Key advantages and recent industry developments:

An Efficient Dual-Track Healthcare System

• Hong Kong features an efficient dual-track healthcare system, encompassing both public and private sectors. The Hospital Authority manages 43 public hospitals, which cater to approximately 90% of inpatients in the region, while the remaining 10% is served by the private sector.

Strong Foundation in Medical Research

• Hong Kong has established itself as a hub for medical research, driven by its top-tier universities and institutions. The region is home to five top 100 universities, two of which are particularly distinguished for their medical faculties. These institutions provide high-quality education and foster an environment conducive to groundbreaking research.

BioTech Funding Hub

• Hong Kong is the second-largest BioTech funding hub globally, following New York. In addition, Chapter 18A favours the listing of pre-revenue BioTech companies

Advancements in Hong Kong's Healthcare and Regulatory Framework

• The Hong Kong Centre for the Medical Products Regulation (CMPR) is set to be established by the end of 2026, and the Department of Health will begin implementing a "primary evaluation" for new drug registrations in phases starting next year, with full implementation expected by 2030. These developments represent a significant milestone in Hong Kong's evolution into an international hub for health and medical innovation.

Clinical Trial Capability

• Hong Kong is home to two medical schools renowned for their high-quality clinical research output, participating in over 1,000 global clinical trials. Four hospitals—Queen Mary Hospital, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong Eye Hospital, and Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital—are accredited to conduct clinical drug trials by various regulatory bodies, including China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). 

Access to GBA

• To facilitate healthcare services, NMPA has announced a work plan for regulatory innovation and the development of pharmaceuticals and medical devices in the Greater Bay Area (GBA). This plan allows designated healthcare institutions across nine Mainland cities in the Greater Bay Area to use HK-registered drugs and listed medical devices utilised in Hong Kong public hospitals for urgent clinical needs, subject to approval from Guangdong.