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, comprising 41 organizations including partner companies, research institutes, and university spin-offs, showcased Hong Kong's strengths in AI-enabled biotech, therapeutics, diagnostics, and pharma innovation.
This year's Hong Kong Pavilion doubled in size compared to 2025, reflecting the city's growing prominence as Asia's largest and the world's second-largest fundraising hub for biotechnology. Mr. Terry Wong, CEO of HKSTP, emphasized the importance of BIO 2026 as a platform to showcase innovation and deepen partnerships. "As a super-connector, Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to bridge global innovators with opportunities across Asia and beyond," he said, citing Hong Kong's strong R&D capabilities and world-class universities, five of which are ranked among the QS Top 100.
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, announced a collaboration with OPIS, an international CRO, to support overseas clinical trial execution. Zhaoke Ophthalmology signed an MOU with Brazil's Laboratório Teuto 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 role in global startup expansion. HKSTP and university delegates also visited the Salk Institute to explore partnerships. A Global Mixer hosted by HKSTP, InvestHK, and 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, and Roche, for startup pitching and networking.
In the lead-up to BIO 2026, HKSTP co-organized the 2026 Biomedical Pitch Competition in Boston, where park company Meta Pharmaceuticals won third place for its next-generation autoimmune therapeutics. This recognition underscores Hong Kong's biotech pipeline strength and HKSTP's commitment to translational medicine and commercialisation.
As Hong Kong continues to expand its global healthcare footprint, HKSTP, home to over 300 life and health technology companies, remains a key driver of innovation. The delegation's success at BIO 2026 reinforces Hong Kong's status as an international healthcare innovation hub and a gateway to Asian markets.
