Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), in collaboration with InvestHK as co-organiser, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) as supporting organisation, and five renowned 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. Building on last year's momentum, the 2026 Hong Kong delegation doubled the size of the Hong Kong Pavilion, expanding to a record of 41 organisations from HKSTP, including partner companies, research institutes, and for the first time with top five universities spin-offs.
This landmark presence showcased Hong Kong's deep strength across AI-enabled biotech, therapeutics, diagnostics, and pharma innovation, with potential outstanding "First-in-Class" and "Best-in-Class" assets. The delegation underscores the city's leading role as Asia's largest and the world's second largest fundraising hub for the biotechnology sector. Mr. Terry Wong, CEO of HKSTP, said, "BIO 2026 is a premier platform to showcase Hong Kong's groundbreaking innovation, deepen partnerships, and open new pathways into global healthcare markets. As a super-connector, Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to bridge global innovators with opportunities across Asia and beyond."
A key highlight of BIO 2026 was the signing of three major strategic partnerships. HKSTP signed an MOU with LabCentral, one of the largest global non-profit biotech incubators, supporting life sciences startups with high-impact lab infrastructure and scientific community programmes. Immuno Cure, the developer of the first-in-human novel therapeutic HIV vaccine ICVAX, announced its collaboration with OPIS, an international Contract Research Organization (CRO), 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.
Beyond the Hong Kong Pavilion, HKSTP CEO Mr. Terry Wong attended the "Translating Innovation Across Borders: Creating Global Gateways for Biotech Startups" panel sharing session. HKSTP and five Hong Kong university delegates visited the Salk Institute, home to six Nobel Laureates, to explore partnerships. HKSTP, in collaboration with InvestHK and HKTDC, hosted a Global Mixer with industry leaders, incubators, and venture capital firms including Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson Innovation, LabCentral, Roche, Simcere Pharmaceutical, and T.Rx Capital.
In the lead-up to BIO 2026, HKSTP co-organised the 2026 Biomedical Pitch Competition with the Boston Capital Investment Club. Competing against around 170 biotechnology companies worldwide, HKSTP park company Meta Pharmaceuticals (HK) Limited won Third Place for its next-generation autoimmune therapeutics. This 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. As Hong Kong's flagship innovation and technology ecosystem, HKSTP is home to more than 300 life and health technology companies and helps innovators turn pioneering ideas into real-world impact. The delegation demonstrates Hong Kong's ability to connect capital, talent, infrastructure, and market access across the biotech innovation journey, further solidifying its position as a global gateway for biotech startups.
