The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) presented cutting-edge innovations and technology transfer achievements to global industry leaders at the BIO International Convention 2026 (BIO 2026), held from 22 to 25 June in San Diego. The exhibited projects spanned diverse fields—from first-in-class drug development, nutraceuticals, drug discovery platform, medical devices and diagnostics to optometry—demonstrating PolyU excellence in life sciences and healthcare interdisciplinary research.
As one of the world's largest biotechnology conventions, BIO 2026 brought together over 20,000 industry leaders and professionals from more than 76 countries and regions to exchange insights on key topics in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, including research and development of new drugs, clinical trials, manufacturing, investment and commercialisation, thereby promoting global biotechnology development.
This year, PolyU joined the Hong Kong delegation led by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) for the first time. Including four other local universities and over 40 life sciences and health technology companies, the delegation showcased Hong Kong's dynamic biotech ecosystem at the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion. Notably, a PolyU startup, ABRAM Therapeutics, was invited to participate in the pitching session, where it introduced its ground-breaking drug candidate.
In addition, the PolyU delegation actively engaged in networking events organised by its collaboration partners, including a visit to the Salk Institute coordinated by HKSTP and networking events hosted by Business France and Simcere Pharmaceutical. These activities facilitated valuable exchanges with global biotechnology experts and fostered new collaborative opportunities.
Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation), stated, "The BIO International Convention has long been an important platform for PolyU to connect with global partners and explore impactful international opportunities. Leveraging its research strengths and innovative capabilities in medical fields such as biotechnology and medicine-engineering integration, PolyU is dedicated to advancing translational research in relevant areas and accelerating the development of ground-breaking technologies for the benefit of society. Joining the Hong Kong Pavilion this year reflects our shared commitment to elevating Hong Kong's position to that of a leading biotech hub through cross-sector collaboration."
PolyU innovations exhibited at BIO 2026:
- "PD 001R: A First in Class drug Candidate for the Treatment of Parkinson's disease," led by Prof. LEE Ming-yuen, Simon, Cally Kwong Mei Wan Professor in Biomedical Sciences and Chinese Medicine Innovation, and Chair Professor of Biomedical Sciences of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition
- "ABarginase: the next wave of weight loss therapy against global obesity," led by Prof. LEUNG Yun-chung, Thomas, Lo Ka Chung Charitable Foundation Professor in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Professor of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology
- "pCAR-M: THE SOLID TUMOR SOLUTION," led by Prof. Terence LEE, Associate Head and Professor of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology
- "A Novel Synergistic Neuroprotective Composition with Anti-inflammatory and Neuroprotective functions," led by Prof. Sonata YAU, Associate Professor of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences
- "PocNova™: Ultra-Fast Nucleic Acid Testing System," led by Prof. Thomas LEE, Associate Professor of the Department of Biomedical Engineering
- "Next-Generation Diabetes Solutions Powered by Metabolic Factors," led by Prof. WONG Chi Ming, Associate Professor of the Department of Health Technology and Informatics
- "AI‑assisted platform integrating α‑synuclein seed amplification assays and hyperactive LRRK2 models for discovery of therapeutic LRRK2 inhibitors in Parkinson's disease," led by Prof. Philip HO, Assistant Professor of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences
- "SwallowScope: Scanner Designed for Intelligent Tele-Dysphagia Care," led by Prof. James CHEUNG, Assistant Professor of the Department of Biomedical Engineering
- "Adaptive Freeform Eyeglass for Instant Refractive Control," led by Dr Elie de LESTRANGE-ANGINIEUR, Research Fellow of the School of Optometry
With a robust foundation in medicine and healthcare research, PolyU strives to advance interdisciplinary research and technology transfer at the convergence of biotechnology, artificial intelligence, engineering and data science, pioneering a new era of healthcare innovation, and contributing to Hong Kong's development into an international health and medical innovation hub.
