4 April, 2023
AstraZeneca Partners Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks to Foster City’s Healthcare Innovation Ecosystem
Leading HK in pioneering life science innovation in Greater Bay Area, and setting an example for the region
AstraZeneca, a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company, and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks (HKSTP) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) expanding their partnership to foster a healthcare innovation ecosystem in Hong Kong.
The MOU builds on AstraZeneca and HKSTP’s existing collaborations since 2021 and will see the two parties providing support and services, as well as connecting their networks to start-up companies under HKSTP’s co-incubation program.
The parties will also work together to attract more overseas and China mainland companies to HKSTP, with the aim of connecting them with hospitals and key opinion leaders in the Greater Bay Area, as well as with universities in Hong Kong.
The MOU was signed by Shan Wu, General Manager of AstraZeneca Hong Kong and Macau, and Mr. Albert Wong, Chief Executive Officer of HKSTP, at a ceremony witnessed by Pascal Soriot, Chief Executive Officer of AstraZeneca, Leon Wang, Executive Vice President, International and China President of AstraZeneca, and Dr. Sunny Chai, Chairman of HKSTP.
Mr. Leon Wang, Executive Vice President, International and China President of AstraZeneca, said: "AstraZeneca believes in the powerful potential of Hong Kong as an innovation hub for the world. As a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that has been in Hong Kong for over three decades, we are pleased to be expanding our collaboration with HKSTP to further nurture and accelerate the development of local healthcare innovation, for Hong Kong and worldwide."
Ms. Lillian Cheong, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, said: "Promoting the development of I&T is of top priorities of the SAR Government. The National 14th Five-Year Plan also provides staunch support for Hong Kong's development as an international I&T hub. The SAR Government proposed to focus on industries with an edge including life and health technology, and formulate attractive special facilitation measures to attract prominent companies to set foot in Hong Kong or expand their existing businesses here. I am pleased to see the collaboration between AZHK and HKSTP which is not only a testament to Hong Kong’s great R&D capabilities in life and health technology, but also demonstrates the co-operation between the upstream and downstream sectors. I look forward to joining hands with all of you to fully seize the golden development opportunities ahead."
Dr Sunny Chai, Chairman of HKSTP served as one of the witnesses and expressed his delight in witnessing the collaboration between HKSTP and AstraZeneca in building a healthcare innovation ecosystem in Hong Kong. “Biotechnology is important not only to Hong Kong’s economic development but also humankind. Aligning with the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint, HKSTP is fully committed to pioneering its success by welcoming talent, companies and investment globally to benefit from Hong Kong’s established track record in R&D, advanced manufacturing as well as commercialisation. This latest agreement is another major milestone in our partnership with AstraZeneca and further builds upon the positive momentum within HKSTP’s biotechnology ecosystem.”
In his 2022 Policy Address, John Lee, Chief Executive of The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), had emphasized the city's commitment to fostering innovation and technology. This commitment is shared by AstraZeneca and HKSTP, which aims to partner the HKSAR government to improve the healthcare ecosystem in Hong Kong, and further strengthen and foster local and regional healthcare innovations.
Under the MOU, AstraZeneca will offer consultation to companies on establishing international offices in Hong Kong, and supporting overseas investors in connecting with HKSTP co-incubation programs. Roadshow sessions at HKSTP will also be held to forge non-traditional partnerships across geographical boundaries, facilitate collaborations, and open up new opportunities to enhance innovations.
Other attendees at the MOU signing included Alec Van Gelder, Regional Head of Corporate Affairs, International of AstraZeneca, Grahm Ho, Head of Government Affairs and Market Access, AstraZeneca Hong Kong, Dr. Grace Lau, Head of Biomedical Technology Cluster of HKSTP, and Carol Liu, Associate Director of IncuBio and Medical Devices, ITR (Biomed Tech), HKSTP.
Mr. Albert Wong, CEO of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks (left, front row) and Ms. Shan Wu, General Manager, AstraZeneca Hong Kong and Macau (right, front row) signed the Co-incubation Programme.
Witnessed by Dr. Sunny Chai, BBS, JP, Chairman, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (2nd from left, 2nd row), Ms. Lillian Cheong, JP, Under Secretary, Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (middle, 2nd row), Sir. Pascal SORIOT, Chief Executive of AstraZeneca (2nd from right, 2nd row), Mr. Leon Wang, Executive Vice President, International and China President, AstraZeneca (right, 2nd row) and Dr. Grace Lau, Head of Institute for Translational Research Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (left, 2nd row).
Ms. Lillian Cheong, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, said: "Promoting the development of I&T is of top priorities of the SAR Government. The National 14th Five-Year Plan also provides staunch support for Hong Kong's development as an international I&T hub.”
Dr Sunny Chai, Chairman of HKSTP served as one of the witnesses and expressed his delight in witnessing the collaboration. “HKSTP is fully committed to pioneering its success by welcoming talent, companies and investment globally to benefit from Hong Kong’s established track record in R&D, advanced manufacturing as well as commercialisation.”
Mr. Leon Wang, Executive Vice President, International and China President of AstraZeneca, said: "AstraZeneca believes in the powerful potential of Hong Kong as an innovation hub for the world. As a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that has been in Hong Kong for over three decades, we are pleased to be expanding our collaboration with HKSTP to further nurture and accelerate the development of local healthcare innovation, for Hong Kong and worldwide."
