29 Nov 2024

HKU Signs Agreement with China Merchants Group on Peptide Drug Innovation and Discovery to Pioneer Collaboration in Biopharmaceutical Research

(From back left) Mr. Pierre Wang, Managing Director of Versitech Limited, Professor Xuechen Li, Associate Dean of Science Faculty, Professor Qiang Zhou, Dean of Science Faculty, Professor Xiang Zhang, President of HKU, Mr. Jianmin Miao, Chairman of CMG, Mr. Renjie Deng, Executive Vice President, Mr. Junli Zhang, Assistant General Manager and Office Director, CMG, Mr. Changjiang Huang, General Manager of Tianjin Institute of Pharmaceutical Research Co., Ltd.

(From front left) Mr. Weidong Deng, General Manager of China Merchants Innovation Technology, Professor Max Shen, Vice President of HKU, Mr. Xiaohua Huang, General Manager of China Merchants Health Industry Holdings Co., Ltd. and Chairman of Tianjin Pharmaceutical Research Institute Co., Ltd.

The University of Hong Kong (HKU), represented by Versitech Limited, signed an agreement with China Merchants Group (CMG) on peptide drug innovation and discovery on 27 November. This partnership signifies a joint effort to develop new peptide drugs, advance peptide research, and translate these findings into practical applications, offering innovative solutions for tackling complex diseases.

The signing ceremony was held on the HKU campus, attended by Professor Xiang Zhang, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKU, and Mr. Jianmin Miao, Chairman of CMG. Other guests included Professor Max Shen, Vice President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research); Professor Qiang Zhou, Dean of the Faculty of Science; Professor Chi-Ming Che, Laboratory Director of the State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry; Professor Xuechen Li, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Science, at HKU; Mr. Renjie Deng, Executive Vice President, and Mr. Junli Zhang, Assistant General Manager and Office Director, at CMG.

According to the agreement, HKU and CMG together with its subsidiary the Tianjin Institute of Pharmaceutical Research (TIPR) aim to leverage the strengths of both parties to advance innovation in the biopharmaceutical field and bring significant progress to peptide drug research in the future. In the event, HKU’s state key laboratory for synthetic chemistry and the Tianjin Institute of Pharmaceutical Research 's state key laboratory have also signed the strategic collaboration.

Professor Xuechen Li highlighted the significance of collaboration, stating that it offers a unique opportunity to translate research findings into practical applications, underscoring the importance of academia-industry partnership in driving scientific innovation.

In his concluding speech, Professor Max Shen stated that this collaboration demonstrates China Merchants Group's commitment to innovative research. He expressed his anticipation for enhancing cooperation with China Merchants Group to promote further research. Professor Shen also envisions further collaboration between the University and the industry to drive innovation and entrepreneurship development in both Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.

About China Merchants Group
China Merchants Group (CMG) is one of China’s centrally administrated state-owned enterprises and a key section of the backbone of the national economy. Founded and headquartered in Hong Kong, it was one of the earliest Chinese-funded enterprises to operate there. CMG is a century-old comprehensive and Hong Kong-based central enterprise.

About Versitech Limited
Versitech Limited is the commercial arm of HKU. It was established in 1994 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the University and is incorporated as a non-profit company with prominent business people on its Board of Management. Versitech negotiates, executes and manages commercial business contracts and agreements on behalf of the University. To serve business and community needs, Versitech undertakes the commercialisation of HKU innovations and technologies through licensing, the creation of start-ups or collaboration, and engages in contract research and consulting in conjunction with HKU researchers. Website: https://www.versitech.hku.hk.

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