Search
What are you looking for?
Start main content

Press Releases

Press Releases

https://www.med.cuhk.edu.hk/press-releases/cuhk-receives-hkd150-million-donation-from-li-ka-shing-foundation-in-support-of-research-and-development-of-biomedical-technologies
https://www.med.cuhk.edu.hk/press-releases/cuhk-receives-hkd150-million-donation-from-li-ka-shing-foundation-in-support-of-research-and-development-of-biomedical-technologies

CUHK receives HK$150 million donation from Li Ka Shing Foundation in support of research and development of biomedical technologies

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has received a generous donation of HK$150 million from the Li Ka Shing Foundation. The donation will be supported by funding and in-kind contributions at CUHK to establish a development fund valued at $300 million in the Faculty of Medicine (CU Medicine) to support research and development in biomedical technology.

 

An ageing population is burdening many of the world’s healthcare systems. At the same time, infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and the fallout from the pandemic are posing imminent threats to global health. To cope with these pressing challenges, it is imperative to strengthen medical research and accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries into clinical applications.

 

In view of this, CU Medicine has launched the Passion for Perfection (P for P) Scheme with the primary goal of accelerating the process of translating laboratory discovery into patient care—often referred to as a “bench to bedside” process, resulting in medical advances and improved human health. The P for P scheme will also strengthen and protect innovations and intellectual property development, and facilitate entrepreneurship at CUHK, leading to the enhancement and improvement of healthcare in Hong Kong.

 

CUHK representatives thank Dr. Li Ka-shing (middle) for his generous donation to support the University’s research and development in biomedical technology

CUHK representatives thank Dr. Li Ka-shing (middle) for his generous donation to support the University’s research and development in biomedical technology.

 

(From left) Professor Anthony Chan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of CUHK; Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK; Dr. Li Ka-shing; Professor John Y. Chai, Council Chairman of CUHK; and Professor Francis Chan, Dean of Medicine at CUHK.

During a meeting with the Chairman of the Foundation, Dr. Li Ka-shing, last Friday (17 June), Professor John Y. Chai, Council Chairman of CUHK, said, “We deeply appreciate the generous donation of HK$150 million made by the Li Ka Shing Foundation to support new translational biomedical research projects in the Faculty of Medicine. This donation will play an important role in ensuring that CUHK’s commitment to innovation in biomedicine continues to bridge the gap between basic science and clinical applications, which means more people from across society will benefit from cutting-edge research.”

 

Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, added, “Biomedical research and biotechnology development represent the driver of discoveries and best practices to improve quality of life, essential to societal well-being and economic prosperity in Hong Kong, the nation, and the world. We are deeply grateful to the Li Ka Shing Foundation for its generous donation to CUHK. This magnanimous gift will empower CUHK to build on its world class strengths in innovative biomedicine, a key pillar of our 2021-25 Strategic Plan that aims for “Excellence with Purpose and Responsibility”, to break new grounds in frontier biomedical research and translational developments to transform patient care and public health.”

 

At the meeting, Professor Anthony Chan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of CUHK, explained how CUHK plans to use the money. He said, “With the support of this donation, CU Medicine will launch an innovative “Passion for Perfection” (P for P) scheme, providing funding to support projects that have the potential to develop useful new diagnostic tools or therapeutic approaches. CU Medicine will also strengthen its existing clinical trial centre to facilitate clinical evaluation of these new tools and accelerate the translation of basic research outputs into clinical applications, thereby enhancing our translational clinical research.”

 

Specifically, two initiatives will be undertaken:

 

1. Development of Prototypes of New Diagnostic or Therapeutic Approaches

 

A new funding scheme will be launched to support research on novel diagnostic tools that will enable patients to seek early medical treatment and significantly improve their chances of recovery. Research on the development of advanced therapeutic products, particularly those based on novel modalities such as cellular, genetic, and biologic agents, will also be supported. A sustainable innovation ecosystem will be in place to promote establishment of start-ups such that outstanding research outcomes can be translated and commercialised.

 

2. Enhancement of Infrastructure to Facilitate Clinical Validation of the New Approaches

 

Clinical evaluation in relevant patient cohorts is a key step to bring new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to routine clinical use. To expedite the “bench to bedside” process, a dedicated team will be established in the existing clinical trial centre, responsible for patient recruitment, clinical evaluation and timely reporting of patient progress, and monitoring of safety and emerging ethical issues. The goal is to increase the speed and efficiency of translating research discoveries to advances in patient care.

 

Professor Francis Chan, Dean of Medicine at CUHK, said, “Since its establishment 40 years ago, the Faculty has been upholding the core value of patient-centeredness and actively improving the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases through medical research. Our ultimate goal is that our discoveries in research can be practically applied in ways that matter to patients. The generous donation from Dr. Li Ka-shing and the Foundation has greatly enhanced our capability in this translational journey, allowing us to develop world-changing medical technologies for the benefit of patients and the well-being of humankind”.

