The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP, a public corporation set up by the Hong Kong Government) and the LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed) have announced the launch of HKU-HKSTP Collaborative Programme and the opening of HKUMed Laboratory of Cellular Therapeutics, a leading-edge GMP laboratory to safeguard public health and facilitate the development of advanced therapy products (ATPs).

The HKUMed GMP Lab aims to manufacture clinical-grade ATPs as investigational medicinal products (IMP) for clinical trials and to provide a brand-new unique training platform for scientists and clinicians.

This is Hong Kong’s first GMP multi-products facility with approval in principle from the HKSAR Department of Health for an ATP manufacturing license. The facility will also serve as a Pharmaceutical Inspection Convention and Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme (PIC/S) GMP-compliant training centre for key personnel involved in ATPs manufacturing, quality control and assurance.

In terms of commercialisation of local research breakthroughs, the HKUMed GMP Lab will collaborate with biotechnology companies on GMP projects and pilot trials. Clinical trials on CAR-T and stem cell therapies are targeted to be available in five years, which aim at benefiting non-cancer patients as well.

To pave way for commencing product development in the upcoming Jockey Club Centre for Clinical Innovation and Discovery at Grantham Hospital, equipped with GMP laboratory for gene and cell therapy in tenfold scale, the HKUMed GMP Lab will collaborate with pharmaceutical companies in the localised manufacturing of cellular products for such as CAR-T therapies.