香港3月3日　－　香港生物科技協會(HKBIO)聯合多家生物科技公司和藥廠，在香港科學園舉行新聞發佈會，宣佈海康生命科技有限公司向社會無償捐獻其自主研發的“ERT- PCR 技術檢測新型冠狀病毒(SARS-CoV-2)”，供有需要的醫療、科研機構無償使用，並提供後期技術支持，這項技術向社會免費開放。希望透過這項檢測技術，緩解目前疫情防控中普遍存在的檢測不准確、假陰性率高、病人長時間等候等難題。

On 3rd March 2020 - Hong Kong Biotechnology Organization (HKBIO) cooperated with various biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to hold a press conference in Hong Kong Science Technology Parks Corporation, announcing that Hai Kang Life Corporation Limited will be donating its independently developed ‘ERT-PCR technology for SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus testing’ to the community. The ‘ERT-PCR technology for SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus testing’ will be available for free use for all medical and scientific institutions in need, and if required technical support can be provided. By making this technology publicly available, it will be more readily implemented thus, effectively alleviating problems such as inaccurate detection, high false negative rates, and long waiting times for patients.

海康生命科技有限公司主席于常海教授開幕致詞時表示：「防控疫情需要及早發現潛在的病毒感染者，從而減少傳播給親屬及密切接觸者的機會，這就需要有一種靈敏而快速的檢測方法。我們把ERT-PCR技術檢測無償奉獻社會，就是希望貢獻出自己的一份力量，回應社會的關切，和大家一起抗疫，保護社會大眾的安全和健康。」

In the opening speech, Hai Kang Life Corporation Limited Chairman Albert Yu said: “Accurate diagnosis of potential viral infections is necessary in effective intervention against infectious outbreaks, and is especially important to reduce chances of transmission. It needs rapid accurate detection. We have donated our ERT-PCR technology, in hopes to provide our own strengths and contribute to the community. We are working towards fighting the new coronavirus epidemic in collaboration with all sectors in the community to protect the safety and health of the public. "

與新型冠狀病毒疫情持續兩個月的鬥爭中，各國傾全力來控制疫情，然而全球各地每天依然有新增懷疑和確診病患，社會上已人人自危，海康生命科技有限公司ERT- PCR技術檢測正正切合社會狀況，準確性高並可以大量測試。早於2003年沙士肆虐之際，海康生命科技有限公司與黃乾亨基金合作，研究出ERT-PCR技術，並成功應用於臨床。針對此次新型冠狀病毒疫情，海康生命科技有限公司在香港、北京兩地同步召開“新型冠狀病毒SARS-CoV-2核酸檢測”專題研發小組會議，計劃在數週之內為社會提供多種測試方法，可用於不同基層測試需求。在有限的資源和緊迫的時間下，海康香港、北京研發團隊通力合作，攻克所有技術難關，成功研發出適用於新型冠狀病毒的快速檢測方法，這項新技術將為防控疫情提供靈敏度更高的測試平台。

In the two-month struggle with the new coronavirus epidemic, multiple countries have made the effort to control this epidemic. However, the spread of the virus continues, with the number of confirmed new cases multiplying every day. Hai Kang Life Corporation Limited’s ERT-PCR technology is most suitable for this situation because the technology is both highly accurate and sensitive, further its ability to analyze a large number samples at one time makes this method of detection effective and efficient. When the outbreak of SARS was at large 17 years ago, Hai Kang Life Corporation Limited with Philip K.H. Wong Foundation’s support developed an enhanced fluorescence real-time PCR (ERT-PCR) technology and successfully applied it in clinical diagnosis. In response to this new coronavirus epidemic, Hai Kang Life Corporation Limited held a special R & D group meeting on "New Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 Nucleic Acid Detection" in Hong Kong and Beijing, and planned to provide an improved method for detection for public use. Despite the limited resources and urgent timeframe, Hai Kang Life’s Hong Kong and Beijing R & D teams worked together to overcome all technical difficulties and successfully developed a rapid detection method suitable for the new coronavirus, in order to provide a more sensitive and accurate platform to be utilized in prevention and control.

