams and energy consumption in real-time, continuously improving our operational practices and achieving sustainable development goals.

Ascent is committed to combining cutting-edge innovation with ethical responsibility. The key to this work is to develop advanced cell models, including organoids and gene-edited cell lines, to significantly reduce reliance on animal experiments. These scientific research tools not only improve the accuracy of our research but also fulfill our commitment to promoting animal-free methods and cultivating more humane and sustainable scientific ecosystems.

Our goal is to accelerate the development of alternatives to traditional animal models through investment in biotechnology and partnerships. Our initiatives include rigorous validation of cell-based detection methods, providing training programs for researchers, and an open-access platform for sharing methods globally. Excellent research and compassionate management can drive transformative progress, ensuring that our tools enable global scientists to achieve breakthrough results with minimal environmental and ethical impact.

At Ascent, investing in employees is a fundamental approach to achieving sustainable success. Our commitment to employee benefits is mainly reflected in competitive compensation, fair working hours, and a corporate culture that prioritizes teamwork and mutual respect. In addition to basic benefits, we also promote personal and career development through various measures, including but not limited to 15 days of paid annual leave, allowing employees to pursue certification, courses, or skill development opportunities that meet their wishes and needs.

In order to promote the comprehensive development of our employees, we hold monthly skill-sharing sessions to facilitate the exchange of professional knowledge in different fields, from culinary arts to photography, creating a dynamic knowledge exchange platform that goes beyond traditional roles. These projects not only strengthen the camaraderie and collaboration among employees but also reinforce our belief that a comprehensive and focused team will effectively drive innovation.

Ascent creates a thriving environment for employees through fair compensation, harmonious work-life relationships, and opportunities for lifelong learning. We are committed to ensuring that every employee feels valued and supported here and believes that they can make meaningful contributions to our shared mission.

Ascent is committed to prioritizing customer success through comprehensive support in order to establish sustainable partnerships. Our commitment is not limited to product delivery, but also to providing the laboratory with the tools and expertise needed for impactful research. We offer free professional training programs, such as cell cryopreservation seminars, to provide cutting-edge technical skills support for new and existing partners, ensuring they can adopt the most advanced methods.

We are able to recognize the diversity of scientific needs and provide tailored solutions for our clients. We will align with the laboratory goals aimed at specific clients and make our contributions to clients from protocol optimization to scalable workflow design. In addition, our technical guidance program provides 24/7 resource access, practical insights, and order management support to minimize operational barriers for customers and accelerate their project progress. Ascent continuously strengthens the thriving collaborative ecosystem of its customers. These efforts reflect our belief that supporting scientific progress requires not only innovative products but also an unwavering commitment to knowledge renewal and the development of long-term partnerships.

At Ascent, we recognize that breakthroughs in science and sustainable development rely on effective collaborative ecosystems. To advance this vision, we have launched an open "Cell Culture Problem Diagnosis" service. This is a platform that provides free technical support and collaboration for researchers worldwide to help them tackle complex scientific challenges. This measure not only accelerates our search for solutions but also promotes knowledge exchange in the scientific community, which is consistent with our commitment to open innovation.

Internally, we support a flat management structure to ensure that every voice here can be heard and drive overall progress. Our laboratory technicians, engineers, and researchers can directly participate in product improvement forums, linking their expertise with the company's strategic development. By eliminating hierarchical barriers, we have cultivated a corporate culture where different perspectives can drive user-centered innovation and operational improvement. These efforts emphasize our belief that collaboration within the team and across the entire scientific field is crucial for achieving sustainable impact. By sharing professional knowledge and inclusive practices, Ascent aims to promote progress that benefits the industry, society, and the planet.

Ascent's commitment to ethical science is deeply rooted in a rigorous governance framework that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and social responsibility. We implement strict biological material procurement agreements to ensure that all suppliers comply with globally recognized ethical standards and legal requirements. Our procurement policy explicitly prohibits the establishment of partnerships with entities involved in controversial behavior, such as the trade of gene-edited germ cells or other controversial products.

