July 30, 2026 —
Hong Kong government and innovation leaders reaffirmed long-term support for cell and gene therapy, or CGT, emphasizing the need for stronger policy support, regulatory alignment, and manufacturing standards to accelerate clinical translation.
The remarks were made during an event at Hong Kong Science Park, a major innovation hub housing more than 2,500 technology companies across artificial intelligence, robotics, life and health technology, green technology, and advanced manufacturing. The event brought together around 200 scholars, medical company representatives, physicians, patients, and local biotechnology leaders.
Cell and gene therapy is increasingly being applied to modify gene expression or alter cells for therapeutic purposes, particularly in cancers and genetic diseases that are difficult to treat with conventional approaches. The event highlighted Hong Kong’s growing activity across gene therapy, stem cell therapy, CAR-T, and immunotherapy.
A central focus was Hong Kong’s first licensed allogeneic mesenchymal stem cell manufacturing plant, opened by Hong Kong Regen Medtech Ltd in May. The facility has received PIC/S GMP recognition, supporting the production of advanced therapeutic products for clinical trials under internationally recognized manufacturing quality standards.
Senior executives from more than 10 Hong Kong Science Park-based companies presented updates across three showcase sessions covering gene therapy and emerging platforms, stem cell therapy, and CAR-T and immunotherapy. The event also included a patient-physician discussion highlighting real-world treatment and recovery experiences.
Terry Wong Ping-sau, CEO of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corp, said Hong Kong holds a strong position to advance CGT, supported by world-class regulatory standards, intellectual property protection, free trade policies, and access to the Chinese mainland market. He noted that more than 360 life and health technology companies are now based at the park, working across gene therapy, stem cells, and immune oncology.
Wong also expressed support for designating CGT as a priority in Hong Kong’s first five-year plan, while reaffirming the park’s role in strengthening manufacturing quality, aligning with global regulatory standards, and improving the translation of research into clinical applications.
Andy Wong Wai-cheuk, head of Innovation & Technology and Life & Health Sciences at Invest Hong Kong, described the city as an ideal platform for CGT development. He cited Hong Kong’s university research base, technology transfer infrastructure, commercialization incentives, financial ecosystem, and business-friendly environment as key strengths.
Hong Kong is also developing a more streamlined regulatory and administrative framework for faster approvals of new drugs and medical devices. In March, health authorities began phasing in a primary evaluation pathway for new drug registration, allowing certain products to be approved locally without waiting for clearance from nonlocal regulators. Broader plans include establishing the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation and achieving full primary evaluation capability by 2030.
The event also included a patient story involving in utero maternal hematopoietic stem cell transfusion for alpha-thalassemia major, led by a research team at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. The case highlighted the potential impact of advanced therapies for families facing severe genetic diseases.
Together, the event underscored Hong Kong’s strategy to position itself as a competitive CGT hub by combining clinical research, manufacturing infrastructure, regulatory reform, and access to the Greater Bay Area and mainland China markets.
