The Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT) and the Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation (RCMI) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have co-authored the Policy Paper on University-Industry Collaboration for Chinese Medicine (CM) Innovation in the Greater Bay Area. The paper outlines recommendations to policymakers for capitalising on the opportunities arising from the dynamic consumer market and talent pool in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) with the aim of fostering the development and innovation in the traditional Chinese Medicine (CM) industry.
The key recommendations are:
1. Enhancing Hong Kong's CM Research and Development Ecosystem
Fragmented and limited funding mechanisms for the CM industry remain barriers to developing traditional CM to its full potential. The HKSAR Government is advised to create a supportive and robust environment for the development of the CM ecosystem by expanding the funding scope of the Chinese Medicine Development Fund, and encouraging academia-industry and interdisciplinary collaboration in CM. The establishment of a research platform fund for industry-oriented R&D projects would be conducive to more effective and widespread application of complementary and integrative CM-related healthcare solutions.
The establishment of a central research platform, comprising an Evidence-based Chinese Medicine Research Centre in partnership with the Schools of Chinese Medicine in three local universities as well as CM hospitals nationwide, and an International Dietary Supplement and Botanical Drug Research Centre, is encouraged in order to promote mental and physical wellness and validation of CM's efficacy and safety.
2. Promoting the Internationalisation of CM
To facilitate the export of the high-quality Lingnan CM brand to international markets, it is recommended to accelerate the approval and mutual certification mechanisms of Chinese proprietary medicine among GBA cities, incentivise cross-boundary collaborations for research and development, streamline evaluation processes and align CM standards with international norms via their progressive integration into the global regulatory framework.
3. Commercialisation and Innovation of CM Health Maintenance Products
To bridge the needs of different sectors leveraging technology advancement, the HKSAR Government is encouraged to establish a three-way trading and cross-border cooperative blockchain platform for electronic contracting, circulation and traceability procedures in CM projects. Greater effort in branding and promoting CM-based Health Maintenance Products and functional food is suggested to capture rising demand from the aging population.
4. Constructing a Bio-digital Product Innovation Hub
The HKSAR Government is urged to support the adoption of new technology, such as sensors, the internet-of-things and artificial intelligence in CM diagnosis, treatment and monitoring, in order to address an anticipated clinical staff shortage and future therapeutic demands.
Prof. Wing-tak WONG, PolyU Deputy President and Provost noted that, "Talents are the key to innovation. The Government is advised to provide financial support for the collaborative training programmes organised by tertiary institutions in the GBA and CM hospitals in Hong Kong and Mainland China, so as to nurture skilled CM talents who are ready for the opportunities emerging from the development of the GBA."
Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation) and Director of PReCIT said, "With concerted effort from industry-academia collaboration and supportive government policies, Hong Kong has a distinct advantage in becoming the bridgehead for CM in the international arena. Leveraging our strength in interdisciplinary research, PolyU is dedicated to contributing to the research and application of CM treatment and practices."
