Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), in collaboration with InvestHK, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), and five top local universities, 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 featured 41 organizations, including HKSTP partner companies, research institutes, and—for the first time—spin-offs from the University of Hong Kong, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and City University of Hong Kong.
Building on last year's momentum, the Hong Kong Pavilion doubled in size, showcasing the city's deep strength across AI-enabled biotech, therapeutics, diagnostics, and pharma innovation, with potential "First-in-Class" and "Best-in-Class" assets. The delegation underscores Hong Kong's status as Asia's largest and the world's second-largest fundraising hub for biotechnology. Mr. Terry Wong, CEO of HKSTP, highlighted Hong Kong's unique position as a super-connector bridging global innovators with Asia and beyond, backed by world-class R&D capabilities and five QS Top 100 universities.
Key highlights included three major strategic partnerships announced at BIO 2026. HKSTP signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with LabCentral, one of the largest global non-profit biotech incubators, to support life sciences startups through lab infrastructure and ecosystem engagement. Immuno Cure, developer of the first-in-human therapeutic HIV vaccine ICVAX, partnered with OPIS, an international Contract Research Organization (CRO), to support overseas clinical trial execution. Zhaoke Ophthalmology signed an MOU with Laboratório Teuto, Brazil's first generic medicines producer, to explore cross-border cooperation in ophthalmology and bring advanced eye care treatments to Latin America.
Beyond the Pavilion, HKSTP CEO Terry Wong participated in a panel on "Translating Innovation Across Borders: Creating Global Gateways for Biotech Startups," sharing insights on Hong Kong's strengths and HKSTP's role in nurturing global startup expansion. HKSTP and university delegates also visited the Salk Institute to explore partnerships. A Global Mixer, co-organized with InvestHK and HKTDC and supported by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco, 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 and networking.
In the lead-up to BIO 2026, HKSTP co-organized the 2026 Biomedical Pitch Competition with the Boston Capital Investment Club, where HKSTP park company Meta Pharmaceuticals (HK) Limited won Third Place for its next-generation autoimmune therapeutics, underscoring the strength of Hong Kong's biotech pipeline. As the world's second-largest biotech fundraising hub, Hong Kong continues to expand its global healthcare footprint. HKSTP's ecosystem is home to over 300 life and health technology companies, connecting capital, talent, infrastructure, and market access across the innovation journey.
