|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) has entered a strategic partnership with a global biotechnology company to advance the development of life sciences in Hong Kong. The company also announced collaborations with six scientific research institutions and enterprises located within the Science Park, including two of InnoHK’s research centres, the Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (HKCeND) and the Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health (CRMH). These partnerships aim to establish a world-class life science innovation platform in Hong Kong, furthering the development of a global innovation ecosystem.
Under the partnership, the two parties will jointly build a state-of-the-art life science laboratory that will be equipped with advanced technologies, such as gene sequencing and single-cell analysis. Additionally, both parties will collaborate on organising international conferences and seminars to connect startups with experts and investors, while fostering talent development to support the growth of the life sciences sector in Hong Kong and beyond.
The tech company also introduced its latest product, “αLab Studio,” an advanced laboratory management platform that incorporates artificial intelligence (AI) and automation technologies. The platform is designed to streamline laboratory workflows, significantly reducing the time needed to design experiments and simplifying research processes.
Through features like voice input, AI-driven experiment design, and interactive interfaces, αLab Studio allows researchers to optimise their work, with early trials showing reductions of up to 40% in experiment design time and 60% in code writing time. This platform exemplifies the growing integration of AI and automation in scientific research, improving accuracy and efficiency in the lab.
The partnership agreement was witnessed by key figures including the Secretary for Innovation, Technology, and Industry of the Hong Kong SAR, and the Chairman of HKSTP. The collaboration highlights Hong Kong’s strategic focus on becoming a hub for cutting-edge research and development (R&D), particularly in life and health sciences.
The Secretary for Innovation, Technology, and Industry noted that Hong Kong’s strategic location, robust infrastructure, and strong scientific research capabilities make it an ideal location for high-tech R&D initiatives. The collaboration aligns with the goals outlined in Hong Kong’s Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint, which prioritises the development of technology industries such as life and health technology.
The Chairman of the company highlighted the importance of linking scientific exploration with industrial development, particularly in the Greater Bay Area, which is renowned for its innovative talent and resources. Wang expressed optimism that the integration of science and industry would contribute to the advancement of life sciences, both regionally and globally.
The HKSTP Chairman echoed these sentiments, noting that the partnership will help solidify Hong Kong’s position as a global hub for biotechnology and precision medicine. He anticipates that the company’s presence in Hong Kong will attract more ecosystem partners, sparking further innovation and collaboration in the region.
The company’s President, meanwhile, stressed the importance of building a synergistic innovation ecosystem within the Science Park to provide advanced multi-omics tools for cutting-edge scientific research. This initiative aims to accelerate the development of precision medicine and other life science fields, ultimately benefiting public health on a global scale.
The launch of αLab Studio reflects its commitment to leveraging AI and automation to solve challenges in scientific research. By integrating AI-driven experiment design and automation technologies, αLab Studio promises to revolutionise laboratory management, making scientific research more efficient and accessible to users across the region.
