Hong Kong outlines ‘One plus Three’ model for life and health tech R&D

A headquarters for the Life and Health Technology Research Institutes will be set up.

Hong Kong is advancing the development of its life and health technology sector across research, according to Financial Secretary Paul Chan in his 2026-27 Budget Speech.

Chan said the government will adopt a “One plus Three” model for upstream research and development (R&D).

Under the model, a headquarters for the Life and Health Technology Research Institutes will be established in the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Co-operation Zone, alongside three university-led branches.

Additional research and development centres have been set up under the InnoHK Research Clusters, Chan noted.

For midstream commercialisation, the Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme has supported 15 projects to date.

“As for downstream industries, three major I&T parks together host nearly 500relevant enterprises and organisations, creating a vibrant ecosystem,” he added.

Clinical trial boost

Chan also announced that the International Clinical Trial Academy will be established next year to support the global development of the Mainland’s biomedicine sector and attract foreign investment.

He added that the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute at Hetao Hong Kong Park has launched a collaboration platform with its Shenzhen counterpart.

“It provides a one‑stop clinical trial support platform that brings together researchers and integrates databases for promoting R&D of biomedicine and vaccines,” Chan said.