Sustainable Co-GenAI model and cancer immunotherapy projects awarded RGC funding
At the forefront of medical research and technological innovation, PolyU continues to drive impactful research that benefits society and advances technology. Recently, two PolyU projects received significant funding from the Research Grants Council (RGC): a collaborative generative AI (Co-GenAI) model project was awarded HK$62.6 million under the Theme-based Research Scheme 2025/26, and a cancer immunotherapy project secured HK$32.4 million from the Strategic Topics Grant 2025/26.
Sustainable Co-GenAI model awarded funding from RGC Theme-based Research Scheme
The Co-GenAI project is led by Professor Yang Hongxia, Executive Director of the PolyU Academy for Artificial Intelligence, Associate Dean (Global Engagement) of the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, and Professor of the Department of Computing.
This initiative aims to reshape the landscape of GenAI through a decentralised approach. It holds significant potential to strengthen Hong Kong’s position as a global leader in GenAI development, with practical applications in healthcare and technology. The research team will collaborate with industry partners such as Cyberport, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Alibaba, and leading hospitals, including Huashan Hospital affiliated with Fudan University, Shandong Cancer Hospital, and the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center to implement and test the Co-GenAI system across diverse applications.
“Backed by a team of world-renowned researchers with extensive expertise, we believe Co-GenAI will play a transformative role in advancing the democratisation of AI, expanding its accessibility across disciplines and enhancing cost-effectiveness,” said Professor Yang.
The RGC’s Theme-based Research Scheme is designed to pool academic research efforts of UGC-funded universities to conduct research on topics of strategic importance to Hong Kong’s long-term development.
Cancer immunotherapy project funded by RGC Strategic Topics Grant
In the field of cancer treatment, a multidisciplinary PolyU team led by Professor Zhao Yanxiang, Associate Head and Professor of the PolyU Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, is developing an integrated technology platform for next-generation cancer immunotherapy.
The project, titled “An Integrated Technology Platform for Next-generation Cancer Immunotherapy - from Identification of Tumor Neoantigens to Development of Novel Therapeutic Vaccine Modalities”, received the highest funding in this round of the RGC’s Strategic Topics Grant.
The team proposes to build an integrated technological platform to develop Peptide-based Immunogenic Neoantigen Vaccines (PIN-Vax). This platform comprises four interconnected modules covering the full preclinical development cycle and leverages advanced artificial intelligence for a comprehensive approach. The team will first apply the PIN-Vax platform to specific cancers, with the long-term goal of transforming it into an innovative engine for next-generation cancer immunotherapy.
“We have brought together an interdisciplinary team of academic researchers, clinicians, and industry partners to build the PIN-Vax platform. Our track record and preliminary studies demonstrate the feasibility of this project,” said Professor Zhao.
The RGC’s Strategic Topics Grant supports collaborative research in key areas to help Hong Kong overcome imminent challenges and tap into fast-evolving opportunities.
