Stanford, MIT, Johns Hopkins University and Waterloo University eye Hong Kong as regional base for stem cell research

Stanford, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Johns Hopkins University and Waterloo University want to form a consortium in the city to engage in biotechnology R&D, source says – but hurdles remain

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The Hong Kong Science Park is home to about 100 companies. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 9:03am, 26 Feb 2018Updated: 11:16am, 26 Feb 2018

Four world-renowned universities are eyeing Hong Kong as a stronghold in Asia for developing cutting-edge stem cell research as the city’s financial chief is expected to announce incentives to make it easier for foreign research institutions to invest in innovation and technology locally, the Post has learned.

An industry source said Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Johns Hopkins University in the United States, and Waterloo University in Canada, would like to form a consortium in Hong Kong to engage in biotechnology research and development.

MIT would like to form a consortium with three others, a source says. Photo: AFP

Another source close to the government confirmed that the four universities, which are leaders in stem cell research, had met Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and expressed their interest in boosting scientific research in Hong Kong. It is understood Lam pledged to offer support to their joint project, and facilitate the setting up of their research centre at the Science Park in Sha Tin.

They came up with the joint initiative after seeing the success of Sweden’s Karolinska Institute in establishing a research centre at the Science Park.

“The universities found that the Karolinska Institute’s development model was successful and they are still looking out for donations,” the source said.