Department of Health and HKSTP Co-Host MPR Symposium on Hong Kong’s Future in Medical Product Regulation

(Hong Kong, 3 February 2026) — The Department of Health (DH) and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) today co-hosted the Medical Products Regulation (MPR) Symposium at Hong Kong Science Park. The symposium was attended by over 700 participants, convening senior representatives from regulatory authorities, leading academics, clinical experts, and industry innovators. The Symposium provided a platform to share the latest policy developments, foster cross-sector collaboration, and chart the next phase of Hong Kong’s journey to become a global authority in medical products regulation and biomedical innovation.

As stated in "The Chief Executive's 2025 Policy Address", the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation (CMPR) will be set up in 2026 and “primary evaluation” for new drug registration will be implemented in phases beginning in 2026. Under this model, Hong Kong will independently assess and approve medical products based on clinical evidence, without relying on approvals from other regulatory bodies. This approach aims to strengthen Hong Kong’s position as a global life and health hub by accelerating time to market and ensuring rigorous, transparent regulation.

Delivering his opening remarks, the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, said, “The DH has been closely monitoring technological developments in innovative medical devices and has issued guidance in a timely manner, such as technical reference documents for the listing of artificial intelligence medical devices, to assist the trade in understanding the relevant requirements. We firmly believe that promoting collaboration among industry, academia and research institutions is of vital importance. To this end, we have stepped up our efforts to communicate and engage with stakeholders, which is also the purpose of this Symposium. We hope that all sectors will work together to lay a solid foundation for Hong Kong's development as an international medical innovation hub, while contributing to our country's efforts to become one of the forerunners in health and medical innovation.”

Mr Terry Wong, CEO of HKSTP, said, “Today’s symposium reflects the collective ambition and momentum across government, industry, and academia to position Hong Kong at the forefront of biomedical innovation. By partnering closely with the Department of Health, we can shorten the path from scientific discovery to clinical impact and translate breakthroughs into life-changing solutions.”

The Symposium combined expert sharing sessions with a technology showcase during networking sessions, spotlighting translational innovation across pharmaceutical products and medical devices. Participants exchanged perspectives on regulatory alignment with global standards, pathways to accelerate clinical trials, the adoption of real-world evidence, and opportunities for cross-boundary collaboration leveraging Hong Kong’s role as a connector between the Mainland and international markets.

The CMPR is set to launch by the end of 2026 and the phased implementation of primary evaluation will begin this year with full implementation by 2030. The HKSAR Government will continue to scale progress and establish an internationally recognised regulatory institution to help accelerate the clinical application of new drugs and medical devices. Together with HKSTP’s partnership to drive high-quality medical innovation, this initiative is designed to fast-track patient access to safe and reliable medical solutions, fostering the robust development of the industry and propelling Hong Kong as the international life and health innovation hub.

HKSTP is home to over 330 health tech companies. With world-class biotech infrastructure and deep clinical networks, we are committed to accelerating innovation from R&D to global commercialization. Our focus is on attracting top talent, capital, and technology to drive growth and deliver better patient outcomes in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and beyond.