The University of Hong Kong (HKU), the University of Cambridge (UCAM), and the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the international headquarters of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Global Health Institute at HKU (The Institute). This collaboration aims to enhance pandemic preparedness, and accelerate cutting-edge vaccine research, development and implementation with the aid of a global research support from The Hong Kong Jockey Club.

HKU’s LKS Faculty of Medicine (HKUMed) will serve as the headquarters and lead for the ground-breaking partnership, bringing together the collective expertise and strengths of HKU, IVI and UCAM. This collaboration aims to tackle global challenges posed by recent pandemics and bolster preparedness at the academic, industry and policy levels, translating research into practical applications that effectively prevent and mitigate epidemic and endemic infectious diseases that have a national, regional or global impact.  

The Institute will adopt a multifaceted strategy to strengthen the global response to pandemic threats and foster equitable access to safe and affordable vaccines worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This comprehensive approach includes systemic surveillance, early detection, advanced diagnostics, adaptable clinical trials, streamlined manufacturing technologies, and optimised supply chain management for efficient vaccine deployment.