Centre for Eye and Vision Research and DEFTA Partners join forces to drive translation of advanced eye and vision research into real-world solutions

The Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR) and DEFTA Partners (DEFTA) are delighted to announce their strategic collaboration. With mutual and complementary benefits, CEVR and DEFTA will work closely to promote technology transfer and commercialisation of advanced eye and vision health research.

Leveraging DEFTA’s extensive and diverse business network, as well as its track record in identifying and nurturing innovative, technology-based startups, this collaboration can help advance the development of cutting-edge research in eye and vision health. Combing with the outstanding research achievements of CEVR, CEVR can promote the commercialisation of university-originated research through strategic business alliance with Japanese companies through DEFTA introduction and contribution. Such collaboration will empower the translation and commercialisation of new research outcomes into products, and help CEVR promote research solutions worldwide.

A signing ceremony was held yesterday on The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) campus. Prof. Wing-tak WONG, Chairman of the CEVR Board of Directors cum Deputy President and Provost of PolyU, and Dr Abby GAO, Director of Investment Research, Deputy Head of DEFTA, signed the formal collaboration agreement. The Ceremony was witnessed by Prof. Jin-guang TENG, PolyU President, Ambassador OKADA Kenichi, Consul-General of Japan in Hong Kong and Ambassador George HARA, Group Chairman and CEO, DEFTA Partners.

Prof. Wing-tak Wong said, “This collaboration with DEFTA Partners presents significant opportunities and resources for the Centre for Eye and Vision Research. DEFTA's business network and investment experience will help drive the commercialisation of our research projects and enable global expansion. We look forward to working closely with the DEFTA team to achieve our goals and bring more innovation, commercialise the translational research outcomes into real products and improve eye health worldwide.”

Dr Abby Gao stated, “With the synergy between The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the University of Waterloo in Canada, as well as the strong support from the Hong Kong SAR Government, the Centre for Eye and Vision Research has assembled top research talents, and its projects have significant potential for practical applications and commercialisation. DEFTA's robust network with industrial corporates and experience can secure more collaboration opportunities and resources to CEVR’s projects, fostering innovation and opportunities in the field of eye and vision research.”

The collaboration between CEVR and DEFTA will provide significant opportunities for CEVR, allowing the research centre to extend its partner network and undertake more innovative and cutting-edge research projects to address urgent needs and challenges in global eye and vision health.

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