Surgical Robotics to Reshape Healthcare Future

A world industry leader has established a surgical robotics R & D centre in Hong Kong

Precision Robotics, one of Hamlyn Centre of the UK’s Imperial College’s spin-offs, initiated Surgical Robotics R&D in Hong Kong this March to address global health challenges through technological innovation.

With the aim of developing safe, effective and accessible medical technologies, Precision Robotics has been focusing on technological innovation with a strong emphasis on clinical translation, resulting in direct patient benefits with global impact. Since 2009, InvestHK and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) have been working with Professor Guang-zhong Yang, Director and Co-founder of the Hamlyn Centre for Robotic Surgery in UK, by providing the latest information on the R&D environment in Hong Kong, available funding schemes and business advantages of setting up in the city. In March 2018, The Centre established its presence in HKSTP by launching Precision Robots Limited.

When asked why Precision Robotics had decided to set up an office in Hong Kong, Professor Yang said, “Hong Kong is in a unique position as a product development centre, thanks to its close proximity to the manufacturing capability in Shenzhen and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area. The city is only a short distance from South East Asia and other Asian markets.”

“The Hong Kong government is very supportive in developing innovation and technology (I&T). A number of initiatives were launched recently, including investment in expanding the facilities of HKSTP, additional injection into the Innovation and Technology Fund, and the introduction of the Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS), fast-track arrangements for overseas and Mainland R&D talent.”

“The role of the Hong Kong office is to focus on commercialisation of medical robotics technology by spearheading product design and development, and at a later stage to conduct clinical trials in Hong Kong markets as the clinical data is recognised by CFDA, FDA and other jurisdictions in Australia and South East Asia,” he added.
Ir. Andrew Young, who is the Chairman of Translation Advisory Group of Hamlyn Centre and instrumental in assisting the setting up of the Hong Kong office said, “ Hong Kong offers unique advantages in having the crucial elements of financing, product development, manufacturing and clinical trial, all in one location. Not many locations in the world can offer all these advantages in one place.”

Precision Robotics also enjoys the advantages offered by Hong Kong for the medical and healthcare device industry, including top class suppliers across the whole value chain, from electronics, metal, plastic to precision engineering capability. Medical device companies can develop and commercialise their technologies through design, development and manufacturing functions, as well as the rule of law which provides assurance to international players.

“The city has a good pool of well-trained talent from universities. I’m particularly delighted to be partnering with The Chinese University of Hong Kong, being an advisor to their robotics programme. We have been in close collaboration all along,” Prof. Yang said.

“InvestHK has been most helpful in providing advice and relevant information and helping us reach out to our partners. Downstream when we need to attract overseas talent, the department can also help us with the process of getting visa approval. InvestHK is a trusted partner whom we can rely on,” he concluded.