Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) led the city's largest-ever delegation of life and health technology innovators to the BIO International Convention 2026 (BIO 2026) in San Diego from June 22 to 25. The delegation, co-organized with InvestHK and supported by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and five top local universities, included 41 organizations from HKSTP, doubling the size of last year's Hong Kong Pavilion. This landmark presence underscored Hong Kong's deep strength across AI-enabled biotech, therapeutics, diagnostics, and pharma innovation, with potential outstanding "First-in-Class" and "Best-in-Class" assets.
Mr. Terry Wong, CEO of HKSTP, stated, "BIO 2026 is a premier platform to showcase Hong Kong's groundbreaking innovation, deepen partnerships, and open new pathways into global healthcare markets. As a super-connector, Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to bridge global innovators with opportunities across Asia and beyond." He highlighted the city's strong R&D capabilities backed by world-class universities, with five ranked among the QS Top 100 and two medical schools in the global top 20.
Key highlights included the signing of three major strategic partnerships. HKSTP signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with LabCentral, one of the largest global non-profit biotech incubators, to deepen ties between the U.S. and Hong Kong life sciences ecosystems through startup support, ecosystem engagement, and co-developed programs. Immuno Cure, developer of a first-in-human novel therapeutic HIV vaccine ICVAX, announced a collaboration with OPIS, an international Contract Research Organization (CRO), to support overseas clinical trial execution and global expansion. Zhaoke Ophthalmology signed an MOU with Laboratório Teuto, the first company to produce generic medicines and OTCs in Brazil, to explore cross-border cooperation in ophthalmology, marking its first strategic MOU in the Brazilian market.
Beyond the pavilion, Mr. Wong participated in a panel titled "Translating Innovation Across Borders: Creating Global Gateways for Biotech Startups." HKSTP and five university delegates also visited the Salk Institute, home to six Nobel Laureates, to explore partnerships. A Global Mixer hosted by HKSTP and partners brought together industry leaders, incubators, and venture capital firms, including Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson Innovation, LabCentral, Roche, Simcere Pharmaceutical, and T.Rx Capital, for startup pitching sessions and networking events focused on commercialization, licensing, and investment.
In the lead-up to BIO 2026, HKSTP co-organized the 2026 Biomedical Pitch Competition with the Boston Capital Investment Club in Boston on May 23 and 24. Competing against around 170 biotechnology companies worldwide, HKSTP park company Meta Pharmaceuticals (HK) Limited won Third Place for its next-generation autoimmune therapeutics, underscoring Hong Kong's biotech pipeline strength.
Hong Kong continues to expand its global healthcare footprint as the world's second-largest biotech fundraising hub. HKSTP is home to more than 300 life and health technology companies and provides comprehensive support for innovation, from research to commercialization. The delegation's success at BIO 2026 reinforces Hong Kong's status as an international healthcare innovation hub and its ability to bridge global innovators with opportunities across Asia and beyond.