海康生命科技有限公司首席科學家葉朝陽博士帶領研發團隊成員何耀昌博士和徐舟博士在發佈會上詳細介紹ERT-PCR檢測技術：「我們整個團隊有一個共同的信念，貢獻自己的全部專業技術和實戰經驗，在抗戰疫情堅守崗位的每一天，付出的每一滴汗水，是為自己、為家人、為社會、為我們共同生活的城市，讓我們攜手共同做好疫情防控，打贏疫情阻擊戰。」

Hai Kang Life Cooperation Limited Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Ye Zhaoyang, with R & D team members Dr. Timothy Ho and Dr. Jodie Xu introduced the ERT-PCR technology at the press conference: "Our team has only one aim and that is to focus all our energies into sharing our expertise and experiences to do more for ourselves, family and community in order to win this battle."

問答環節 Q&A

問:　ERT-PCR和其他檢測技術有什麼區別？ 
答:　ERT-PCR的靈敏度至少比其他方法高十倍。它使用多一組引物來提高特異性，並使用多一輪擴增來提高靈敏度。 

Q:　What is the difference between ERT-PCR and other detection technologies?
A:　ERT-PCR is at least ten times more sensitive than other methods. It uses an extra set of primers and an additional round of amplification of the target sequence to increase sensitivity and specificity.

問:　ERT-PCR是世界上靈敏度最高的核酸檢測方法嗎？
答:　ERT-PCR的靈敏度已經處於極限，其精準度可達至一條核酸鏈就可以檢測到。當然，我們仍然需要使用臨床樣本進行驗證。

Q:　 Is ERT-PCR the most sensitive nucleic acid detection method in the world?
A:　 The sensitivity of ERT-PCR has already reached the highest level of sensitivity, and requires only one copy of the target sequence in order to be detected. We will continue to use clinical samples for validation.

問:　目前的方法可以在一小時內完成，為什麼ERT-PCR測試需要3-4小時？成本是多少？答:　ERT-PCR需進行多一輪擴增以增加靈敏度，因此需要更多時間。針無兩頭利，我們需要犧牲時間以換取靈敏度。成本的方面，只考慮試劑費用，每個反應大約需要50港元。

Q:　Current methods can be completed in one hour. Why does the ERT-PCR test take 3-4 hours? How much does it cost?
A:　Compared to the current method ERT-PCR involves an additional round of amplification of the target sequence to increase sensitivity, so it takes more time. Needless to say, we need to sacrifice time in exchange for sensitivity. In terms of cost, considering only the cost of reagents, each reaction is about HK $ 50.

問:　為什麼ERT-PCR技術不在市場上？
答:　ERT-PCR是一種非常高靈敏度的方法。通常情況下，常用的RT-PCR就足夠了，但目前疫情的情況，我們認為它是檢測方法的首選。

Q:　Why is ERT-PCR technology not on the market?
A:　ERT-PCR technology is patented by Hai Kang Life Corporation Limited, we are working on expanding its application in different fields. In general, the commonly used RT-PCR and other methods are sufficient for their particular purposes. However, in the current epidemic situation, we think it should be the first choice as a detection method.

問:　如果新型冠狀病毒出現變種，您們能否成功檢測？
答:　要視乎病毒出現變種的序列位置；我們今次針對新冠病毒檢測的基因為保守序列，即使出現變種仍有大機會保持相同序列，保留成功檢測的可能性。

Q:　If the new coronavirus mutates, can you successfully detect it?
A:　This is dependent on the location of the mutation. The materials used to target COVID-19 are designed from the conserved regions of the sequence which have a low chance of mutating. Therefore, if a new strain of coronavirus emerges, we are most likely able to detect the conserved sequences ensuring the integrity of the technique. Nevertheless, we are confident in any additional approaches needed for precise differentiation.

