Hong Kong's Largest Biotech Delegation Heads to BIO 2026 in San Diego

Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), in collaboration with InvestHK and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), has led the city's largest-ever delegation of 41 life and health technology innovators to the BIO International Convention 2026 (BIO 2026) in San Diego. The delegation includes top universities—The University of Hong Kong, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and City University of Hong Kong—along with research institutes and university spin-offs. This record expansion showcases Hong Kong's strengths in AI-enabled biotech, therapeutics, diagnostics, and pharma innovation, highlighting potential 'First-in-Class' and 'Best-in-Class' assets. The city aims to reinforce its status as Asia's largest and the world's second largest fundraising hub for biotechnology.

Key highlights include three major strategic partnerships signed at BIO 2026. HKSTP signed an MOU with LabCentral, a leading non-profit biotech incubator, to deepen U.S.-Hong Kong life sciences ecosystem ties through startup support and co-developed programmes. Immuno Cure, developer of the first-in-human novel therapeutic HIV vaccine ICVAX, announced a collaboration with OPIS, an international Contract Research Organization (CRO), to support overseas clinical trials and international expansion. Zhaoke Ophthalmology signed an MOU with Laboratório Teuto, Brazil's first generic and OTC medicines producer, to explore cross-border cooperation in ophthalmology, marking Zhaoke's first strategic MOU in Brazil. Additionally, HKSTP CEO Terry Wong participated in a panel on 'Translating Innovation Across Borders,' and the delegation visited the Salk Institute and hosted a Global Mixer with industry leaders like Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson Innovation, and Roche.

In the lead-up to BIO 2026, HKSTP co-organised 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 globally scalable healthcare solutions. The delegation's activities at BIO 2026 demonstrate Hong Kong's role as a super-connector, bridging global innovators with opportunities across Asia. With over 300 life and health technology companies in its ecosystem, HKSTP continues to accelerate the journey from discovery to impact, turning innovation breakthroughs into life-changing solutions for communities worldwide.