Hong Kong Life Sciences Society (HKLSS) announces its collaboration with local craft beer brand Mak’s Brewery to launch the limited edition of Honey+Goji Pale Ale, and Honey+Goji Carbonated Hops Tea. They will make their first appearance at ‘Halloween Festival: The Lingering Fine Wine’, a festival-themed event presented by Nan Fung Group between 28 and 30 October 2022. HKLSS hopes to connect life sciences with everyday life through the launch of these local brews.

Launching Science Brewed Craft Beer to Connect Daily Life 

With craft beers going viral among the new generation, the chemical reactions that occur in the brewing process and the application of brewing principles are closely related to our daily lives, which echoes HKLSS’ philosophy of fostering the connection between life science and everyday experiences. 

'The Scientist's Brew' Beverages

About ‘The Scientist’s Brew’

Two new beverages will be introduced at the event: Honey+Goji Pale Ale and Honey+Goji Carbonated Hops Tea. 

Honey+Goji Pale Ale is made with a natural form of sugar - fermented honey, alongside other ingredients like water, malt, hops, yeast, honey and goji berries, containing several minerals and vitamins, including iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin B and C. This honey-made pale ale also has higher nutrient value and lower glycemic index than refined sugar. With benefits to the liver and eyes, Goji berries are added at the early stage of the brewing process to preserve bioactive substances and maximize the antioxidant effect. During the production, changes in water temperature will react differently with pH value, creating a variety of pale ale flavors. 

Honey+Goji Carbonated Hops Tea is brewed with the process of tea making, featuring ingredients of water, tea leaves, hops, honey, goji berries and malic acid. From this non-alcoholic beverage, CO2 is released and forms beer-like bubbles, resembling the aroma and flavor of craft beer; honey is cooked to remove enzymes, and hops act as natural preservatives that help extend the shelf-life of the product and provide calming properties.

Visit Tasting Booth and Join Workshops for A Joyful Experience

HKLSS will run a tasting booth at the event, where the interns from HKLSS will share related brewing facts. To add more fun, participants can play a mini-game of identifying the taste of Pale Ale and Carbonated Hops Tea from different essential oils, and guessing the ingredients of the beverages. 

To provide the public with a better understanding of the biochemical reactions that took place in the brewing process, HKLSS invited a brewer from Mak’s Brewery to hold the ‘Principles of Brewing and Tasting’ workshop on Saturday afternoon. Participants will explore the process of beer making and techniques of craft beer tasting with registered participants. 

Moreover, the public is welcome to attend the ‘Beer Candle DIY’ workshop for a delightful handcrafting experience. Under guidance from a professional instructor, registered participants can craft, scent, and color their one-of-a-kind ‘Beer Mug Candle’ by learning about the principles and attributes of handcrafted candles. 

This public event is organized by the students from HKLSS Summer Internship Programs 2021 and 2022. They are university students pursuing biotechnology and nutrition-related studies who have spent 18 months designing, researching, sourcing, and negotiating for the event after being selected by HKLSS and completing a six-week full-time internship program. 

For more details about ‘Halloween Festival: The Lingering Fine Wine’, please refer to this link and follow @hklifesciencessociety @intimeofhk @nanfungplace #HKLSS #TheScientistsBrew #LifeSciencesInEverydayLife #InTimeOf #InTimeOfFood #NanFungGroup #Resilientcity #InTimeOfHalloween #Halloween #localcraftbeernwine #popupmarket. 

Hong Kong Life Sciences Society (HKLSS) has put immense efforts in nurturing life sciences talent, which is crucial to fulfilling Hong Kong’s biotech ambition. Riding on its previous success by bridging the gap between academic study and career development, the Scheme received hundreds of applications last year. Applications for HKLSS Mentorship Scheme 2023 will soon open on 10 October.

Offering Career Development Insights by Individual Mentoring and Coaching

To enhance learning beyond the classroom and nurture career success, the Mentorship Scheme has fostered connections between industry practitioners and life sciences students. Lasting for one full year, the Scheme is a structured, one-on-one partnership between a mentor and a mentee, enabling both parties to have a close and engaging relationship. Moreover, the Scheme facilitates mentees to make relevant connections, develop workplace knowledge and soft skills, and gain insights about biotech developments in preparation for a thriving life science career in Hong Kong and mainland China.

Empowering Mentorship Experience with Extensive Support from Industry Experts

The scheme is introduced for undergraduate and postgraduate life sciences students. Graduates with a non-life sciences background will be considered on a case-by-case basis. All mentors are industry experts, young entrepreneurs and senior executives from a wide range of professions in the life sciences industry in Hong Kong and mainland China, including but not limited to consulting, data analysis, healthcare, investment and finance, law and compliance, NGO, research and development, and start-up.

