The sixth Asia Summit on Global Health (ASGH), jointly organized by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), and the 17th Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair (Medical Fair) concluded successfully, facilitating over 1,000 investment and business matching meetings. The events, part of International Healthcare Week, drew approximately 3,000 participants from 43 countries and regions for the ASGH and some 13,000 buyers from 61 countries for the Medical Fair, underscoring Hong Kong's role as a global healthcare hub.
The ASGH, themed "Fuelling Healthcare Breakthroughs," featured over 90 global leaders discussing public health, frontier technologies, AI breakthroughs, healthcare investment, and the silver health economy. Plenary sessions addressed pandemic preparedness and the commercialization of medical research. Prof Ibrahim Abubakar of University College London emphasized the need to invest in infectious disease infrastructure and AI technology long before pandemics. Jonathan Symonds, Chair of GSK, noted that ageing populations and chronic diseases are becoming economic problems for developed countries. Nobel laureate Prof Michael Levitt highlighted Hong Kong's unique advantages in longevity research due to its high-quality statistical data.
AI was a central theme across multiple sessions. Natasha Chhatrapati of Pfizer Inc. stated that "AI is compressing timelines across the entire healthcare journey, from drug development and clinical research to how we engage with physicians and how patients consume care." The "Intelligence at Scale" and "Transforming Healthcare through Digital Health & AI Innovations" sessions explored AI's real-world impact. Dr James Xue of CANbridge Pharmaceuticals pointed out that China's large population base allows companies to build better drug candidates.
The Silver Health Chapter addressed challenges from population ageing. Dr Alex Mihailidis of the University of Toronto stressed that successful technology for older people requires not just the technology but also a service delivery model and supportive practice and policy. The new "CSO Insights" session featured Dr Li Xiang of Fosun Pharma, who emphasized beginning drug discovery with unmet needs and clinical trial difficulties in mind.
Beyond thought leadership, the ASGH arranged over 400 one-on-one deal-making meetings, attracting investors from Europe, the US, Asia, and the Greater Bay Area. Colin Tan of TusPark Holdings noted that the platform helped forge a significant partnership in cancer research between a UK organization and a Hong Kong counterpart. The ASGH Business Hub and InnoHealth Showcase featured 180 healthcare innovation companies from 12 countries.
Ten Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed, including between HKSH Medical Group and Siemens Healthineers, establishing HKSH as Siemens' first Photon Counting Computed Tomography Simulation Reference Site in Asia. Australian AI startup Heidi Health signed agreements with EC Healthcare and Hong Kong Metropolitan University. The HKTDC also signed an MoU with the Hong Kong Singapore Business Association to support Mainland enterprises' expansion into Singapore and ASEAN markets.
The Medical Fair, themed "Innovations Boosting Smart Health Experience," featured some 300 exhibitors from 10 countries, with a focus on MedTech, GeronTech, and Preventive Healthcare. Exhibitors highlighted AI-driven products. Wong Cheung Hang of Health Care & Co reported strong interest in AI management systems and robotics, expecting at least 20% business growth. GenomeMe Lab Inc. from Canada connected with buyers from Hong Kong, Thailand, and India. Dresio Limited, under the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks, signed an MoU with a Filipino buyer for a contactless physiotherapy system, with a contract value exceeding HK$1 million.
The Medical Fair also attracted buyers from emerging markets. Dr Keo Sovann from Cambodia sought AI-powered medical imaging solutions, considering an order of 20 units. Rachid Zemmouri of Promamec from Morocco discussed thermodynamics solutions for eye-disease treatment, noting an annual procurement budget of around US$70 million. Over 50 themed forums and seminars covered topics like mental health innovation, medtech solutions, and gerontechnology.
The events demonstrated strong synergy, with the Hospital Authority Convention held concurrently. The EXHIBITION+ hybrid model allowed global participants to use Click2Match until 20 May. For more information, visit the Asia Summit on Global Health and Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair websites.
