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The Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) and a Hong Kong-based medical laboratory company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under which they will jointly explore innovative models of integrative Chinese-Western medicine through technology-driven research efforts.
Under the MoU, called the “Integrative Chinese-Western Medicine Research Collaboration”, multiple clinical and translational research projects across various healthcare domains, notably oncological treatment. These projects will assess the efficacy and safety of integrative Chinese-Western medicine approaches.
The collaboration will delve into the development of advanced treatment protocols through consultations and collaboration between Chinese and Western medicine practices, employing a scientific approach to ensure the best possible treatment results for patients.
The MoU was executed by the President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU, and Chairman of the company. The Secretary for Innovation, Technology, and Industry of the HKSAR Government served as a witness and other notable figures from both institutions and the healthcare industry were also in attendance.
In his address, the Secretary for Innovation, Technology, and Industry of the HKSAR Government emphasised HKBU’s role in promoting Chinese medicine development and fostering collaboration between academia, industries, and research institutions to deliver high-quality Chinese medicine services to the public. The collaboration is expected to provide essential scientific and technical data and innovative technologies for future integrative Chinese-Western medicine treatments.
The President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU highlighted the university’s contributions to advancing Chinese medicine, aligning with national development objectives, and emphasising standardisation and internationalisation in the field. He noted that by enhancing technological cooperation, data sharing, and standardisation research, this collaboration is poised to elevate the quality and international recognition of Chinese medicine.
The research collaboration will focus on establishing a clinical model for integrative Chinese-Western medicine that systematically evaluates the benefits of this approach for patients and addresses current challenges, such as the need for medical laboratory testing and referrals between Chinese and Western medicine practices. The study’s outcomes are expected to foster closer collaboration between the two medical systems and, subsequently, enhance treatment outcomes.
The initial research program will centre on oncology, specifically colorectal cancer, and leverage Chinese medicine to mitigate the side effects of cancer treatments, including chemotherapy. This will involve rigorous scientific investigations using biological tests, as well as research aimed at identifying relevant biomarkers and parameters to assess the effectiveness of Chinese medicine in cancer treatment.
The Chairman of UMP noted that the collaboration aims to go beyond academia to provide evidence-based treatment options and improve patient outcomes. Hong Kong’s professional oversight, robust healthcare system, and government support make it an ideal environment for this research and practice. The collaboration’s promising results could position Hong Kong as a globally recognised centre of excellence in integrated Chinese-Western medicine.
The Interim Chief Innovation Officer of HKBU said that by employing a scientific and standardised approach, they aim to explore, establish, and assess the effectiveness of collaboration in diagnosis and treatment. Technological innovations are expected to enable more personalised and precise diagnosis and treatment, marking a significant milestone in this research collaboration.
OpenGov Asia reported earlier on one of HKPC’s notable achievements – its collaboration with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) manufacturer renowned for its certification with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) for Proprietary Chinese Medicines. Together, they designed and established the “Smart Pack@TCM,” a GMP-compliant smart packaging system for traditional Chinese medicine powders.
The system leverages cutting-edge technologies, including intelligent robotics, machine vision systems, mechanical structures, and control software, to meet the complex and stringent requirements of packaging traditional Chinese medicine powders.