Moving into its fourth year, HKLSS Mentorship Scheme has successfully established a network of over 100 mentee alumni and over 50 mentors. Our industry experts from leading companies include Mr Antony Leung, Group Chairman of Nan Fung Group, Ms Irene Chu, Partner, Head of New Economy and Life Sciences of KPMG China, Mr Tony Yung, Chief Executive Officer of Take2 Health Ltd, Dr Lydia Leung, CEO of Belun Technology, Prof Tom Cheung, Associate Professor of Division of Life Science at HKUST, etc.

Student-Industry Partnership Sparks Mutual Benefits

Mr Vincent Cheung, Founder and Chairman of HKLSS, said, “HKLSS is dedicated to supporting life sciences talent in identifying academic and career opportunities. Through the student-industry partnership initiated by the Mentorship Scheme, mentors will be able to give mentees invaluable advice and insights to their personal growth and professional development while getting fresh perspectives and inspirations from the mentees. The spark is invaluable in driving the life sciences industry forward.”

Noreen Chui, a year 2 student studying MBBS at HKU and Tammy Pham, a year 3 student studying Applied Biology with Biotechnology at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, are the mentees of Dr Wolf Cheung, Senior Scientist of Bio-Cancer Treatment International this year. Noreen said, “HKLSS Mentorship Scheme gave me a unique opportunity to get to know scientists working in the industry. It was eye-opening for me to learn how a local company invented a biological drug in Hong Kong and is now proceeding to stage III clinical trial internationally for cancer treatment. Through my mentor, I managed to have a glimpse into this company, learn about how they became a successful company and the challenges they have faced in the last decade.”

Tammy said, “I’m so grateful to be a part of the Scheme for two consecutive years. Joining this program is such a meaningful experience to get more insights into the outcomes of the pre-clinical research at the industry level. Our mentor offered a company visit where I learned a lot about the operation pipeline and the systematic organisation of any clinical trials before launching a drug into a market.”

Applications for HKLSS Mentorship Scheme 2023 will soon open on 10 October. Interested individuals are welcome to submit their application online. 

For more details about the Mentorship Scheme, please refer to this link.

Hong Kong Life Sciences Society (HKLSS or the Society) is happy to announce the establishment of Hong Kong Life Sciences Scholarship Awards, which are set to encourage outstanding undergraduate students to pursue a life sciences or biomedical science program in a UGC-funded institution. HKLSS is offering HKD$1 million in the first year of the scholarship awards.

Hong Kong Life Sciences Scholarship Awards are open to Bachelor of Science (BSc) students from the six local universities: The University of Hong Kong, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, City University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Baptist University, who are completing their first year of study in 2021-2022 academic year, with a CGPA of 3.5 and above; and having selected a life sciences or biomedical science major in their second-year study.

Each of the awardees will receive a scholarship of HKD50,000 in the second- or third-year undergraduate study with other complimentary entitlements, including the access to the Society’s Mentorship Scheme for equipping with workplace knowledge and soft skills, and priority in enrolling onto the Society’s Summer Internship Program.
Since its establishment in 2018, the Society has put in a lot of efforts to attract, nurture and retain talent in Hong Kong’s life sciences sector. The Hong Kong Life Sciences Scholarship Awards are uniquely comprehensive that they provide more than just financial support to awardees, but also the benefits of our mentorship and summer internship, addressing students’ expressed concern over life sciences career prospects.

Mr Vincent Cheung, Founder and Chairman of Hong Kong Life Sciences Society said, “With a surge of global attention to biomedical innovations, nurturing life sciences talent is critical to cope with the rapid industry growth. The Society is happy to unveil Hong Kong Life Sciences Scholarship Awards to encourage outstanding students in advancing life sciences or biomedical science studies, by offering financial support, alongside work and networking opportunities. We hope that the scheme can benefit life sciences talent aspiring to contribute to the society, in fields of life sciences and biomedical science. This would help achieve our long-term objective to build a pipeline of life sciences talent in Hong Kong, and in turn catalyzing a vibrant life sciences ecosystem.”

Nominations can be submitted by relevant Faculty Deans or by self-nomination. All nominees will need to submit a CV and 300-word statement outlining their academic and career aspirations. The nomination deadline of the Scholarship Awards is 29 July 2022. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to attend an interview in August / September, and the results will be notified in October 2022. For more details about Hong Kong Life Sciences Scholarship Awards, please refer to this link.

