InvestHK hosts inaugural Women's Health & Tech Forum to promote thriving ecosystem that accelerates health tech to address unmet needs (with photos)
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Government's strategic vision for advancing women's health
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has positioned health innovation as a key driver of new quality productive forces in Hong Kong, with a clear vision to develop the city into an international health and medical innovation hub. Through comprehensive reforms in drug and medical device approval mechanisms, enhanced clinical trial capabilities, and accelerated research translation, the Government is creating a robust foundation for innovation in crucial sectors including women's health.
The Under Secretary for Health, Dr Libby Lee, stated, "The HKSAR Government is committed to complementing technological innovation with institutional innovation, developing Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub. As we move forward, we must continue to prioritise health and well-being of people in our innovation agenda. This requires collaboration across sectors - Government, academia, healthcare providers, and the private sector - all working together to address unmet needs and create sustainable and scalable solutions. Together, we can harness technology to improve health outcomes, empower women, and build a healthier society for all."
InvestHK's pivotal role in fostering innovation
Hong Kong's growing prominence in health technology is supported by InvestHK's strategic initiatives to attract and facilitate innovative companies. The agency's comprehensive approach combines with Hong Kong's world-class infrastructure development, talent pool, and comprehensive ecosystem, developing Hong Kong as a leading health tech hub.
The Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK, Ms Alpha Lau, commented, "As a global innovation and technology hub, Hong Kong is leveraging cutting-edge technologies and world-class expertise to advance women's healthcare. With the global femtech market expected to grow substantially, InvestHK is dedicated to attracting pioneering solutions to strengthen the healthcare ecosystem in Hong Kong and across Asia."
Advancing women's health through academic-government collaboration
Primary healthcare has become the backbone of Hong Kong's public health initiatives. A significant development announced at the forum was the collaboration between the District Health Centre and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) to introduce post-natal health services within the primary healthcare framework, showcasing how academic-government partnerships can effectively serve the unmet needs in local communities.
The Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, Dr Pang Fei-chau, emphasised, "Primary healthcare has become the foundation of our public health initiatives, bringing essential services closer to the community through the District Health Centre Scheme. The Government has launched the Life Course Preventive Care plan. Based on the core principles of prevention-oriented and whole-person care, a personalised preventive care plan will be formulated according to the latest evidence to establish healthy lifestyle patterns and raise self-health management awareness among citizens of different age groups, thereby improving the overall health of the population, providing accessible and coherent healthcare network services, and establishing a sustainable healthcare system."
The Chairperson of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the CUHK, Prof Liona Poon, highlighted, "This collaboration helps address the unmet needs in post-natal health, which represents a significant step forward in women's healthcare delivery. This partnership combines the CUHK's pioneering clinical expertise with the Government's community outreach capabilities. Through this integrated approach, we can better support women's health needs at the community level."
Driving innovation in women's health tech
Hong Kong's health tech ecosystem continues to attract and nurture innovative companies addressing critical women's healthcare needs. WomenX Biotech Limited, a Hong Kong-based start-up inventing non-invasive HPV test using menstrual blood, and EveryBaby, an Irish health tech company specialising in preterm birth prevention through cervical tissue analysis, exemplify how both local and international companies are leveraging the city's advantages to advance women's health technologies.
The Founder of WomenX Biotech Limited, Dr Choi Pui-wah, shared, "The city's research capabilities and clinical resources have been crucial in developing our technology for early disease detection. Hong Kong's supportive ecosystem has enabled us to transform monthly menstrual blood collection into a powerful tool for women's health monitoring."
The CEO of EveryBaby, Mr Dabriel Choi, added, "We chose Hong Kong as our Asian headquarters because of its strong healthcare foundation and strategic position for entering the Mainland China market. The ecosystem here facilitates meaningful partnerships between start-ups, researchers, and healthcare providers, which is essential for developing and validating our innovative preterm birth prevention technology."
A hub for women's health innovation
The Women Health & Tech Forum 2025 has effectively demonstrated Hong Kong's commitment to advancing women's health through technology. By fostering collaboration between the Government, academia, and the private sector, and by leveraging the city's strengths in life and health science, Hong Kong is establishing itself as a leading hub for women's health innovation. This commitment to combining technological and institutional innovation aligns with the Government's broader vision of developing Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub, creating impact both locally and across the region.
Ends/Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Issued at HKT 18:25
Issued at HKT 18:25
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