In order to maintain the integrity of our research, we have established an independent ethics review committee specifically responsible for overseeing project approvals and ensuring that everyone adheres to the guidelines. All of our employees receive ethical training every year to emphasize responsible innovation. By incorporating ethical considerations into every aspect, Ascent proved that scientific progress and moral progress are inseparable. This not only reduces our moral hazard but also enhances trust between us and stakeholders, making us pioneers of principled progress in the biotechnology industry.

Ascent's commitment to excellence can be seen in uncompromising quality control. We provide comprehensive quality control documents for all products to ensure full traceability and compliance with certification agreements. We publicly disclose product restrictions to enable customers to make informed choices and cultivate their trust in us through honesty. Our accountability mechanism is to conduct mandatory STR certification for every distributed cell line, including cancer cell lines, and attach validated STR reports. We provide 10 times compensation for counterfeit and inferior products, and have zero tolerance for inaccuracy. These efforts not only ensure the reliability of our research but also strengthen our reputation as a reliable manager. By prioritizing transparency and strict governance, we ensure that every product adheres to scientific rigor and ethical responsibility, driving progress with unwavering integrity.

Ascent prioritizes compliance with international standards to ensure research reliability and operational transparency. We strictly adhere to ANSI/ATCC standards, including ASN-0002-2022 and ASN-0003-2015, for cell line certification, ensuring genetic accuracy and traceability. Our strict quality control protocols, including PCR, qPCR, and Sanger sequencing, are implemented at every stage of production to verify product integrity. By aligning with globally recognized frameworks, we not only meet regulatory expectations but also strengthen trust among researchers. These efforts highlight our commitment to maintaining the highest ethical and technical standards, ensuring that every tool we provide supports credible science.

Ascent prioritizes establishing partnerships with entities that meet our commitment to scientific integrity. We implement strict due diligence protocols and refuse to provide cells or reagents to unethical research entities, including academic black markets such as paper writing institutions or organizations engaged in non-compliant biomedical practices.

We conduct thorough background checks on all our partners to assess their compliance with global regulations, academic ethics, and human subject protection standards. We will publish a list of excluded entities to reduce the risk of abuse and maintain the credibility of our research. Through these measures, Ascent will ensure that every collaboration promotes legitimate and impactful scientific research.

Ascent regards transparency as the foundation of stakeholder trust. We conduct rigorous annual evaluations of sustainable development initiatives, release public reports on various aspects to share progress, including reducing carbon footprint and improving ethical procurement indicators. In order to promote direct participation and feedback from all sectors of society, we have established specialized channels, including a 24/7 consultation platform ([email protected]), so that everyone can receive feedback on social responsibility practices. Our openness and commitment not only enhance credibility but also drive continuous improvement of the company, allowing stakeholders to work with us with confidence.

Ascent is building a multidimensional action framework for sustainable development. In the short term, we have four things to do: first, to make green procurement and logistics more stable. We will develop new packaging materials and optimize the procurement process to use more recyclable packaging and purchase more recyclable and reusable materials during transportation. Secondly, utilizing IoT technology to adjust equipment operation in real-time during laboratory operations. We will adopt more environmentally friendly scientific research tools to significantly reduce the energy consumption of research equipment; Thirdly, ensure the "full lifecycle" management of experimental consumables. We will closely monitor procurement and recycling to minimize the use of disposable items as much as possible; Fourthly, enhance the ability to cultivate talents. In addition to providing more employee skills training, we will also initiate more inclusive and open research projects to enable colleagues from different backgrounds to participate equally in innovation.

Our long-term goal is clear: to become the most sustainable benchmark enterprise in the field of cell technology. By strictly adhering to research ethics and green operations, we will promote more equitable and efficient global biomedical research. We will combine technological innovation with responsibility and truly contribute to the cause of human health.

To ensure the implementation of these plans, we will regularly release progress reports on corporate social responsibility, clearly explaining our work in areas such as environmental protection, social responsibility, and employee development. If you have any ideas, opinions, or suggestions about us, please feel free to send an email to [email protected]. We will communicate and work together to make it better!