Prof Ken Wong, Executive Director of Hong Kong Life Sciences Society said, “According to the Hong Kong Annual Digest of Statistics, there were around 2,300 graduates from life sciences and biomedical science programs in local universities in 2020; while the number of biology and medicine research output by local universities is subsequently decreasing. In fact, the rapid development of biotechnology in Hong Kong has provided ample opportunities; through the establishment of the Scholarship Awards, the Society hopes to attract more students to enroll into life sciences-related programs, and to devote to the industry to cater for the booming market development.”

Summer Internship Program 2022 Received Record-high Applications

HKLSS is also committed to advancing opportunities for the study and practice of life sciences, and thus offering a 6-week Life Sciences Summer Internship Program through collaborations with renowned biotechnology companies in Hong Kong and mainland China. The program offers a unique life sciences/ biotech internship opportunity to university students and recent graduates to explore cutting-edge research, technology and the future of life sciences, enabling them to get out of the laboratory and acquire knowledge from various types of companies within the biotech sector. Over four years since its debut, the program has been highly regarded and supported by university students and the business community.

This year, the program received record-high 300 applications, with remarkable participation of top-tier undergraduate and postgraduate from more than 30 institutions in Hong Kong, United Kingdom and United States. Aligning the candidates’ academic profile with the needs of the participating companies, HKLSS plays an important role to offer the best internship match between employers and interns.

After rounds of interviews and evaluation, 35 interns were selected for 20 renowned life sciences companies and local start-ups, including Nan Fung Life Sciences, Novus Life Sciences, Take2 Health, Belun Technology and Opharmic Technology (HK). Through this six-week internship program starting from July, interns will work with experienced researchers and practitioners, participate in weekend activities and network with C-level executives to acquire practical knowledge, soft skills and latest industry trends.

The opening ceremony of the Summer Internship Program 2022 took place on 28 June at The Mills Fabrica. A panel discussion was held to spark ideas on how the GBA creates opportunities for Hong Kong young talent pursuing a life sciences career. Interns had also taken the opportunity to join the guided tour at The Mills to learn about the integration between innovative technology, business development and the local community.

Opening Ceremony of the Summer Internship Program 2022

For more details about the Summer Internship Program, please refer to this link.

The 2022-23 Hong Kong Budget reinforces a number of policies to promote life and health scientific research, fostering the development of innovation and technology. Hong Kong Life Sciences Society (HKLSS or the Society) is dedicated to building a dynamic life sciences ecosystem in Hong Kong. To cater industry booms, HKLSS has put in a lot of efforts in nurturing life sciences talent over the past few years, including the implementation of the summer internship program and mentorship scheme. HKLSS announces the survey results of “Nurturing Life Sciences Talent” today. 

The survey “Nurturing Life Sciences Talent” collected 201 responses between early-December 2021 and mid-February 2022. The results were compared with our relevant survey conducted between early-December 2018 and mid-February 2019, with 337 responses. Respondents of both surveys are undergraduate, postgraduate and recent graduate pursuing life sciences-related studies. Almost 60% of respondents are females. Nearly 60% of 2022 survey respondents come from local universities, including the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, etc.

The survey mainly investigates the opinions of life sciences students about internship opportunities in Hong Kong and mainland China, including their preference on the destination, type of company and scope of work when undertaking an internship, as well as their insights into future career prospects. This helps the Society better understand key needs of emerging talent in the field of life sciences, optimize talent cultivation activities and provide timely support to cope with the rapid industry growth.

More Life Sciences Talent Hold a Positive Outlook of the Industry

The two surveys explore students’ career aspirations in life sciences. A surge of optimism is showcased regarding the outlook of the industry. The number of students being “Extremely Optimistic” and “Very Optimistic” about the industry prospects has risen from 25% in 2019 to 54% in 2022. There is also a sharp increase for the number of students being “Extremely Determined” and “Very Determined” in staying in the industry after graduation, from 30% in 2019 to 69% in 2022.

Internship Opportunities in Great Anticipation to Advance Future Career Development 

The 2022 survey indicates that 84% of students consider life sciences internship opportunities in Hong Kong to be “Extremely Attractive” and “Very Attractive”, with an average rating of 4.26 (out of 5). For the internship opportunities taken place in mainland China, 46% of students consider it to be “Extremely Attractive” and “Very Attractive”, with an average rating of 3.45. 83% of students reflect that “To Advance Future Career Development” will be the biggest motivation to apply for a life sciences internship program.

Hong Kong Ranked as the Most Preferred City to Undertake Internship Pharmaceutical Companies and Biotech Start-ups Top the Priority

The 2022 survey indicates Hong Kong to be the most preferred mainland China city to undertake internship, followed by Shanghai and Shenzhen. 41% of students opt for “Working at a Multinational Company”, with “Pharmaceutical Companies” (30%) and “Biotech Start-ups” (31%) as popular choices. 82% of respondents are most interested in “Research and Development”. Other selections are “Business Development” (54%), “Lab-based Research” (49%) and “Communications and Government Affairs” (42%).

