PolyU-Zhongshan Technology and Innovation Research Institute officially inaugurated, promoting development of biomedicine and health industry in the two cities

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the Zhongshan Municipal People’s Government (Zhongshan Government) held an inauguration ceremony of the PolyU-Zhongshan Technology and Innovation Research Institute (the Institute) on 20 May. This partnership marks a milestone in the collaboration between the two cities in biomedicine.

Prof. WONG Wing-tak, PolyU Deputy President and Provost; Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation); Prof. DONG Cheng, Associate Vice President (Mainland Research Advancement); Dr Laura LO, Associate Vice President (Institutional Advancement); and Prof. WONG Ka-Leung, Chair Professor of Chemistry and Director of the PolyU-Zhongshan Technology and Innovation Research Institute, along with Mr YE Hongguang, Member of the Party Leading Group of the Zhongshan Municipal People’s Government and Vice Mayor of Zhongshan City; Mr OUYANG Jinquan, Vice Mayor of Zhongshan City; Ms FENG Jinyi, Vice Chair of the Zhongshan Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference; Mr SHI Huandong, Director General of the Zhongshan Science and Technology Bureau; and Ms LUO Qidong, Secretary of the Party Working Committee of Cuiheng New District, jointly officiated at the ceremony. On the same occasion, the Institute signed agreements with several leading research institutions and domestic enterprises in Zhongshan to foster industry-academia-research collaboration.

With its focus on the biomedicine and health industry, the Institute will advance cutting-edge research in four key areas: innovative diagnostic drugs and medical devices, covering cancer diagnostic tools, nucleic acid-based targeting treatments and anti-infectives; new materials for biomedicine that promote the introduction of AI-assisted imaging diagnostics and drug delivery system for cancer treatment; biomedical engineering technology for spinal health, which includes innovation in smart wearable devices, new materials for functional clothes and rehabilitation robots; as well as the development of animal influenza vaccine.

Prof. Wong Wing-tak said, “The Institute not only connects PolyU’s capabilities in basic research to Zhongshan’s industrial needs, but is also a key initiative by the two parties to contribute to the Nation’s strategic development in life and health technology. I believe the Institute will leverage the research strengths of the University and the solid industrial foundation of Zhongshan, making this partnership a critical achievement of the Greater Bay Area (GBA) community and driving high-quality development in the region.”

Mr Ouyang Jinquan stated, “The establishment of the Institute perfectly combines the needs of the Nation, the vision of GBA, the capability of Zhongshan, and the strengths of PolyU. It will inject strong impetus into technological innovation in Zhongshan and the region. We envisage that the Institute will also act as super-connector to attract more innovation resources to Zhongshan from around the world, providing a new model for collaborative innovation within GBA.”

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