Hong Kong Leads Largest Delegation to BIO 2026, Showcasing Life and Health Tech Strength
The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation led a record 41-organization delegation to BIO 2026, highlighting Hong Kong's growing role as a global biotech hub through partnerships, university spin-offs, and strategic collaborations.
Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), in collaboration with InvestHK and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, led the city's largest-ever delegation of life and health technology innovators to the BIO International Convention 2026 in San Diego from June 22 to 25. The delegation, comprising 41 organizations including partner companies, research institutes, and university spin-offs, underscored Hong Kong's strength across 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. For the first time, top five local 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—joined with their spin-offs. This landmark presence showcased potential outstanding 'First-in-Class' and 'Best-in-Class' assets, reinforcing Hong Kong's status as Asia's largest and the world's second largest fundraising hub for biotechnology.
Mr. Terry Wong, CEO of HKSTP, emphasized the significance 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 backed by world-class universities, five ranked among the QS Top 100, including two with medical schools now placed in the global top 20.
Key highlights included the signing of three major strategic partnerships. HKSTP signed a memorandum of understanding with LabCentral, one of the largest global non-profit biotech incubators, to support life sciences startups with lab infrastructure and community programs. Immuno Cure, developer of a first-in-human novel therapeutic HIV vaccine, announced a collaboration with OPIS, an international Contract Research Organization, to support overseas clinical trial execution. Zhaoke Ophthalmology signed an MOU with Laboratório Teuto, the first company to produce generic medicines and OTCs in Brazil, to explore cross-border cooperation in ophthalmology, marking Zhaoke's first strategic MOU in the Brazilian market.
Beyond the pavilion, Mr. Wong participated in a panel on 'Translating Innovation Across Borders: Creating Global Gateways for Biotech Startups,' sharing insights on biotech trends and Hong Kong's strengths. HKSTP and five Hong Kong university delegates visited the Salk Institute, home to six Nobel Laureates, to explore partnerships. A Global Mixer hosted industry leaders from Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson Innovation, LabCentral, Roche, Simcere Pharmaceutical, and T.Rx Capital, who judged startup pitching sessions and facilitated networking for commercialisation and investment.
In the lead-up to BIO 2026, HKSTP co-organised 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, competing against around 170 biotechnology companies worldwide. The recognition underscores the strength of Hong Kong's biotech pipeline and HKSTP's commitment to translational medicine and globally scalable healthcare solutions.
Hong Kong continues to expand its global healthcare footprint as the world's second-largest biotech fundraising hub. HKSTP is home to more than 300 life and health technology companies, helping innovators turn pioneering ideas into real-world impact. The ecosystem connects capital, talent, infrastructure, and market access across the biotech innovation journey.