Professors and Industry Mentors Offer Study and Career Guidance

48% of students find the on-campus career services only “Fairly Useful” in helping with post-graduation or career plans in life sciences. Majority of respondents choose to “Research on Their Own” (76%) or “Turn to Professors for Advice” (73%). The results also witness an increase in “Seeking Advice from Industry Mentors”, from 48% in 2019 to 71% in 2022.

HKLSS Continues Scaling Talent Cultivation Activities to Expand the Talent Pool

“Global Internship Program” is considered to be most helpful (84%) if organized by the Society. There is also a significant increase of students favoring the “Mentorship Scheme” (2022: 81%; 2019: 49%) and “Cross-disciplinary Activities” (2022: 76%; 2019: 59%), followed by “Networking with Researchers and Entrepreneurs” (67%) and “Scholarship for Students Majoring Life Sciences / Biomedical Science” (64%).

Prof Ken Wong, Executive Director of Hong Kong Life Sciences Society made the following conclusions and recommendations at the survey results announcement press conference:

1. There is a surge of confidence in life sciences prospects and stronger determination to stay in the industry

2. Students in both surveys are very career oriented

3. Professors and industry mentors help career development

4. HKLSS will work more closely with career centers and relevant academic departments of local universities in career preparation

5. Establish scholarship awards to support outstanding students to pursue a life sciences or biomedical science major, and build a sustainable talent pipeline in Hong Kong’s life sciences sector

6. Explore to expand internships in Hong Kong and mainland China into a global internship program, covering research centers in Europe and the US

7. Continue bridging the gap of relevant local subsidized internship programs, e.g. to complement the STEM Subsidized Internship Scheme by the Innovation and Technology Commission. The Society’s summer internship program attracts more Hong Kong students pursuing life sciences / biomedical science overseas to come back and work in Hong Kong / mainland China

8. Collaborate with the private sectors and universities to create more “wet-lab” R&D opportunities / job diversity (interdisciplinary: investment, public health, AI or machine learning)

9. Join forces with local pharma companies to create more short-term job / internship opportunities

10. HKLSS supports the HKSAR government to attract more multinational companies and biotech start-ups to have their regional headquarters in Hong Kong, and promote Hong Kong as a biotech R&D and investment hub

For detailed survey results, please refer to this link. (Only available in Traditional Chinese)

Science and innovation play a pivotal role in responding to the pandemic. Over the past few years, Hong Kong Life Sciences Society (HKLSS or the Society) has put in a lot of efforts in nurturing life sciences talent. Further to the tremendous success in the previous years, HKLSS will launch its fourth Summer Internship Program in July 2022, covering Hong Kong and Shanghai. The online application is now open.

Golden Internship Opportunity to Open Eyes and Advance Practice in Life Sciences

This six-week internship program continues to offer a unique opportunity for university students to explore cutting-edge research, technology, and the future of life sciences. Successful candidates will be assigned to different biotech companies, covering start-up companies, venture capital firms, NGOs, healthcare and pharmaceutical companies.

Through this program, interns will work with experienced researchers and practitioners in one of the following corporate functions, including R&D, business development, investment, policy research, regulatory, and marketing. They will also have the chance to participate in weekend activities and networking with C-level executives, acquiring practical knowledge, soft skills and latest industry trends.

Life Sciences Summer Internship Program 2022 is now accepting online applications opening to senior-year undergraduate and postgraduate students. The deadline for the first-round application will be 14 March 2022. HKLSS closely monitors the COVID-19 pandemic situation and will determine the program’s start date and location.

Addressing the Key Needs of Emerging Talent in the Field

Marco Fang, master’s student majoring in Chemistry from Imperial College London, joined the internship program last year working in Take2 Health, a fast-growing healthcare company in Hong Kong. Marco mentioned that the program facilitated him to develop business acumen and grasped his interests working in commercial roles within the life sciences sector. In addition to his day-to-day duties, guest talks, exchanges and workshops during the program offered him valuable opportunities to connect with industry professionals, as well as broadening his horizons on the latest developments in the life sciences and biotechnology industry.

Promising Industry Prospects with Great Opportunities for our Future Young Leaders 

The 2021 Policy Address indicated a number of favourable policies for the development of the life sciences industry in Hong Kong. For example, the government has accepted the proposals from the University of Hong Kong and The Chinese University of Hong Kong for granting the land for research use to reinforce the leading international position in academic and research development. In order to leverage the promotion on research development in Greater Bay Area, the government also proposes the setting up of an InnoLife Healthtech Hub in the HSITP in the Loop, with the 16 life and health-related laboratories in the InnoHK research clusters and the 8 State Key Laboratories in life and health disciplines as the basis.

