Memoranda of Understanding Signing
On Cooperation in Automation of 2D & 3D Organoids Cell Culture & Joint Research for Large Production of Exosomes
The Centre for Immunology & Infection Limited (C2i), Hitachi East Asia Limited and collaboration companies have signed on 15 November 2023 two memoranda of understanding to promote a long-time cooperation and formulate partnership in joint research for automation of organoids cell culture and mass production of exosomes in Hong Kong and Mainland China.
Signed by Professor Leo Poon, Managing Director, Centre for Immunology & Infection Limited (C2i), Ms. Naoko Tsuzuki, Managing Director, Hitachi East Asia Limited, Professor Malik Peiris, Co-Director, C2i, Dr. Michael Chan, Principal Investigator, C2i, this collaboration aims at improving the treatment of acute lung injury by producing innovative, physiologically relevant, disease platforms for screening therapeutic candidates and developing molecules for treating acute lung injury and providing the highest quality services to help the general public tackle the challenges that come with these illnesses.
“We are excited to collaborate with Hitachi East Asia Limited on this critical research to develop innovative solutions and enhance public health” said Professor Leo Poon, Managing Director, Centre for Immunology & Infection Limited.
“It is our honour to work with the Centre for Immunology & Infection Limited for the commercialization in cell therapy and precision medicine in global market” said Ms. Naoko Tsuzuki, Managing Director, Hitachi East Asia Limited.
Mr. Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP, said, “I congratulate the new partnership between C2i and Hitachi, a testament to effective industry-academia collaboration that will see cutting-edge technology transforming healthcare R&D into market-ready solutions. This aligns with Hong Kong's accelerated innovation journey, bolstered by HKSAR Government’s HK$200 billion investment in I&T over the past seven years. The recent Policy Address, outlining new clinical trial centres and new industrialisation initiatives, adds momentum. At HKSTP, we provide the bridge to commercialisation that translates innovative ideas into marketable products, and build a supportive ecosystem that promotes technology convergence and investor access. We are in the right place at the right time, and in Science Park we are doing the right thing for everybody in the ecosystem.”
The two memoranda of understanding also recognize the importance of international collaboration, which is at the heart of the InnoHK scheme that powers the Centre for Immunology & Infection Limited, in developing new automation facilities with latest technologies of the highest standards. It aims to recognize the expansion, modernization, and extension of existing facilities in Hong Kong as a wide field for biotechnology cooperation in the sector of automation of organoids cell culture development and mass production with commercialization. This will be to the benefit of regenerative medicine industry in the Greater Bay Area and beyond.
From left to right: Dr. Michael Chan, Principal Investigator, C2i, Professor Leo Poon, Managing Director, C2i, Ms. Naoko Tsuzuki, Managing Director, Hitachi East Asia Limited, Professor Malik Peiris, Co-Director, C2i.
From left to right: Professor Bernard Cheung, Biotechnology Director, Innovation & Technology Commission, Mr. Albert Wong, CEO, HKSTP, Dr. Michael Chan, Principal Investigator, C2i, Professor Leo Poon, Managing Director, C2i, Ms. Naoko Tsuzuki, Managing Director, Hitachi East Asia Limited, Professor Malik Peiris, Co-Director, C2i, Mr. Andy Wong, Head of Innovation & Technology, InvestHK.
About Centre for Immunology & Infection Limited
The Centre for Immunology & Infection Limited (C2i) is the fruit of a long-standing partnership between the University of Hong Kong and the Institut Pasteur, using novel technology platforms for biomarker discovery and the development of new vaccine and therapeutic strategies to face public health challenges and make Hong Kong a global centre of excellence for precision medicine and innovative interventions targeting emerging infectious diseases.
The Centre aims to characterize immune responses to infectious agents and their components in a healthy Asian population, develop new vaccine platforms for influenza, new strategies to monitor mosquito-borne viruses and new treatments for lethal respiratory virus infections.
Website: https://www.c2i.hk
About Hitachi, Ltd.
Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business, creating a sustainable society through the use of data and technology. We solve customers' and society's challenges with Lumada solutions leveraging IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products. Hitachi operates under the business structure of “Digital Systems & Services” - supporting our customers’ digital transformation; “Green Energy & Mobility” - contributing to a decarbonized society through energy and railway systems, and “Connective Industries” - connecting products through digital technology to provide solutions in various industries. Driven by Digital, Green, and Innovation, we aim for growth through co-creation with our customers. The company’s consolidated revenues for fiscal year 2022 (ended March 31, 2023) totalled 10,881.1 billion yen, with 696 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 320,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at https://www.hitachi.com.
About Hitachi East Asia Limited
Hitachi East Asia Ltd., a 100% subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., in Hong Kong. We will contribute to the growth in the region by co-creating with customers to identify the social challenges and needs and deliver the solutions.
Website: https://www.hitachi.com.hk
Media enquiries:
Centre for Immunology & Infection Limited (C2i) Simon Muller (Tel: 6194 7531 | Email: simon.muller@c2i.hk)
Hitachi East Asia Limited
Andy Cheung (Tel: 96647966 | Email: mkcheung@hitachi.cn)
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