X-Bionic has signed a landmark deal in China, naming Beijing Sanfo Outdoor Products as its exclusive strategic partner for the launch of a new X-Bionic 4.0 collection in the country's market. The two partners have also agreed to set up their own research and development center, the Nature Mimicry Research and Development Center, to look into bionic technologies for functional garments that can improve athletic performance and quality of life. Sanfo operates 40 stores in China, the biggest of them covers 2,000 square meters in Shanghai. Its stores offer about 450 brands. The company organizes events in 12 cities that attract about 200,000 participants each year.