Prof Ken Wong, Executive Director of Hong Kong Life Sciences Society said: “Engaging life sciences talent is mission-critical for fuelling industry growth. Over the past years, we are happy to see that our Summer Internship Program has received enthusiastic responses from both university students and the business community. The program enables life science students to get out of the laboratory and acquire knowledge of all walks of life. We look forward to participation from more employers and students.”

He continued, “The promotion of science, research and innovation is important to Hong Kong’s development into a health technology hub. HKLSS will continue to implement new initiatives to advance opportunities for the study and practice of life sciences and scale a talent powerhouse to fuel industry growth.” 

Committed to building a dynamic life sciences ecosystem in Hong Kong, Hong Kong Life Sciences Society (HKLSS) brings its Mentorship Scheme to light for the third consecutive year, riding on the success of the two previous Mentorship Schemes. Application for HKLSS Mentorship Scheme 2022 was closed on 19 November, receiving an overwhelming response from 200 applicants. The selection stage is now in progress, followed by the inauguration ceremony to be held on 19 January 2022.

Empowering Mentorship Experience with Extensive Support from Industry Experts

The one-year Mentorship Scheme has always been one of the featured programs of HKLSS, yielding positive response with a YoY increase on the number of mentors and students. For the third year of the Mentorship Scheme, the Society is establishing a network of over 50 professional mentors and 80 mentees. All mentors are industry experts, young entrepreneurs and senior executives from a wide range of professions in the life sciences industry, including Mr Antony Leung, Group Chairman of Nan Fung Group, Mr Vincent Cheung, CEO of Nan Fung Group and the Founder and Chairman of HKLSS, Ms Irene Chu, Partner, Head of New Economy and Life Sciences of KPMG China,  Dr Lydia Leung, CEO of Belun Technology, Prof Tom Cheung, Associate Profession of Division of Life Science at HKUST, Mr Stanley Sy, Chief Executive Officer of Sanomics, etc.

Offering Career Development Insights by Individual Mentoring and Coaching

The Scheme opens to all undergraduate and postgraduate students, aged 18 or above, who are studying life sciences or a related academic discipline. Recent graduates or applicants with a non-life sciences background will be considered on an individual basis. HKLSS allows participants to gain hands-on experiences from different industry sectors based on their academic background and preferences, spanning across consulting, data analysis, entrepreneurship, research and development, finance, healthcare, law and compliance, and non-profit organizations. Each mentor will be assigned to no more than two mentees, with regular meetings for the mentor to share valuable experiences and success stories with the mentees, enabling both parties to have a close and engaging relationship.

Prof Ken Wong, Executive Director of HKLSS, said: “With an initiative of passing the torch, HKLSS Mentorship Scheme establishes a platform for life sciences students to build their own network, develop communication skills and gain valuable insights, preparing the next generation for future careers in the thriving life sciences industry in Hong Kong and mainland China.”

For more information on the Mentorship Scheme, please click here.

Launched “Expert Insights Series on Life Sciences” with Sharing from Our 10 Experts

Under the new normal, the public and the investors are paying more attention to life sciences developments. Therefore, the Society launched the “Expert Insights Series on Life Sciences” with sharing from our 10 experts, including Mr Antony Leung, Mr Vincent Cheung, Mr Gerald Chan, Prof Dennis Lo, Prof KY Yuen, Prof Nancy Y. Ip, Mr Stanley Sy, Mr Shan Fu, Mr Meng Gao and Ms Irene Chu, in different perspectives to talk about the competitive advantages of Hong Kong in driving life sciences developments, and encouraging young people to devote themselves to science careers. The 10 insightful videos will be updated regularly on Ming Pao’s dedicated page from now till February 2022. 

Hong Kong Life Sciences Society (HKLSS or the society), established in September 2018, aims to attract, nurture and retain talents in the local life sciences sector through knowledge exchange, collaboration and engagement to build and a dynamic life sciences and biotech ecosystem. Summer Internship Program is returning for the third year and has almost come to an end, over 30 selected interns will be completing their six-week internship in mid-August. 

The program includes internships in a number of biotech start-up, venture capital firm, healthcare or pharmaceutical companies, as well as a series of visits and activities organized by the Society to allow interns to broaden their horizons and gain a deeper understanding of the development of the local life science and biotech ecosystem.

