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The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and AstraZeneca Global R&D (China) Co., Ltd. (AstraZeneca) signed a 5-year Strategic Alliance Agreement today (16 April), with the aim to facilitate the scientific communication between academia and industry, thereby accelerating the transformation of basic medical research to clinical practice.

Witnessed by CUHK’s Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Alumni Relations & Advancement) Professor Anthony T.C. Chan, Dean of CUHK’s Faculty of Medicine (CU Medicine) Professor Philip Chiu Wai-yan and Chairman of the Department of Clinical Oncology of CU Medicine Professor Tony Mok; and Senior Vice President and Head of R&D China of AstraZeneca Dr Jing He, General Manager of AstraZeneca Hong Kong and Macau Ms Shan Wu, Vice President and Head of Biometrics of AstraZeneca R&D China Dr Meng Chen and Senior Director and Head of Strategy of AstraZeneca R&D China Dr Xiaoxiao Qian, the agreement was signed by CUHK’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Sham Mai-har and Vice President and Head of Development Operations of AstraZeneca R&D China Mr Wilson Zheng.

By forming the alliance, the two parties will join hands to explore areas of common interest, including but not limited to human disease mechanisms, data sciences for multi-omics research, biomarker identification and validation, translational medicine research, clinical trial support, scientific exchange and talent development.

Professor Lo said in his opening remarks: “This partnership is not merely an agreement, but a commitment to breaking barriers and forging pathways to a brighter future. Our objective is clear: to facilitate scientific communication between academia and industry, accelerating the transformation of groundbreaking research into clinical practice that improves and saves lives. Together, we will push the boundaries of innovation and bring life-changing solutions to those who need them most.”

Professor Chan said: “The CUHK Clinical Trial Centre (CUHK CTC), with its strong expertise and solid achievements, plays a pivotal role in the innovation journey — transforming research findings into clinical practices.”

In his closing remarks, Professor Mok emphasised: “Academia and the pharmaceutical industry share the same vision of bringing scientific excellence to the clinic and our common objective is to provide the optimal healthcare to patients.”

Dr He said: “We recognise that scientific advancements and innovative breakthroughs require collective efforts. Building upon the foundation of our Global R&D China Hong Kong Centre established in 2023, we are proud to enter into a strategic memorandum of understanding with CUHK, a distinguished institution lauded for its top-notch research teams in medicine and life sciences. Through this collaboration, we are committed to enriching foundational scientific research, advancing translational medicine, enhancing clinical research, and expanding big data applications across various therapy areas. We are eager to see how our combined efforts will drive progress in global pharmaceutical research and meet patients’ needs.”

Ms Wu stated: “Hong Kong is renowned for its advanced medical research and innovation. AstraZeneca remains steadfast in our commitment to nurturing a thriving ecosystem that promotes innovative healthcare solutions, advanced drug discovery, and transformative clinical research. Today, we are proud to embark on a strategic partnership with CUHK, aiming to enhance the translation of groundbreaking medical research into effective healthcare solutions. Through this partnership and our sustained investment in R&D in Hong Kong, we are poised to elevate the region’s status as a world-class hub for medical innovation. Together, we strive to deliver meaningful benefits to patients and communities across the region, ensuring that advancements in medical science translate into improved health outcomes for all.”