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries, and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. For more information, please visit www.AstraZeneca.com.hk.
The MOU builds on AstraZeneca and HKSTP’s existing collaborations since 2021 and will see the two parties providing support and services, as well as connecting their networks to start-up companies under HKSTP’s co-incubation program.
The parties will also work together to attract more overseas and China mainland companies to HKSTP, with the aim of connecting them with hospitals and key opinion leaders in the Greater Bay Area, as well as with universities in Hong Kong.
The MOU was signed by Shan Wu, General Manager of AstraZeneca Hong Kong and Macau, and Mr. Albert Wong, Chief Executive Officer of HKSTP, at a ceremony witnessed by Pascal Soriot, Chief Executive Officer of AstraZeneca, Leon Wang, Executive Vice President, International and China President of AstraZeneca, and Dr. Sunny Chai, Chairman of HKSTP.
Mr. Leon Wang, Executive Vice President, International and China President of AstraZeneca, said: "AstraZeneca believes in the powerful potential of Hong Kong as an innovation hub for the world. As a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that has been in Hong Kong for over three decades, we are pleased to be expanding our collaboration with HKSTP to further nurture and accelerate the development of local healthcare innovation, for Hong Kong and worldwide."
Ms. Lillian Cheong, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, said: "Promoting the development of I&T is of top priorities of the SAR Government. The National 14th Five-Year Plan also provides staunch support for Hong Kong's development as an international I&T hub. The SAR Government proposed to focus on industries with an edge including life and health technology, and formulate attractive special facilitation measures to attract prominent companies to set foot in Hong Kong or expand their existing businesses here. I am pleased to see the collaboration between AZHK and HKSTP which is not only a testament to Hong Kong’s great R&D capabilities in life and health technology, but also demonstrates the co-operation between the upstream and downstream sectors. I look forward to joining hands with all of you to fully seize the golden development opportunities ahead."
Dr Sunny Chai, Chairman of HKSTP served as one of the witnesses and expressed his delight in witnessing the collaboration between HKSTP and AstraZeneca in building a healthcare innovation ecosystem in Hong Kong. “Biotechnology is important not only to Hong Kong’s economic development but also humankind. Aligning with the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint, HKSTP is fully committed to pioneering its success by welcoming talent, companies and investment globally to benefit from Hong Kong’s established track record in R&D, advanced manufacturing as well as commercialisation. This latest agreement is another major milestone in our partnership with AstraZeneca and further builds upon the positive momentum within HKSTP’s biotechnology ecosystem.”
In his 2022 Policy Address, John Lee, Chief Executive of The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), had emphasized the city's commitment to fostering innovation and technology. This commitment is shared by AstraZeneca and HKSTP, which aims to partner the HKSAR government to improve the healthcare ecosystem in Hong Kong, and further strengthen and foster local and regional healthcare innovations.
Under the MOU, AstraZeneca will offer consultation to companies on establishing international offices in Hong Kong, and supporting overseas investors in connecting with HKSTP co-incubation programs. Roadshow sessions at HKSTP will also be held to forge non-traditional partnerships across geographical boundaries, facilitate collaborations, and open up new opportunities to enhance innovations.
Other attendees at the MOU signing included Alec Van Gelder, Regional Head of Corporate Affairs, International of AstraZeneca, Grahm Ho, Head of Government Affairs and Market Access, AstraZeneca Hong Kong, Dr. Grace Lau, Head of Biomedical Technology Cluster of HKSTP, and Carol Liu, Associate Director of IncuBio and Medical Devices, ITR (Biomed Tech), HKSTP.
Mr. Albert Wong, CEO of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks (left, front row) and Ms. Shan Wu, General Manager, AstraZeneca Hong Kong and Macau (right, front row) signed the Co-incubation Programme.
Witnessed by Dr. Sunny Chai, BBS, JP, Chairman, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (2nd from left, 2nd row), Ms. Lillian Cheong, JP, Under Secretary, Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (middle, 2nd row), Sir. Pascal SORIOT, Chief Executive of AstraZeneca (2nd from right, 2nd row), Mr. Leon Wang, Executive Vice President, International and China President, AstraZeneca (right, 2nd row) and Dr. Grace Lau, Head of Institute for Translational Research Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (left, 2nd row).
Ms. Lillian Cheong, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, said: "Promoting the development of I&T is of top priorities of the SAR Government. The National 14th Five-Year Plan also provides staunch support for Hong Kong's development as an international I&T hub.”
Dr Sunny Chai, Chairman of HKSTP served as one of the witnesses and expressed his delight in witnessing the collaboration. “HKSTP is fully committed to pioneering its success by welcoming talent, companies and investment globally to benefit from Hong Kong’s established track record in R&D, advanced manufacturing as well as commercialisation.”
Mr. Leon Wang, Executive Vice President, International and China President of AstraZeneca, said: "AstraZeneca believes in the powerful potential of Hong Kong as an innovation hub for the world. As a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that has been in Hong Kong for over three decades, we are pleased to be expanding our collaboration with HKSTP to further nurture and accelerate the development of local healthcare innovation, for Hong Kong and worldwide."
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries, and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. For more information, please visit www.AstraZeneca.com.hk.