C2i and C2iTech Join Forces with Jingke to Establish a Cross-Border Strategic Partnership Focused on Patient-Derived Organoids for Personalized Oncology Solutions

The InnoHK Centre for Immunology & Infection Limited (C2i) and its spin-off C2iTech Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Guangzhou Jingke Biotech Co., Ltd. and Shenzhen Jingke Biotech Co., Ltd. to advance patient-derived organoid (PDO) technologies for personalized oncology.

The signing parties were represented by Professor Leo Poon, Managing Director, C2i; Professor Michael Chan, CEO, C2iTech; Mr. Sheng Li, Chairman, Jingke Biotech Group, and Professor Hong Li, General Manager, Guangzhou Jingke Biotech Co. Ltd.

Under the MOU, the parties will initiate a Hong Kong–based pilot with local hospitals to generate high-quality, reproducible evidence for PDO-based tumor drug-sensitivity testing and to explore practical pathways for responsible scale-up under robust quality frameworks. C2i will leverage its Cell Processing Facility (CPF) at Hong Kong Science Park (HKSTP), designed to align with GMP principles (with Hitachi and Rorze Life Sciences), while the collaboration progresses quality-system work that can support future ISO applications. The initial focus will be lung cancer, building on C2iTech’s respiratory organoid expertise as a natural entry into oncology.

From left to right: Professor Michael Chan, Chief Executive Officer, C2iTech Limited; Professor Leo Poon, Managing Director, C2i; Mr. Sheng Li, Chairman, Jingke Biotech Group and Professor Hong Li, General Manager, Guangzhou Jingke Biotech Co. Ltd

Following the signing, the Jingke delegation toured C2i’s laboratories, where they observed a demonstration of the advanced automated organoid culture system in action.

“Our role is to ensure the evidence base meets clinical and regulatory expectations. In Hong Kong, we will run a pilot under approved protocols that produces high-quality, reproducible data for the patient-derived organoid (PDO) drug-sensitivity platform, supported by our Cell Processing Facility (CPF) at Hong Kong Science Park (HKSTP), built to GMP-aligned design with Hitachi and Rorze Life Sciences. The pilot also provides a practical pathway to scale operational capacity within disciplined quality frameworks and will inform our ISO accreditation efforts. As results mature, we intend to contribute peer-reviewed publications that advance precision oncology” said Professor Leo Poon, Managing Director, C2i.

“By combining Jingke’s proven organoid know-how with C2iTech’s translational work, we’re piloting organoid testing with local hospitals. We are starting with lung cancer—building on our respiratory organoid expertise—as a natural entry into oncology. Working with senior clinicians, our aim is straightforward: support doctors in identifying therapy options more quickly and with greater confidence. We’re also studying whether patient-derived organoids can help inform next steps when cancer changes—after partial response, emerging drug resistance, or metastasis—so care teams can consider timely adjustments. While this programme remains under evaluation and regulatory preparation, we’re building the quality systems needed to enable safe, accessible personalized testing” said Professor Michael Chan, Chief Executive Officer, C2iTech Limited.

“This cross-border, four-party Memorandum of Understanding is the result of extensive preparation and constructive dialogue. Our strategic collaboration aims to become another exemplary model of Guangdong–Hong Kong biotech co-innovation. By fully leveraging our respective strengths—from technology R&D and innovation to clinical translation, industrialization, and engagement on policy and standards—we will advance high-impact applications of organoid technology in disease modeling, drug screening, and personalized medicine. We look forward to delivering outcomes that serve the Greater Bay Area and reaching the world” said Mr. Sheng Li, Chairman, Jingke Biotech Group.

Demonstration of C2i’s advanced automated organoid culture system

About the InnoHK Centre for Immunology & Infection Limited

The Centre for Immunology & Infection (C2i) is the fruit of a long-standing partnership of more than 20 years between the LKS Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed) and the Institut Pasteur, two major institutions combining their expertise to establish this centre of excellence.

This major initiative, funded by the Innovation and Technology Commission as part of the InnoHK initiative, adopts innovative strategies to confront and mitigate the impact of emerging infectious diseases and transform Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area into a global hub of knowledge and research.

Website: https://www.c2i.hk

About C2iTech

C2iTech specializes in advanced virology services, delivering cutting-edge solutions for infectious diseases. Our platforms cater to both academia and industry, leveraging innovative research to enhance virology and immunology efforts.

As a spin-off of the Centre for Immunology & Infection (C2i), C2iTech is dedicated to improving the understanding and management of infectious diseases, ensuring our clients lead in scientific innovation. Website: https://www.c2itech.hk

About Shenzhen Jingke Biotech Co., Ltd

Founded in 2015 and headquartered in the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Cooperation Zone (Hetao), Shenzhen Jingke Biotech Co., Ltd is the parent company of Jingke Biotech Group. Jingke is a national high-tech enterprise integrating R&D, manufacturing and sales of IVD (In-Vitro Diagnostics) reagents/instruments with medical testing services. The company has received several accolades, including recognition as a National Demonstration Center for Gene Detection Technology and designation as a National High-Tech Enterprise. Guided by Academician Yuquan Wei, Jingke's expert team specializes in precision medicine and multi-omics, leveraging technology platforms in Mass Spectrometry, Genomics, and Organoids.

With a GMP-compliant R&D and production system, Jingke offers clinical testing and CRO services through its Medical Testing Laboratories in various cities. The company serves a global clientele, providing integrated solutions in genetics, mass spectrometry, and organoids to hospitals, research institutions, and pharmaceutical companies.

Website: https://www.jingkebiotech.com

About Guangzhou Jingke Biotech Co., Ltd.

Located on Guangzhou International Bio Island, Guangzhou Jingke Biotech Co., Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jingke Biotech Group. The company focuses on the development and translation of organoid technology for biomedical applications. Building on an organoid biobank, it provides organoid products, services and equipment for precision medicine, research and drug development, and is developing an AI-enabled automated organoid analysis platform. Guangzhou Jingke led the drafting of the Chinese Mainland’s first association standard for breast cancer organoid technology

Since 2018, Guangzhou Jingke has built a comprehensive organoid technology platform covering the entire industry chain. It has successfully commercialized organoid technology and positioned itself as a leader in the Chinese Mainland, establishing collaborations with hospitals, national key laboratories, universities, research institutions, and pharmaceutical companies.

Website: https://www.jingkebiotech.com

Media enquiries:

Centre for Immunology & Infection Limited (C2i) Simon Muller (Tel: 6194 7531 | Email: simon.muller@c2i.hk)

Jingke Biotech Cuibin Guo 郭翠滨 (Mobile & WeChat:15920924283 | Email: cuibin.guo@jingkebiotech.com)