The Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute (GBAICTI), fully owned by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, officially opened today in the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (HTCZ). Concurrently, the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trials Center of the Shenzhen Municipality also opened in the Shenzhen Park.
This "one institute, one center" model marks a significant step in the coordinated development of the HTCZ, with the GBAICTI poised to leverage Hong Kong's internationalization, healthcare expertise, and scientific research capabilities to drive biomedical technology innovation.
Strategic Objectives and Collaboration
The GBAICTI aims to coordinate clinical trial resources from various sectors, including the Hospital Authority (HA), private healthcare institutions, and universities. It will serve as a centralized support platform for medical research institutions, streamlining workflows and promoting collaboration across the Greater Bay Area (GBA).
Several key projects are planned, including the establishment of the Hong Kong Clinical Trial Digital Portal and the Clinical Trial Academy. These initiatives are designed to reduce drug approval times and enhance talent development. The GBAICTI also intends to collaborate with the Department of Health (DH) and the HA to expedite drug application processes.
Partnerships and Data Utilization
Strategic partnerships with institutions like the Hong Kong Genome Institute will leverage genomic data from the Southern Chinese population. The GBAICTI also aims to facilitate access to the HA's medical databases to support clinical trials. These efforts are geared towards attracting advanced biomedical technology companies specializing in areas such as gene therapy, cell therapy, radioligand therapy, and new vaccine technology platforms to establish operations in Hetao for research and development (R&D) and translation.
Cross-Boundary Collaboration and Infrastructure
The GBAICTI will function as a key hub for clinical trial network cooperation between Hong Kong and the Mainland. Working with the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trials Center in Shenzhen, the GBAICTI will extend the R&D network and expedite clinical trials within the GBA, which has a population base of over 86 million. This platform will support medical research institutions both within and outside Hong Kong, facilitating multicenter, cross-boundary clinical trials that meet national and international standards.
The LKS Faculty of Medicine of the HKU has been designated to operate the GBAICTI. The institute's temporary office, located at the Central Government-Aided Emergency Hospital in the Hetao area, includes a biobank managed by the HA and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), equipped with liquid nitrogen storage systems and ultra-low temperature freezers capable of storing over 400,000 samples.
Future Development
In the future, the GBAICTI is expected to move into the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park, providing more comprehensive clinical trial facilities and services. This integration will facilitate collaboration within the biomedical technology R&D and industry chain in the GBA. The institute will also leverage special policy initiatives, such as the use of Hong Kong-registered drugs and medical devices in GBA public hospitals, to enhance its role as a "super connector" between the Mainland and the world, promoting the translation of innovative biomedical research and attracting both overseas and Mainland enterprises.