問:　ERT-PCR技術檢測如何操作和使用？
答:　我們準備了操作手册及視頻指導，希望為您提供更多幫助。視頻指導：https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDb4nn4dQsE

如有需求，我們也可向具有相關操作經驗的技術人員提供培訓。ERT-PCR核酸檢測方法由於其較高靈敏度，可以應用於諸如社區或隔離人員篩查和治愈病人出院前的核查。

Q:　How is ERT-PCR technology operated and applied?
A:　We have prepared operation manuals and video guides for the use of ERT-PCR technology. If required, we can provide training to technicians with the relevant operating experience. Due to its high sensitivity, ERT-PCR technology detection can be applied to the general community and medical teams involved in combatting coronavirus for early diagnosis.

Video guidance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDb4nn4dQsE


另外，這次發佈會聯合黃乾亨基金、基因港(香港)生物科技有限公司、李氏大藥廠控股有限公司、依納康科技有限公司、晶準生物科技有限公司及海康生命科技有限公司，各家公司希望運用他們的資源，在新型冠狀病毒疫情下為社會出一分力，分別捐贈口罩、酒精搓手液和營養補充劑給有需要人士。

In addition, Hong Kong Biotechnology Organization was joined by other biotech and pharmaceutical companies: Philip K.H. Wong Foundation, GeneHarbor (Hong Kong) Technologies Limited, Lee’s Pharmaceutical Holdings Limited, eNano Health Limited, Cellomics International Limited and Hai Kang Life Corporation Limited, to provide resources against the new coronavirus epidemic by donating masks, alcohol hand rubs, and nutritional supplements to those in need.

物資捐贈總結

黃乾亨基金：一萬個口罩
李氏大藥廠控股有限公司：一萬個口罩
基因港(香港)生物科技有限公司：合共價值十五萬的艾沐茵（NMN 9000）補充劑
晶準生物科技有限公司：一百支酒精搓手液

Donation summary:

Philip K.H. Wong Foundation: 10,000 masks
Lee’s Pharmaceutical Holdings Limited: 10,000 masks
GeneHarbor (Hong Kong) Technologies Limited: total of HK$ 150,000 worth of their NMN9000 supplement
Cellomics International Limited: 100 alcohol-based handrubs

 

最後，香港生物科技協會（HKBIO）將於2020年8月19至22日舉辦香港國際生物科技展BIOHK2020，誠邀各位出席香港首個國際級生物科技盛會，此次盛會包含展覽會、學術演講及項目交流會、一對一商機洽談。

Finally, Hong Kong Biotechnology Organization (HKBIO) will host the first ever Hong Kong International Biotechnology Exhibition BIOHK2020 from August 19 to 22, 2020. We invite you to attend Hong Kong's first international biotechnology convention which includes Exhibitions, Conference and Pitch Sessions, One2One Partnering Program.

展覽會：為來自世界各地的參展商提供一個展示其產品和創新的平台，並了解全球生物科技行業和相關領域的領先者的創新發展
Exhibition: Pitch and Connect your company to the international biotech scene and vast China market for trading and collaboration opportunities

學術演講及項目交流會：提供一個知識論壇，讓科研人員和業界從業人員就生物科技和其他相關領域的新挑戰、新出現的問題和未來趨勢，交流各自的工作和實際發展經驗
Conference and Pitch Sessions: Share and Inspire through invaluable discussions about the latest regional and international research findings and industry trends

一對一商機洽談：幫助與會者以投資者、分析師和合夥公司的形式，聯絡和確定未來的合作夥伴
One2One Partnering: Promote and Establish your company as ‘one to watch’ in the biotech marketplace by identifying and meeting prospective partners

希望各位可以和我們聯繫或發送感興趣和關注的問題，我們的團隊將隨時為您提供幫助，並期待在2020年8月見到您！
Please contact us or send us questions of interest and concern. Our team will always be here to help you and look forward to seeing you in August 2020!
 
詳情請瀏覽BIOHK2020官網：www.bio-hk.com  或聯絡我們 (電郵：info@bio-hk.com  | 電話：2799 7688)
Visit BIOHK2020 website for more details：www.bio-hk.com or Contact us (Email：info@bio-hk.com  | Tel：2799 7688)