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 including HKSTP partner companies, research institutes, and university spin-offs, doubled the size of the Hong Kong Pavilion compared to the previous year.
The expanded presence underscores Hong Kong's deep strength in AI-enabled biotech, therapeutics, diagnostics, and pharma innovation, with potential outstanding "First-in-Class" and "Best-in-Class" assets. The delegation highlights the city'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 that BIO 2026 is a premier platform to showcase Hong Kong's innovation, deepen partnerships, and open pathways into global healthcare markets.
A key highlight of BIO 2026 was 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 support life sciences startups with lab infrastructure and community programs, deepening ties between U.S. and Hong Kong ecosystems. Immuno Cure, developer of a first-in-human novel therapeutic HIV vaccine ICVAX, announced a collaboration with OPIS, an international Contract Research Organization, to support overseas clinical trial execution and global expansion. Zhaoke Ophthalmology signed an MOU with Laboratório Teuto, Brazil's first producer of generic medicines and OTCs, to explore cross-border cooperation in ophthalmology, marking Zhaoke's first strategic MOU in the Brazilian market.
Beyond the pavilion, HKSTP CEO Mr. Terry Wong participated in a panel session titled "Translating Innovation Across Borders: Creating Global Gateways for Biotech Startups," sharing insights on biotech trends and Hong Kong's strengths. HKSTP and five university delegates visited the Salk Institute, home to six Nobel Laureates, to explore partnerships. A Global Mixer was also hosted, featuring industry leaders such as Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson Innovation, LabCentral, Roche, Simcere Pharmaceutical, and T.Rx Capital, who joined judging panels for startup pitching sessions.
In the lead-up to BIO 2026, HKSTP co-organized the 2026 Biomedical Pitch Competition with the Boston Capital Investment Club. Competing against about 170 biotechnology companies, 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.
Hong Kong continues to expand its global healthcare footprint as the world's second-largest biotech fundraising hub. With more than 300 life and health technology companies within its ecosystem, HKSTP connects capital, talent, infrastructure, and market access across the biotech innovation journey. The delegation at BIO 2026 reinforces Hong Kong's status as an international healthcare innovation hub and its commitment to translating innovation into life-changing solutions.
