Hong Kong Biotech Horizons 2013
Translational Medicine: Promising Researches in Cancer Therapies and Diagnostics

Hong Kong Biotechnology Organization (HKBIO), co-organized with Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), Asian Fund for Cancer Research (AFCR), BayHelix Group, Hong Kong-Taiwan Youth Exchange Promotion Association, Hong Kong Student Activity Committee, Hong Kong PKI Forum and Hong Kong New Generation Cultural Association Science Innovation Centre, a one and a half day symposium with school visits and a student seminar namely the “Hong Kong Biotech Horizons” on November 20 and 21, 2013 at Hong Kong Science Park.

The first series of Hong Kong Biotech Horizons was “Translational Medicine: Promising Researches in Cancer Therapies and Diagnostics”. We were honored to have Professor Roger D. Kornberg, the Nobel Prize Laureate in Chemistry 2006, as one of our guests. This was a one and a half day symposium held at the Charles K. Kao Auditorium and attended by Professor Kornberg and other professors studying cancer in universities in Hong Kong, sharing their innovative research and studies. The second part was a face-to-face interaction of Professor Kornberg with secondary school students. Professor Kornberg visited three secondary schools in New Territories to understand the learning situation of local secondary school students. Apart from that, Professor Kornberg interacted with around four hundred secondary school students in the Amphitheatre.

Day One Symposium (November 20, 2013)

The symposium was started with the welcoming remarks by Professor Albert Yu, Chairman of HKBIO, Mr. Allen Ma, CEO of HKSTP and our VIP guest, Ms. Janet Wong, Commissioner of Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC). Right after the welcoming remarks, the keynote speaker, Professor Roger David Kornberg, Nobel Prize Laureate in Chemistry in 2006 and Professor of Department of Structural Biology at Standard University School of Medicine, gave a speech on “Molecular Basis of Eukaryotic Gene Expression”. Other well-recognized international and local experts also shared with the industry and academia the cutting-edge biotechnology advances for fighting against Cancer.

Speakers invited including:

Keynote Speaker

Professor Roger Kornberg
Nobel Prize Laureate in Chemistry in 2006
Department of Structural Biology, Standard University School of Medicine

Plenary Speakers

Professor Webster Cavenee
Director, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research
Distinguished Professor, University of California at San Diego

Dr. John W. Kozarich
Chairman & President, ActivX Biosciences, Inc., La Jolla, CA USA
Vice Chairman, Board of Trustee, Gordon Research Conferences

Speakers

Professor Maria Li Lung
Director, Laboratory of Cancer Molecular Genomics & Chair Professor, Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong

Professor Tony Shu Kam Mok
Professor, Comprehensive Cancer Trials Unit, Department of Clinical Oncology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Professor Dennis Yuk Ming Lo
Director, Li Ka Shing Institute of health Sciences & Professor, Chemical Pathology, The University of Hong Kong

Professor Thomas Yun Chung Leung
Professor, Applied Biology & Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Director, Lo Ka Chung Centre for Natural Anti-Cancer Drug Development

 

School Visits

Aside from delivering the keynote speech, Professor Kornberg visited three local schools namely Shun Tak Fraternal Association Yung Yau College, Carmel Park U School, and Yan Oi Tong Tin Ka Ping Secondary School, in order to cultivate the interest of our future generation in science. Students from the schools gave presentations on biological and chemical studies. Professor Kornberg made comments on students’ projects and presentations, which were highly valuable for students’ future improvement.

 

Face to Face: Professor Roger Kornberg Met with Hong Kong High School Students Seminar
In parallel with the symposium, HKBIO organized a “Face to Face: Professor Roger Kornberg Meets with Hong Kong High School Students” seminar at Hong Kong Science Park. Professor Albert Yu, Chairman of HKBIO, Ms. Eva Chan, CEO of Certizen Limited and Dr. Jimmy Wong, Director of Hong Kong New Generation Cultural Association Science Innovation Centre accompanied Professor Roger Kornberg and the honorable guest Mrs.

Fanny Law, Member of Executive Council, to meet with over 400 students and teachers from 15 high schools and universities. The seminar was an interactive session where Professor Kornberg shared his research experiences and stories to success of being a Nobel Laureate to enhance students’ interests in science and encourage them to develop their careers in the biotechnology field. Students enthusiastically took this invaluable opportunity asking questions. All participants were impressed and enlightened by the inspiring conversation.

