The 5th International Conference on Regenerative Medicine for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has concluded its 2026 iteration, co-hosted across Macao and the neighboring Guangdong province’s Hengqin New Area by the University of Macau (UM), the institution confirmed in an official media briefing this Monday, April 21. Drawing close to 400 attendees spanning the global scientific and healthcare community, the gathering brought together top-tier academic researchers, practicing clinical specialists, biotech industry leaders, early-career scientists and graduate students from dozens of countries to exchange cutting-edge insights in the fast-growing field.
Centered around the core theme “Decoding Pluripotency and Reshaping Therapy,” this year’s conference centered its discussions and collaborative workshops on three key focus areas: advances in pluripotent stem cell research, breakthrough innovations in regenerative medicine, and the growing importance of cross-sector interdisciplinary collaboration to move the field forward. Unlike many single-venue academic events, the dual-site format across Macao and Hengqin was designed to reflect the integrated development agenda of the Greater Bay Area, facilitating cross-jurisdictional exchange of knowledge, talent and innovative resources.
In his opening remarks at the event, UM Vice-Rector Ge Wei emphasized that the annual conference has evolved into a foundational regional platform for driving research progress and innovation in regenerative medicine across the Greater Bay Area. He noted that the successful organization of the cross-border conference serves as a tangible example of how the Greater Bay Area is advancing deep integration, enabling the free dynamic flow of talented researchers, groundbreaking ideas, and innovative development resources across its constituent regions.
Xu Renhe, Associate Dean of UM’s Faculty of Health Sciences and co-chair of the 2026 conference, highlighted the event’s unique strategic focus: closing the long-standing gap between foundational laboratory research and real-world clinical use. By creating dedicated spaces for conversation between basic scientists and clinical practitioners, the conference aims to speed up the translation of promising early-stage research outcomes into life-changing clinical therapies and accessible medical applications that can benefit patients globally.