PolyU showcases startup incubation and knowledge transfer excellence at Asia Summit on Global Health, advancing Hong Kong’s development into international health and medical innovation hub
Ageing populations and the growing prevalence of chronic diseases means demand for healthcare services continues to rise. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is leveraging its strengths in interdisciplinary research by bringing together expertise in artificial intelligence (AI), healthcare and biomedical engineering to drive research and knowledge transfer, and support Hong Kong’s development into an international health and medical innovation hub. On 11 and 12 May, PolyU scholars, startups and research teams participated in the Asia Summit on Global Health (the Summit), engaging with experts, academics, investors and industry representatives from around the world through thematic forums, the InnoHealth Showcase exhibition and startup pitching sessions. The event provided a valuable platform for showcasing PolyU’s innovative research achievements in life sciences and healthcare technologies.
Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, served as the panel chair for the thematic session “Unlocking Growth in Silver Health: From Precision Medicine to Smart Ageing Innovations”. Together with industry experts from around the world, the panel shared their views on how precision medicine and smart technologies can be harnessed to improve quality of life for the elderly and to address social and economic challenges arising from an ageing population.
Prof. Christopher Chao said, “Our participation today reflects PolyU’s steadfast commitment to becoming a global powerhouse in health technology. By combining our research excellence with a strong startup ecosystem, we are not just imagining the future of medtech—we are building it.”
Prof. MA Cong, Associate Professor of the PolyU Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, joined the session “Transforming Healthcare through Digital Health and AI Innovations”. He shared insights into AI-driven drug discovery, including the key bottlenecks and potential risks in the field, and offered professional perspectives on how digital health and AI can drive healthcare innovation and facilitate the translation of research outcomes from the laboratory to clinical application.
During the Summit, seven PolyU startups, three research teams, and The InnoHK Centre for Eye and Vision Research showcased a range of medical technology projects and startup achievements at the InnoHealth Showcase. These covered areas including ophthalmology and vision health, innovative therapeutics, biomedical treatment, smart medical devices, home-based rehabilitation and sports technology, as well as skin repair and medical aesthetic technologies. The exhibits highlighted PolyU research excellence in healthcare technology innovation and the University’s achievements in knowledge transfer.
Meanwhile, three PolyU startups were invited to join dedicated pitching sessions to present their innovative technologies and application solutions to healthcare professionals, investors and business leaders. The sessions highlighted the commercial potential and development prospects of their projects, while also enabling participants to gain deeper insights into the practical value and societal impact of PolyU research outcomes.
PolyU is dedicated to advancing innovation and entrepreneurship development that benefits the world. Through PolyVentures, its signature startup ecosystem, the University bolsters PolyU startups at every stage of their entrepreneurial journeys – from education and ideation to incubation, acceleration and fundraising. Through these efforts, PolyU strives to accelerate the commercialisation and industrialisation of research outcomes, thereby contributing to the advancement of healthcare technologies in Hong Kong and beyond.
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