Day Two Symposium (November 21, 2013)

Day Two Symposium focused on Hong Kong’s biotech industry and business environment for the sake of bridging education, research and commercialization. Speakers invited were from both industry and academia. They shared with the audience their experience in building up business in Hong Kong and Mainland China and also research on translational medicine.

Speakers

Dr. Jimmy Z. Zhang, Ph.D.
Managing Director, MSD Early Investments – Greater China Merck & Co., Inc.

Dr. Dajun Yang, Ph.D.
President & Chief Executive Officer, Ascentage Pharma Group Corp. Ltd. National Thousand Talent Expert

Dr. Guo Liang Yu, Ph.D.
Executive Chairman, Crown BioScience National Thousand Talent Expert

Mr. Dan Zhang
Chief Executive Officer, Fountain Med National Thousand Talent Expert

Dr. Xian Ping Lu, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer, Shenzhen ChipScreen Biosciences

Dr. Wei (William) Cao, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer, Cellular Biomedicine Group Inc. Visiting Professor of Fudan University Medical College

Panel Discussion Moderator

Ms. Lisa Leung
Managing Partner, Qiming Ventures

Panelists

Mr. Carlos Linn
Director, Laboratory of Cancer Molecular Genomics & Chair Professor, Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong

Dr. Ming De Xia, Ph.D.
Senior Director, Johnson & Johnson Innovation Center

Dr. Benjamin Xiao Yi Li, Ph.D.
CEO, Lee’s Pharmaceutical Holdings Ltd.

Dr. Bor Fuei Apo Huang, Ph.D
Secretary General, Taiwan Bio Industry Organization

 

Co-organizers:

Funded by:

Hong Kong Biotech Horizons 2013
Translational Cancer Research Fundraising Kick-off Gala Dinner Concluded with Success ——
Anti-Cancer Movement Officially Started

The Translational Cancer Research Fundraising Kick-off Gala was held on 20 Nov 2013 initiated by Dr. Kennedy Wong Ying-ho, BBS, JP, Member, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference; Professor Lo Yuk-lam, Honorary Chairman, Hong Kong Biotechnology Organization; Professor Albert Yu Cheung-hoi, Chairman, Hong Kong Biotechnology Organization; Mr. Allen Ma Kam-sing, Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation; and Dr. Sujuan Ba, Ph.D., Chief Operating Officer, National Foundation for Cancer Research. We were honored to have Professor Roger D. Kornberg, the Nobel Prize Laureate in Chemistry 2006, as one of our guests.

Welcome Remarks

"Nowadays in Asia and Greater China region, there is a large gap between advanced cancer studies and the actual practice of cancer prevention, diagnosis and therapy. Lack of funding is the main obstacle in the way of translating biomedical sciences to clinical medicine in fighting cancer. The Gala is tasked to solicit monetary support by raising public concern about the issue, so as to create opportunities and speed up the translation of scientific studies into clinical medicine," a welcome speech given by Professor Albert Yu Cheung-hoi, Chairman of Hong Kong Biotechnology Organization.

Professor Roger David Kornberg, Nobel Prize Laureate in Chemistry in 2006, wishes HKBIO Cancer Research Fund every success in the upcoming future.

Cert of Appreciation to Professor Roger D. Kornberg

(From left to right): Mr. Allen Ma Kam-sing, Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation; Dr. Kennedy Wong Ying-ho, BBS, JP, Member, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference; Professor Roger D. Kornberg, the Nobel Prize Laureate in Chemistry 2006; Ms. Janet Wong, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology; Professor Albert Cheung Hoi-Yu, Chairman of HKBIO; Dr. Sujuan Ba, Ph.D., Chief Operating Officer, National Foundation for Cancer Research.

Cert of Appreciation to Supporters and Guests

Qee Bear Fundraising Auction

 

At the end of the Gala, all participating guests, led by Professor Roger D. Kornberg, the Nobel Prize Laureate in Chemistry 2006; Dr. Kennedy Wong Ying-ho, BBS, JP, Member, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference; Professor Lo Yuk-lam, Honorary Chairman, Hong Kong Biotechnology Organization; Professor Albert Yu Cheung-hoi, Chairman, Hong Kong Biotechnology Organization; Mr. Allen Ma Kam-sing, Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation; and Dr. Sujuan Ba, Ph.D., Chief Operating Officer, National Foundation for Cancer Research, promised to fight against cancer together, aspiring to create a better and healthier future.

Organizers: