(Hong Kong, 24 February 2025) — Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (“HKSTP”) and Jean-Marie Pharmacal Co., Ltd. (“JMP”, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jacobson Pharma Corporation Limited (stock code: 2633)) are pleased to acknowledge that the application of the "New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme" ("NIAS") submitted by JMP is the first project supported by the "New Industrialisation Vetting Committee" ("NIVC"). The launch ceremony for “A New Milestone in Hong Kong’s New Industrialisation” under the first "NIAS" project was held today at the new manufacturing facility in Tai Po InnoPark, symbolising a significant step forward in the development of Hong Kong’s new industrialisation.
The launch ceremony held at Tai Po InnoPark was officiated by Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; Mr Eddie Mak, Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; Mr Ivan Lee, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology; Dr Ge Ming, Commissioner for Industry (Innovation and Technology), Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau; Dr Sunny Chai, Chairman of HKSTP; Mr Oscar Wong, Head of Innofacturing of HKSTP; Mr Derek Sum, Chairman and CEO of Jacobson Pharma Corporation Limited; and Mr Raymond Yim, Executive Director of Jacobson Pharma Corporation Limited.
In his speech, Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, said, "JMP’s smart production project is the first application under the 'New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme' which has secured support from the ‘New Industrialisation Vetting Committee’. JMP will set up a new production facility in Tai Po InnoPark and establish new smart pharmaceutical production lines there. This project, using pharmaceuticals 'Researched and Developed in Hong Kong' and 'Made in Hong Kong,' casts a confident vote towards Hong Kong’s new industrialisation. Additionally, this project reflects the HKSAR Government’s steadfast support for advancing Hong Kong’s new industrialisation, ushering in a new chapter for its industrial development.”
One of the development directions outlined in the "Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint" is to enhance the innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystem and promote “new industrialisation development” in Hong Kong. As a result, the HKSAR Government has not only established the “New Industrialisation Development Office” and implemented the “New Industrialisation Funding Scheme” (“NIFS”) , but has also launched the HK$10 billion “NIAS” to fund enterprises from strategic industries, including life and health technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and data science, and advanced manufacturing and new energy technologies, to set up new smart production facilities in Hong Kong. By launching these initiatives, the Government aims to promote new industrialisation and ensure room for high-quality development in Hong Kong while aligning with the national direction of developing "new quality productive forces." NIVC has already supported the first NIAS project submitted by JMP. Since the launch of the NIFS, the number of new smart production lines established in Hong Kong and supported by the NIVC has exceeded 100.
As a tenant of HKSTP’s Tai Po InnoPark, JMP brings extensive expertise in eye drop production. It is the first - and currently the only - pharmaceutical company in Hong Kong certified by PIC/S GMP for manufacturing sterile eye drops and injectable medications. Additionally, JMP is a major supplier of essential and specialty medicines to both public and private healthcare sectors, and is dedicated to meeting the medical needs of the general public. With a strong track record of translating R&D into commercial applications, JMP has advanced the development of diversified, complex, and specialty drugs. With HKSTP’s support, the application of the NIAS submitted by JMP has become the first project supported by the NIVC. Through a tender process, JMP acquired a purpose-built pharmaceutical facility, originally intended for pharmaceutical use, at Tai Po InnoPark in mid-February this year, which will expand to over 70,000 square feet.
JMP plans to establish 10 new smart pharmaceutical production lines, covering sterile eye drops, solid dosage forms, and oral liquid medicines. The oral liquid production line will continue its collaboration with a local university medical school to expand specialty drug offerings for leukemia treatment. Additionally, JMP will integrate AI, real-time data analytics, and robotics to enhance production efficiency and ensure product quality. The project is set to commence later this year. The first production line expected to enter trial production and operation by the end of 2026, while all remaining production lines are expected to undergo trial production and operation by end of 2028. The total estimated project fee is approximately HK$600 million of which the estimated NIAS funding is approximately HK$200 million.
Dr Sunny Chai, Chairman of HKSTP, remarked in his address at the event, "HKSTP is committed to promoting innofacturing and empowering enterprises to achieve success by providing world-class infrastructure and comprehensive support services. We will continue fostering collaboration among business partners, investors, researchers, and technology companies while attracting top talent and high-potential enterprises to drive new industrialisation and new quality productive forces. We encourage all stakeholders to contribute to ‘Innofacturing’, realising the long-term integration of I&T with Hong Kong’s industries, and continuously strengthening the city's I&T ecosystem."
Mr Derek Sum, Chairman and CEO of Jacobson Pharma, said, "JMP is honoured that its application of the ‘NIAS’ has become the first project supported by the ‘NIVC’'. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the NIVC for its support in promoting medical innovation, as well as the HKSTP for its invaluable assistance throughout the application process. The successful NIAS approval will not only accelerate the establishment of smart production lines, but also create approximately 200 jobs in the fields of R&D, quality assurance and smart manufacturing, which will strengthen Hong Kong’s competitive edge in advanced industries. More importantly, this milestone marks a significant step forward in Hong Kong's new industrialisation. Looking ahead, we remain committed to our mission of ‘Improving People’s Health’ by providing high-quality and affordable medicines to meet the needs of patients and serve the community."
HKSTP is committed to advancing new industrialisation in Hong Kong. It repositioned its three industrial estates as “InnoParks” in 2021, supporting the development of the city’s manufacturing sector and aligning with the government’s initiatives for new industrialisation under the “Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint”, as well as the national direction of “new quality productive forces”. In addition to providing top-notch infrastructure in the InnoParks, HKSTP will continue to promote cooperation among corporate partners, investors, researchers and technology companies to provide enterprises with an ideal production and R&D environment, and accelerate the process from R&D to commercialisation, so as to realise Hong Kong’s vision of new industrialisation, further enhance the development of Hong Kong's I&T ecosystem, and promote the diversified development of the Hong Kong economy.
