HKSTP and WuXi XDC Join Forces to Promote Development of Bioconjugate Drug Industry in Hong Kong

Hong Kong, 18 October 2023 – Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) and WuXi XDC, a leading global contract research, development and manufacturing organisation (CRDMO) specialised in the bioconjugate market, signed a collaboration framework agreement to jointly advance the establishment of a CRDMO value chain in Hong Kong.

The partnership will drive the development of ADC and other bioconjugates in Hong Kong leveraging WuXi XDC’s comprehensive services and capabilities. Both parties will enhance trainings and collaborations between industry, academic and research institutions with an aim of boosting the biotechnology ecosystem in Hong Kong.

HKSTP Park companies will have access to WuXi XDC’s integrated, one-stop bioconjugate platform for drug discovery, development, and analytical services. WuXi XDC will provide consultation and training to Hong Kong biotechnology companies and research institutions, accelerating the translation of scientific research results into market-ready products.

HKSTP and WuXi XDC will deepen the collaborations by sharing resources and organising engagement activities. A roadmap will be set out for propelling the establishment of a CRDMO value chain in Hong Kong, which will in turn speed up the drug development process and shorten the time to market.

Mr Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP, said, “As the largest technology research and development (R&D) base and incubator in Hong Kong, HKSTP offers integrated state-of-the-art infrastructure and supporting services to the I&T ecosystem. We are excited to work with WuXi XDC to facilitate companies in terms of technology transfer and market expansion. By leveraging the strengths of both sides, we look forward to further enhancing the biotechnology ecosystem, paving the way for Hong Kong’s development into an international innovation and technology hub.”

Dr Jimmy Li, CEO of WuXi XDC, said, “We are pleased to collaborate with HKSTP in supporting local biotech companies with our one-stop platform, leading industry know-how and high-quality services. Hong Kong Science Park is a hotbed for biotechnology with innovation capabilities. We look forward to cementing our partnership with HKSTP, enabling the development of the bioconjugate industry and positively impacting patients worldwide.”

As a global leading CRDMO focusing on the bioconjugate drug market, WuXi XDC provides interdisciplinary R&D services. ADC is a targeted drug. The principle behind them is to covalently link (also known as “conjugate”) cytotoxic small molecule drugs to antibodies through unique chemical linkers to kill target cells. In addition to tumor treatment, ADC drugs are also widely used in treating autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases and metabolic disorders, among others.