 

Over the years, the Li Ka Shing Foundation has actively supported the development of medical education and research at CUHK. As early as 2005, it donated generously to support the establishment of the Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences at CUHK. Since then, the Foundation has continued to make substantial donations to support a number of CUHK research units and departments, including the Institute for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine and CU Medicine, totalling more than HK$400 million, which has been an essential source of support enabling researchers to develop cutting edge medical solutions and pioneer new approaches to healthcare.

More Press Releases

CUHK Receives HK$30 million Donation from Li Ka Shing Foundation to Enhance Research Space and Facilities at CU Medicine

CUHK Receives HK$30 million Donation from Li Ka Shing Foundation to Enhance Research Space and Facilities at CU Medicine

Donation
中大醫學院就行政長官今日(10月19日)發表2022施政報告的回應 (Chinese Version Only)

中大醫學院就行政長官今日(10月19日)發表2022施政報告的回應 (Chinese Version Only)

Response
CU Medicine supported by the Hospital Authority to launch HK’s first large-scale Long COVID survey, aiming to inform the government on impact of long COVID on healthcare services

CU Medicine supported by the Hospital Authority to launch HK’s first large-scale Long COVID survey, aiming to inform the government on impact of long COVID on healthcare services

Research
中大醫學院就2022-23財政預算案的回應 (Chinese Version Only)

中大醫學院就2022-23財政預算案的回應 (Chinese Version Only)

Response
Clarification -- 中大醫學院澄清啟事 (Chinese Version Only)

Clarification -- 中大醫學院澄清啟事 (Chinese Version Only)

Response
CUHK Develops a Novel Faecal Test that can Detect Polyps and Early Colon Cancers  with Sensitivity Over 90%

CUHK Develops a Novel Faecal Test that can Detect Polyps and Early Colon Cancers with Sensitivity Over 90%

Research
CU Medicine Study Shows Modulation of Gut Microbiota  Helps Enhance Safety and Efficacy of COVID-19 Vaccine

CU Medicine Study Shows Modulation of Gut Microbiota Helps Enhance Safety and Efficacy of COVID-19 Vaccine

Research
CU Medicine Finds New Evidence for Link between Gut Microbiome and COVID-19 Severity Microbiome Imbalance Might Influence “Long COVID” Risk

CU Medicine Finds New Evidence for Link between Gut Microbiome and COVID-19 Severity Microbiome Imbalance Might Influence “Long COVID” Risk

Research
40% of Hong Kong People Show Gut Dysbiosis Comparable to that of COVID-19 Patients CUHK Microbiome Immunity Formula Hastens Recovery of COVID-19 Patients and Offers Hope to Boost Immunity

40% of Hong Kong People Show Gut Dysbiosis Comparable to that of COVID-19 Patients CUHK Microbiome Immunity Formula Hastens Recovery of COVID-19 Patients and Offers Hope to Boost Immunity

Research
CU Medicine Found SARS-CoV2 in Infants' Stool A Coronavirus Testing Centre Is Established for Paediatric Population to Identify Silent Carriers

CU Medicine Found SARS-CoV2 in Infants' Stool A Coronavirus Testing Centre Is Established for Paediatric Population to Identify Silent Carriers

Research
CU Medicine Develops a Probiotic Formula to Target Imbalance in Gut Microbiota in COVID-19

CU Medicine Develops a Probiotic Formula to Target Imbalance in Gut Microbiota in COVID-19

Research
CU Medicine Offers Free Stool Screening Test for COVID-19 in Children arriving at Airport

CU Medicine Offers Free Stool Screening Test for COVID-19 in Children arriving at Airport

Clinical service
CUHK Finds that the Coronavirus Can Persist in Stool after Its Clearance in Respiratory Tract Will Conduct Stool Test for People in Quarantine Camps for Early Identification

CUHK Finds that the Coronavirus Can Persist in Stool after Its Clearance in Respiratory Tract Will Conduct Stool Test for People in Quarantine Camps for Early Identification

Research
The Helmsley Charitable Trust Funds Asian Research into Babies’ Gut Microbiota and Crohn’s Disease

The Helmsley Charitable Trust Funds Asian Research into Babies’ Gut Microbiota and Crohn’s Disease

Research
CUHK to Commence the Next-Generation Clinical Trials of CAR-T Cell Therapy for Haematological Malignancy

CUHK to Commence the Next-Generation Clinical Trials of CAR-T Cell Therapy for Haematological Malignancy

Research
李嘉誠基金會啟動《愛能助》兒童癌症項目 資助兒童罕見癌症 (Chinese version only)

李嘉誠基金會啟動《愛能助》兒童癌症項目 資助兒童罕見癌症 (Chinese version only)

Donation
CUHK Establishes Hong Kong Hub of Paediatric Excellence (HK HOPE) Multidisciplinary Efforts Across the Globe to Advance Children’s Health and Well-being