Overwhelming Responses Received in 2021 Summer Internship Program

Since its debut in 2019, HKLSS Summer Internship Program has gradually achieved positive feedbacks and support from the industry.  It has also been highly regarded by life sciences undergraduates and post-graduate students in Hong Kong and overseas. Stepping into the third year of the HKLSS Summer Internship Program, overwhelming responses of 250 applications from more than 30 institutions in Hong Kong, United Kingdom and United States were received this year. After rounds of interviews and selection, more than 30 interns were selected for the program. HKLSS plays the role to offer the best internship match between employers and interns, based on the interns’ academic profile and preferences, whilst fulfilling the needs of the participating companies. More than 20 renowned life sciences companies and local start-ups were participating this year, including Sanomics, Novus Life Sciences Take2 Health, Belun Technology and, Opharmic Technology (HK). Interns will be arranged to one of the business units in the assigned company during the internship program, including research and development, business development, investment, policy research, regulatory and marketing, to learn and experience outside the classroom for more comprehensive development in the industry. 

Series of Laboratory Visits and Guest Talks Broadens Intern’s Horizons on the Latest Developments in Life Sciences and Biotechnology

Series of guest talks, laboratories visit, exchanges, and workshops are another key highlight of the summer internship program which allow students to have a better understanding of the biotech ecosystem. This offers valuable opportunities for the interns to connect with professionals and broadened their horizons on the latest developments in life sciences and biotechnology industry. The opening ceremony of the Summer Internship Program and the Hong Kong Science Park visit was successfully held on June 29. HKLSS was honoured to invite Mr Eugene Hsia, the Chief Corporate Development Officer of Hong Kong Science Park for giving a welcome speech. Representatives of ACT Genomics and HiFiBio Therapeutics were also invited for introducing their latest research directions and business developments. As to facilitate the understanding of the contribution of HKSTP in the life science and biotechnology industry, interns were given the opportunity to visit a series of latest establishments including the InnoCell, Biomedical Technology Support Centre and Experience Centre. Interns also visited the Centre for Eye and Vision Research, a research collaboration between The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the University of Waterloo in Canada.

Various biotechnology panel discussions were also held in July, Dr Eddy Wu, Founder and CEO of Artic Vision and Mr Stanley Sy, CEO of Sanomics were invited to share their insights and unforgettable journey as a bioentrepreneur. HKLSS has also invited Dr Wilson Wong, CEO & Co-Founder of Novus Life Sciences, and Ms Yan Chan, Deputy General Manager (Business Innovation) of Nan Fung Group in another panel discussion to share with the interns, their insights on the importance of innovation in developing and reinforcing a business. Interns had also taken the opportunity to visit the production space at Mills Fabrica and joined the guided tours in the Mills, to learn about the integration between innovative technology, business development and the local community.

Infusing New and Postive Energy into the Industry

Jennifer Tsui, master’s student majoring in Ophthalmology from the University of Hong Kong, who joined the internship program again this year, mentioned that in addition to the day-to-day routine of her job duties, different activities hosted by HKLSS has enabled her to have deeper understanding of the industry and allow her to establish industry network, which is very beneficial to her future career development. She also hopes that through the program, she can learn more about different aspects and possibilities of the life sciences industry. 

Hong Kong Life Sciences Society (HKLSS or the Society) is dedicated to building a dynamic life sciences ecosystem in Hong Kong and attracting, cultivating and retaining talents in local life sciences and biotechnology sectors. With the aim to nurture local life sciences talent and foster technology development, Life Sciences Summer Internship Program, one of the key programs of HKLSS, has been held for two consecutive years. Life Sciences Summer Internship Program 2021 is now officially open for application, continuing the mission in offering students with internship opportunities for cutting-edge life sciences research and development. 

Broaden Industry Horizons and Practice Theoretical Knowledge

HKLSS has always been adhering to cultivating talents and actively providing a platform for students to learn, communicate and practice. The Life Sciences Summer Internship Program is a crucial part in fulfilling this commitment. Through the 8-week program, participants are given the opportunity to expand their skills and horizons at a biotech start-up, venture capital firm, healthcare or pharmaceutical company in Hong Kong or mainland China, and engage with sector specialists through networking and presentations, exploring other career directions of biotechnology and life sciences. The Life Sciences Summer Internship Program was first launched in 2018 and has gradually gained recognitions. Throughout the internship and the series of talks and activities hosted, participants not only deepen their understanding of local life sciences trend and future directions, but also successfully establish and expand the interpersonal network in the industry to lay a solid foundation for future career. Life Sciences Summer Internship Program 2021 is now accepting online applications and is open to senior-year undergraduates and postgraduate students in Hong Kong. This year, participants will visit medical, pharmaceutical or biotech start-ups in Hong Kong, Beijing or Shanghai to learn practical skills, relevant information and know more about the career path within biotechnology and life sciences industries.

