PolyU collaborates with HKI Biotechnology to establish joint laboratory for biotech innovation

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has entered into a formal collaboration with HKI Biotechnology Limited to foster biotechnology research, with the aim of driving biotech innovations to contribute to the development of drugs and treatments for ophthalmic and systemic diseases.

An agreement signing cum inauguration ceremony for the establishment of the “PolyU–HuiKang Joint Laboratory for Biotech Innovation” was held on 16 July 2024. The agreement was signed by Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, and Mr SUN Jian, Director of HKI Biotechnology Limited, under the witness of PolyU representatives including Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research; Prof. KEE Chea-su, Head and Professor of School of Optometry; Prof. He Mingguang, Director of Research Centre for SHARP Vision, and HuiKang representatives including Mr ZHANG Xiaoqi, Vice President; Mr LI Yuan, General Manager of R&D Business Department; and Ms CHENG Yunlong, Chief Financial Officer. The ceremony was also attended by Mr Victor ZHAO, Associate Director of Research Innovation Office of PolyU; Dr GE Ming, Commissioner for Industry (Innovation and Technology)of Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau, HKSAR; and Mr ZHANG Keke, Advisor of Shenzhen–Hong Kong–Macau Science and Technology Alliance and Former Vice Chairman of Shenzhen Association for Science and Technology.

At the ceremony, Prof. Christopher Chao said that this university-industry research collaboration would combine PolyU’s research strengths in life science and engineering, and HuiKang’s industrial expertise in peptide technology and drug developmentto open up new directions for target discovery and drug development. Under the agreement, the two parties will conduct collaborative research projects, share research facilities and equipment, promote knowledge exchange and develop research talents.

The Joint Laboratory will be operated by the Research Centre for SHARP Vision of PolyU and HKI Biotechnology Limited. It will focus on research on “Peptide Screening and Application Solutions” with the goal of advancing peptide drug discovery and enhancing high-throughput screening technologies. It will also focus on the transformation of outcomes from projects on “Human Lysozyme Eye Drops” into novel pharmaceuticals. (English only)