Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), in collaboration with InvestHK, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), and five leading 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, comprising 41 organizations from HKSTP's park companies, research institutes, and university spin-offs, showcased Hong Kong's strength in AI-enabled biotech, therapeutics, diagnostics, and pharma innovation.
Building on last year's momentum, the 2026 Hong Kong delegation doubled the size of the Hong Kong Pavilion, expanding to a record 41 organizations. This landmark presence underscored Hong Kong's role as Asia's largest and the world's second-largest fundraising hub for the biotechnology sector. Mr. Terry Wong, CEO of HKSTP, emphasized the significance of BIO 2026 as a platform to showcase Hong Kong's innovation and deepen partnerships, positioning the city as a super-connector bridging global innovators with opportunities across Asia.
Key highlights included the signing of three major strategic partnerships. LabCentral, one of the largest global non-profit biotech incubators, signed an MOU with HKSTP to support life sciences startups through lab infrastructure and community programs, deepening ties between U.S. and Hong Kong ecosystems. Immuno Cure, developer of a first-in-human therapeutic HIV vaccine ICVAX, announced a collaboration with OPIS, an international CRO, to support overseas clinical trial execution. Zhaoke Ophthalmology signed an MOU with Laboratório Teuto, Brazil's first generic medicine producer, to explore cross-border cooperation in ophthalmology, marking Zhaoke's first strategic MOU in the Brazilian market.
Beyond the pavilion, HKSTP CEO Terry Wong participated in a panel on translating innovation across borders, sharing insights on biotech trends and Hong Kong's strengths. HKSTP and university delegates visited the Salk Institute to explore partnerships. A Global Mixer hosted by HKSTP and InvestHK brought together industry leaders, incubators, and venture capital firms, including Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson Innovation, and Roche, for startup pitching and networking events focused on commercialization and international market expansion.
In the lead-up to BIO 2026, HKSTP co-organized the 2026 Biomedical Pitch Competition with the Boston Capital Investment Club. HKSTP park company Meta Pharmaceuticals (HK) Limited won Third Place for its next-generation autoimmune therapeutics, highlighting the strength of Hong Kong's biotech pipeline. Hong Kong continues to expand its global healthcare footprint as the world's second-largest biotech fundraising hub, with HKSTP home to over 300 life and health technology companies. For more information about HKSTP, visit www.hkstp.org.