In addition to Life Sciences Summer Internship Program’s application, our Mentorship Scheme 2021 was inaugurated earlier in January. The one-year Scheme assigns each participant to a mentor, who is dedicated to help them discover their strengths and realise their potential. HKLSS has built up close relationships with industry leaders through continuous effort, which successfully established a strong network of over 100 mentors and mentees, including Mr. Antony Leung, Chairman & CEO, Nan Fung Group, Professor Dennis Lo, Associate Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Medicine at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Mr. Tony Yung, CEO of Take2 Health Limited. Each mentor will be assigned to not more than two mentees, allowing both parties to have a close and engaging relationship to facilitate mentees to build their own network, develop their communication skills and prepare them for a life sciences career. 

Seize industry opportunities and become an all-rounded talent

The latest Policy Address indicated a number of favourable policies for the development of the life sciences industry in Hong Kong. For example, the expansion of Stock Connect allows eligible pre-revenue biotech companies in Hong Kong to be included in southbound trading. Moreover, the government plans to launch Global STEM Professorship Scheme to attract overseas talents to start their business in Hong Kong. With the introduction of Chapter 18A of the Listing Rules by the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, allowing non-income biotech companies to list in Hong Kong, more than 150 pharmaceutical companies have been listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, adding up to a market value of over HKD 2.6 trillion, making Hong Kong the world's second largest financing center for life sciences enterprises.

Mr. Vincent Cheung, Chairman of Hong Kong Life Sciences Society said: "With the enormous medical demand, complement by active policy reforms, sufficient funds and outstanding talents, China has now entered the golden age of life sciences development. Moreover, the latest Policies Address and the policies of the Greater Bay Area provide Hong Kong with historic opportunities in life sciences development. With rapid growth of the industry, the requirements for life sciences talents in both China and Hong Kong is getting higher and higher.If we want to seize development opportunities, we should establish a T-shaped system with knowledge from different areas and gain skills in technology, business and legal policies fields."

HKLSS is moving towards the goal of cultivating all-round talents. Through activities like Life Sciences Summer Internship Program and Mentorship Scheme, we hope students will get out of the laboratory, learn knowledge of all walks of life, and equip themselves with the working ability required by the industry and the society. 
 

Hong Kong Life Sciences Society (HKLSS or this society) aims to attract, cultivate and retain talent in Hong Kong’s life sciences and biotechnology sectors. As one of the signature programs of HKLSS, the Mentorship Scheme sets to provide university students and young industry practitioners with opportunities to share their challenges, listen to their mentors, and work together to find a solution to a workplace or study issue. By the end of the mentorship, mentees are expected to equip themselves with a study or career plan, workplace knowledge and the soft skills that many life sciences employers look for in candidates. All our mentors take the lead to work hand-in-hand with their mentees to set goals in initial meetings and offer useful advice to the mentees’ overall development.

Gather Industry Leaders to Strengthen the Mentorship Experience

Our mentors belong to industry leaders, spanning across consulting, data analysis, investment, finance, healthcare, law and compliance and non-profit organizations. Mentees are carefully selected and encouraged to step out of the laboratory, sharpen interpersonal communication, and unleash their potentials. During the scheme, every mentor will be guiding not more than two mentees, ensuring the effectiveness and the quality of the mentoring relationships. On top of that, networking events including kick-off ceremony also provide mentees with a platform that enables them to meet with more industry experts,  practitioners, and researchers. It creates opportunities for mentees to expand their network, not only with the biotech experts but also the peers within the industry. 

To keep both sides on the right track during the whole process, three to four meetings between mentors and mentees will be scheduled. Mentors will offer advice to guide mentees on their career direction based on the mentee’s preference, strengths and developmental needs as well as skills, values and interests.

It is worth mentioning that our Mentorship Scheme is also available for e-mentoring.  If the assigned mentor is not usually residing in Hong Kong or the mentee is studying abroad, e-mentoring can be an effective and ideal solution for both sides.

The Mentorship Scheme last year invited industry experts including Mr. Vincent Cheung, Chairman of HKLSS, Mr. Antony Leung, Chairman and CEO of Nan Fung Group, Professor Yuen Kwok-Yung, Chair of Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong, Dr. Chun Wu, Managing Director of Boston Consulting Group, Professor Tom Cheung, SH Ho Associate Professor of HKUST’s Division of Life Science, and Ms. Irene Chu, KPMG Partner, Head of New Economy and Life Sciences Hong Kong as our mentors.

Mr. Vincent Cheung, Chairman of HKLSS, said: “As one of the fastest-growing industry clusters in Mainland China and globally, biotech is well-placed to give new impetus to the development of Hong Kong, providing our young people with new horizons and ample career opportunities. The Mentorship Scheme is not simply a career counseling program. Through the regular communication between mentors and mentees, mentees will be able to obtain professional insight and experience imparted from mentors, allowing mentees to understand various career options in the life sciences industry.”

