The establishment of the Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences (LiHS) is an initiative undertaken by the Faculty of Medicine of The Chinese University of Hong Kong and realized by the generous donation of the Li Ka Shing Foundation, with the aim to provide an environment conducive to cutting-edge scientific research and technological innovations in life sciences. In recognition of the donor's philanthropic contribution, the Institute was named after the name of Dr. Li Ka-shing.

Formally open on 7 September 2007, the Institute strives to make contributions to the community in the realms of disease management, health education, healthcare training and medical technology, by promoting interdisciplinary researches that revolve around the broader topic of personal health, with a particular focus on the mechanisms, diagnosis, monitoring, treatment, clinical sciences and regenerative medicine for health promotion and disease prevention. With its strategic location at the Prince of Wales Hospital, the Institute is backed up by a broad clinical base of one of the largest clinical catchment areas within the territory. It is anticipated that the Institute will be developed into a hub of innovation in health sciences.