One of the biotechnology industry’s most high-profile global gatherings, the 2026 BIO International Convention, has hosted a historic delegation from Hong Kong that has cemented the city’s growing reputation as a leading global biotech innovation hub. Held in San Diego, California, the convention drew the largest contingent of Hong Kong-based life and health technology innovators in the event’s history, all unified under a shared regional banner to showcase the city’s cutting-edge advancements and collaborative potential.
Led by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), the 41-member delegation includes emerging technology startups, top-tier research institutions, and university spin-off ventures, with participation from all five of Hong Kong’s globally ranked universities – all of which place among the top 100 institutions worldwide in the latest QS World University Rankings. This broad, cross-sector participation underscores the depth of Hong Kong’s research infrastructure and its robust pipeline of skilled biotech talent. The dedicated Hong Kong Pavilion at the convention highlights a range of breakthrough innovations spanning AI-integrated biotech development, next-generation targeted therapeutics, advanced diagnostic tools, and novel pharmaceutical research.
The city’s official presence at the convention was coordinated by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco (HKETO San Francisco), in strategic partnership with HKSTP, Invest Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) under the umbrella of the Economic and Trade Express platform. Ahead of the official opening of the convention, the collaborating organizations hosted a dedicated networking and business matching event titled *Bio Nexus HK: From Showcase to Partnership*, which attracted more than 100 international attendees including venture capital investors, biotech founders, and C-level industry decision-makers. The event featured a candid fireside chat followed by an industry networking dinner, creating an open, collaborative environment that fostered cross-border dialogue and laid early groundwork for potential commercial partnerships.
Throughout the main convention program, the Hong Kong Pavilion hosted two well-attended “Global Mixer” sessions that drew more than 150 international participants, with more than 40 Hong Kong-based exhibitors delivering concise one-minute pitches to connect with global investors, partners, and customers. Delegation members also received an invitation to the exclusive Invest in San Diego Breakfast hosted by the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation, an opportunity that allowed Hong Kong innovators to build ties with one of the world’s most vibrant and dynamic life sciences ecosystems.
The delegation left the convention with tangible, high-impact outcomes, including multiple new partnership agreements. One notable milestone saw Zhaoke Ophthalmology, a Hong Kong-listed biotech firm focused on developing treatments for six prevalent major eye diseases, sign a memorandum of understanding with Brazilian pharmaceutical giant Laboratorio Teuto Brasileiro S.A. The agreement paves the way for the company to explore market entry opportunities across Latin America, opening a critical new growth corridor for the Hong Kong-based innovator.
Terry Wong, Chief Executive Officer of HKSTP, emphasized that BIO 2026 provided an unrivaled global platform for Hong Kong innovators to deepen existing international partnerships and unlock new access to global healthcare markets. Wong highlighted Hong Kong’s unique position as a “super-connector” that bridges global biotech innovators with fast-growing opportunities across the entire Asia region, a role supported by the city’s world-class academic institutions and rapidly maturing biotech innovation ecosystem.
Andy Wong, Head of Innovation and Technology and Life and Health Sciences at InvestHK, framed Hong Kong as a dynamic launchpad for global biotech growth, pointing to the array of targeted government support programs designed to help international companies navigate Hong Kong’s regulatory landscape, access venture and growth capital, and scale their operations across Asia.
Curtis Louie, Director of the HKTDC, reaffirmed the council’s ongoing commitment to connecting Hong Kong’s biotech innovators with global industry partners through the organization’s extensive global network of 51 international offices, alongside its flagship industry platforms including the Asia Summit on Global Health and the Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair.
Lucas Coleman, Director of the World Trade Center San Diego, noted that San Diego’s world-renowned life sciences cluster and collaborative, innovation-focused business environment make it a natural partner for Hong Kong companies seeking to establish a foothold in the U.S. market and accelerate their global growth trajectory.
D.C. Cheung, Director of HKETO San Francisco, added that the 2026 convention offered an exceptional opportunity to showcase Hong Kong’s latest biotech achievements to an international audience of industry leaders, noting that the strong global rankings of Hong Kong’s universities reinforce the city’s status as a leading education hub that cultivates the specialized talent critical to long-term biotech industry growth.
Widely recognized as the world’s largest and most comprehensive industry gathering for the global biotechnology sector, BIO 2026 has served as a critical launching pad for Hong Kong’s next wave of biotech innovation to reach global markets.