Positive Feedback Received and the Mentorship Scheme 2021 is Now Open for Application

The Kick-off Ceremony of the first Mentorship Scheme was held in The Annex, Nan Fung Place in Sheung Wan in January 2020 which attracted more than 50 mentees, 20 mentors, and 10 advisory board members of HKLSS. The mentees from the first cohort said that one-on-one guidance laid a good foundation for career development, and their relationship expands the professional network for mentees. Gege Yang, a mentee of the Mentorship Scheme 2020, said: “My mentor gave me useful career advice and suggested several pathways I might take before my PhD graduation which gave me a clear direction and benefited a lot.”

The Mentorship Scheme 2021 now accepts online application from 5 October until 20 November 2020. The Scheme is open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students, aged 18 or above, who are studying life sciences or a related academic discipline. Fresh graduates will also be considered on an individual basis.

Hong Kong Life Sciences Society (HKLSS) has been dedicated in nurturing Hong Kong into a vibrant world-class life sciences industry cluster through talents cultivation. With the mission of maximizing the impact of the endeavours through building a strong and sustainable talent pipeline in Hong Kong, HKLSS has connected a committed team of top scholars and professionals to foster the development of life sciences industry in Hong Kong. Since the official inauguration in June 2019, HKLSS has been nurturing and gathering local life sciences talents through a wide range of activities including Summer Internship Program, Mentorship Scheme, bench talks and workshops, dialogue series, webinars and public engagement activities.

Strengthen Knowledge and Experience Sharing on COVID-19 Combat

In the combat of COVID-19, internationally experts in Hong Kong successfully demonstrated they are ahead of the curve and shared their expertise and experience. As the core members of HKLSS Advisory Board, Professor Yuen Kwok-yung from the University of Hong Kong, Professor Leo Poon, Professor and Division Head of Public Health Laboratory Sciences and Professor Keiji Fukuda, former Assistant Director-General for WHO, and currently Director of HKU’s School of Public Health have contributed tremendously in addressing the COVID-19 crisis. As one of the core members of the HKSAR Government Expert Advisory Group Professor Yuen and Professor Fukuda have offered critical advice by sharing the knowledge and experience from fighting with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). These valuable comments help in improving public’s understanding of the causes and risks of the pandemic. In addition, Professor Poon and his team have successfully developed rapid nucleic acid amplification tests within six days after the genomic sequence was released to help identify COVID-19 confirmed case earlier. The test a have been sent out immediately, offering support to over 70 countries.

The outbreak of COVID-19 has raised public awareness about the importance and the contribution of life science development. To further strengthen knowledge sharing and collaboration between life sciences practitioners HKLSS has launched a series of global webinars on Coronavirus with sharing from experts in different fields, offering young talents and interested parties the opportunity to exchange and share ideas with experts. The next webinar will take place on 10 June (Wednesday) with Professor Denis Wirtz from Johns Hopkins University as the speaker. Please visit the link here for more webinar details and schedule.

Two Key Programs in Nurturing Talents to Foster Industry Development

HKLSS has been continuously expanding life sciences ecosystem and recruiting talents to bolster the development of local life sciences industry – summer internship program, mentorship scheme, webinars, talks and workshops – to explore latest industry development and trends and widen the horizon of young talents.

Summer Internship Program is one of the key annual events of HKLSS. The first internship program has attracted large corporations and bio-tech companies to participate and has successfully competed in Shanghai last year. In response to the global pandemic situation, HKLSS has confirmed to hold the Summer Internship Program 2020 in Hong Kong this year with a determination to continue in supporting and creating more opportunities for young talents during this unprecedented time. Interns will have the opportunities to work in local life sciences companies including start-ups, venture capital and pharmaceutical companies in Hong Kong. During the internship, HKLSS will conduct various interactive talks and networking activities for interns to understand the development and prospect of life sciences industry in a more comprehensive way.

In addition to the internship program, HKLSS’ Mentorship Scheme also helps to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills, and to expand their social network. Participating mentors are all experienced industry experts, young entrepreneurs and senior managements including HKLSS Vice- Chairmen Mr. Anthony Leung, HKLSS Advisory Board members, Professor Yuen Kwok-yung, Professor Keiji Fukuda, offering mentees valuable industry experience and networking resources, providing them the support needed in building their career in Hong Kong and Greater China.

Connecting Industry Experts and Younger Generation to Foster Development

As the communication bridge to connect life sciences industry experts and new generation, HKLSS has been dedicated its constant effort in offering a platform for industry updates and experience sharing to arouse young talents in joining the industry force.