CUHK Establishes Hong Kong Hub of Paediatric Excellence (HK HOPE) Multidisciplinary Efforts Across the Globe to Advance Children’s Health and Well-being

Health Campaign
Professor Francis CHAN as the First Chinese Honoured with the American College of Gastroenterology International Leadership Award 2018

Professor Francis CHAN as the First Chinese Honoured with the American College of Gastroenterology International Leadership Award 2018

Awards and honors
CUHK Establishes Asia’s First Microbiota Transplantation and Research Centre Hope for New Strategies in Disease Prevention and Cure

CUHK Establishes Asia’s First Microbiota Transplantation and Research Centre Hope for New Strategies in Disease Prevention and Cure

Research
CUHK Pioneers in Introducing Museum-Based Observational Skills into Medical Education

CUHK Pioneers in Introducing Museum-Based Observational Skills into Medical Education

Education
A CUHK-led International Study Demonstrates Immune-checkpoint Inhibitor Is Effective in Patients with Advanced Nasopharyngeal Cancer

A CUHK-led International Study Demonstrates Immune-checkpoint Inhibitor Is Effective in Patients with Advanced Nasopharyngeal Cancer

Research
10th Palliative Care Symposium for Healthcare Workers in Chinese Population: ‘Succession ‧ Innovation’

10th Palliative Care Symposium for Healthcare Workers in Chinese Population: ‘Succession ‧ Innovation’

Symposium
CUHK Announces World’s First Systematic Review of the Global Incidence and Prevalence of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in the 21st Century Reveals Surge in Hong Kong in past 30 years

CUHK Announces World’s First Systematic Review of the Global Incidence and Prevalence of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in the 21st Century Reveals Surge in Hong Kong in past 30 years

Research
CUHK Unravels the Whole Genome of Nasopharyngeal Cancer A Great Leap Forward in Personalized Medicine Development

CUHK Unravels the Whole Genome of Nasopharyngeal Cancer A Great Leap Forward in Personalized Medicine Development

Research
The 9th Palliative Care Symposium for Health Care Workers in Chinese Population: ‘Integrating Palliative Care into General Care: Paving the Way for the Future’

The 9th Palliative Care Symposium for Health Care Workers in Chinese Population: ‘Integrating Palliative Care into General Care: Paving the Way for the Future’

Symposium
CUHK World’s First Study Sets a New Direction on Aspirin Use after Lower Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage

CUHK World’s First Study Sets a New Direction on Aspirin Use after Lower Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage

Research
The 8th Palliative Care Symposium for Health Care Workers in Chinese Population: ‘Advancing Palliative Care in Hong Kong: Opportunities and Challenges’

The 8th Palliative Care Symposium for Health Care Workers in Chinese Population: ‘Advancing Palliative Care in Hong Kong: Opportunities and Challenges’

Symposium
CUHK Professor Dennis Lo Awarded King Faisal International Prize for Medicine

CUHK Professor Dennis Lo Awarded King Faisal International Prize for Medicine

Awards and honors
CUHK Opens Phase I Clinical Trial Centre To Step Up New Drug Development in Hong Kong

CUHK Opens Phase I Clinical Trial Centre To Step Up New Drug Development in Hong Kong

Research
The 6th Palliative Care Symposium for Health Care Workers in Chinese Population: ‘Palliative Care for Geriatric Cancer Patients’

The 6th Palliative Care Symposium for Health Care Workers in Chinese Population: ‘Palliative Care for Geriatric Cancer Patients’

Symposium
CUHK discovers that 40% of Individuals at Risk of Coronary Heart Disease have Pre-cancerous Bowel Tumors

CUHK discovers that 40% of Individuals at Risk of Coronary Heart Disease have Pre-cancerous Bowel Tumors

Research
Bowel Cancer Will Become Top Cancer in Hong Kong CUHK Introduces Colon Pill Camera to Prevent Bowel Cancer

Bowel Cancer Will Become Top Cancer in Hong Kong CUHK Introduces Colon Pill Camera to Prevent Bowel Cancer

Surgical advancement
CUHK Discovers Up to 30% of Asymptomatic Subjects in Hong Kong Suffered from Pre-cancerous Bowel Tumors

CUHK Discovers Up to 30% of Asymptomatic Subjects in Hong Kong Suffered from Pre-cancerous Bowel Tumors

Research
CUHK Introduces Double Balloon Enteroscopy Service to Manage Small Bowel Diseases

CUHK Introduces Double Balloon Enteroscopy Service to Manage Small Bowel Diseases

Clinical service
Predicting Your Colorectal-polyp Risk with CUHK Colorectal-polyp Prediction Index (CU-CPI)

Predicting Your Colorectal-polyp Risk with CUHK Colorectal-polyp Prediction Index (CU-CPI)

Clinical service

Our Expert List

Many experts under the Faculty of Medicine are available for media interview.
Please click here for the expert list or contact us.