Leading a Collaborative Future of Bioscience Research

Leveraging the city’s deep pool of research talent, AstraZeneca Hong Kong aims to build a stronger healthcare ecosystem through collaboration.

Hong Kong is a key Life Science development centre, thanks to the many renowned and well-respected research experts in the city.

Gwenael Meneux
General Manager, AstraZeneca Hong Kong

Global biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca recently celebrates its 30 years in Hong Kong. Since 1990, the company has been continuously expanding its research and development (R&D) and business capabilities to meet the world’s surging demand for drug discovery and development. With its wide global footprint and Mainland China as its key growth driver, it has already delivered hundreds of life-changing medicines and disease treatment in Hong Kong and Macao with over 100 clinical studies, benefiting over five million patients in the region.

According to Gwenael Meneux, General Manager of AstraZeneca Hong Kong, the company focuses on returning to growth through a science-led innovation strategy. “Responding to the more and more complex disease environment and emerging new health challenges, we put a lot of effort in growth through innovation by incorporating technology, digital and big data to deliver patient-centric solutions to Hong Kong,” he said.

Hong Kong as a regional research hub

To Meneux, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) provides positive prospects and opportunities for healthcare R&D based in Hong Kong. With a large population of over 86 million people, it not only offers a wider access to patients for clinical treatments, but also provides valuable data for research work. He added, “Hong Kong can also contribute to the overall GBA development with its high quality education and training. With an abundance of experienced and world-recognised scientists in Hong Kong, GBA can also leverage the local and global network of these experts and create a much larger international ecosystem for global healthcare.”

Another advantage for setting up a R&D centre in Hong Kong is the access to capital market. Meneux remarked, “Hong Kong’s dynamic capital market is a key drive for biotech companies who are looking for public listing. While HKEx has revised its listing rule to welcome pre-revenue biotech companies to list, it is very motivating for innovative startups to set their base and raise capital here.”

Collaboration is key for healthcare ecosystem

Meneux remarks that AstraZeneca Hong Kong aims to leverage Hong Kong resource and its prolific scientific research background to create a more open R&D ecosystem. Meneux remarks, “Hong Kong is a key Life Science development centre, thanks to the many renowned and well-respected research experts in the city. In the past few years, we have conducted dozen of global studies, in which our Hong Kong centre plays an important role.”

AstraZeneca Hong Kong has actively engaged local partners in collaborating R&D projects. In February 2021, the company announced a partnership with Hong Kong Science and Technology Park to launch a co-incubation programme, which aims at accelerating innovation and supporting biomedical startups in their mission to develop integrated oncology solutions. Another example is its collaboration with the Chinese University of Hong Kong’s Diabetes Research Team, which uses whole genome sequencing and computational biology to detect early signs of diabetic kidney disease, with an objective to advance a new global strategy and treatment against the disease.

Looking forward, Meneux hopes to see even closer collaboration between the private and public sectors to strengthen the biotech ecosystem. He concluded, “Bioscience research takes time, funding and risks. It is encouraging to see the government promotes innovation through different measures such as providing subsidies and tax incentives to R&D. We hope to see a collaborative effort to build a vibrant and sustainable biotech ecosystem, benefiting the society at-large.”

07.07.2021

Fast Facts

  • AstraZeneca focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines, primarily for Oncology, Cardiovascular, and Metabolic Disease and Respiratory
  • Currently AstraZeneca Hong Kong is in a few collaborative projects, including with Daiichi Sankyo on treatment for lung and breast cancers, Sanofi on antibody for Respiratory syncytial virus, and Junshi Biosciences on a PD1 inhibitor

(Please click here to download Acrobat Reader)

07.07.2021
お問い合わせ
ご連絡先をお知らせください。折り返しご連絡いたします。

The personal information you have provided will help us deliver, develop and promote our services. By submitting your details, ticking the boxes and clicking "Submit" indicate that you have read and agreed to our privacy policy and cookie policy. Please read these to understand your data rights.