This content is only available in Traditional Chinese or Simplified Chinese.
This content is only available in Traditional Chinese or Simplified Chinese.
This content is only available in Traditional Chinese or Simplified Chinese.
On 15 and 17 June 2024, HKLSS conducted both physical and online orientation sessions for the interns of the Summer Internship Program 2024. These sessions provided interns with comprehensive insights into the HKLSS Summer Internship Program, acquaint them with their roles and responsibilities as interns, and enable them to establish program objectives and equip themselves for the upcoming six-week internship.
The commencement of the Hong Kong Life Science Society (HKLSS) Summer Internship Program 2024 is scheduled for the end of June. This year's interns will be assigned to prominent life sciences and biotechnology companies in Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong, where they will engage in an enriching six-week internship. Moreover, HKLSS has curated a series of weekend activities exclusively for the interns, including sharing sessions and company visits. These activities will offer diverse perspectives on the current landscape and advancements in the life sciences industry in mainland China and Hong Kong, empowering interns to explore potential career paths and further educational pursuits from different angles.
HKLSS Summer Internship 2024 Opening Ceremony cum Wuxi-Shanghai Study Tour Kick-off Ceremony was held successfully on 20 June 2024.The event began with welcoming remarks by Prof Ken Wong, Executive Director of HKLSS and the opening remarks by the Honourable Mr Henry Tang, GBM, GBS, JP, Founding President of Federation of HK Jiangsu Community Organisations. The ceremony is followed by an engaging panel discussion on “Preparing a career in VUCA world” by Ms Lisa Cai, Director of Nan Fung Life Sciences, Prof Daniel Lee, Associate Vice-President (Innovation and Enterprise) of CUHK, and Prof Anderson Shum, President of The Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences.
We also kicked off the Wuxi-Shanghai Study Tour, co-organized with the Hong Kong Wuxi Trade Association and supported by the Youth Development Commission. Participants will travel to Wuxi and Shanghai during 25-29 June 2024 to visit the renowned life sciences companies and get to know the industry development in mainland China.
This year, we welcomed over 40 interns for the 6th cohort of the Summer Internship Program and over 50 participants joining the first Wuxi-Shanghai Study Tour organized by HKLSS and Hong Kong Wuxi Trade Association. We hope the programs will let the young talent understand more about life sciences and biotechnology development in Hong Kong and mainland China.
Thank you all partners for supporting our programs! Wish all interns and study tour participants will have a fruitful journey this summer!
The Hong Kong Life Sciences Society (HKLSS), dedicated to cultivating professional talents in life sciences since its establishment in 2018, continues to provide the vastly popular Summer Internship Program. This year saw the 6th edition of the program, which both the number of applicants and final admissions reached record highs. It also marks the first time internship opportunities being offered in Shenzhen, in addition to Hong Kong and Shanghai. The expansion allows undergraduate and postgraduate students to gain a deeper understanding of the frontier developments and technological innovations in the life sciences industry in Mainland China. The program concluded with a closing ceremony last Saturday, where participating organizations and the distinguished guests witnessed the interns’ growth.
The six-week Life Sciences Summer Internship Program is conducted annually from early July to mid-August. This year, over 400 applications were received, of which, many had come from students studying abroad. In the end, 42 undergraduate and postgraduate students from Hong Kong, Mainland China, and abroad were selected. The students interned at 23 organizations including start-ups, venture capital firms, healthcare and pharmaceutical companies, and non-governmental organizations in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. The internship offered them with opportunities to explore in pioneering research and technologies, which equipped them for future careers.
Prof Ken Wong, Executive Director of HKLSS, said in his speech, “Exposing our talent to diverse perspectives and career paths is a key part of preparing them for the future. This is the reason we launched our summer internship program back in 2019. By engaging talent to work and live in the three cities, we can further enhance cross-cultural exchange and learning opportunities for our interns. This cross-city collaboration is crucial as we collectively work to cultivate the next generation of life sciences leaders.”
Prof Wong added, “Before the internship program began, we also launched a five-day study tour to Wuxi and Shanghai, in partnership with the Hong Kong Wuxi Trade Association. This allowed our interns to gain insights into different aspects of the industry that are not easily accessible in Hong Kong alone.”
Program Expands to Shenzhen, Benefiting Both Employers and Students
Shenzhen-based Signet Therapeutics participated in the program for the first time. Dr Shu Zhuo, Vice President and Head of R&D at Signet, expressed his delight with the company’s involvement. He mentioned that Signet, located in the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, aims to attract Hong Kong talents for internships and exchanges. Dr Zhuo said, “Our company has developed a focused and systematic training program specifically for interns, covering areas from organoid platforms to drug pipelines, allowing students to gain substantial experience within six weeks.” He also praised the Hong Kong students for their global perspective and communication skills, stating, “Their innovative thinking is remarkable, enabling them to effectively analyze and solve problems, which enriches our working environment. For R&D companies like ours that require constant innovation, such cultural exchange is essential.”
Internship Program Equips Overseas Students in Future Career Planning
16 students participating in this year's summer internship program are from overseas universities. Among them, Susan Pan, who is enrolled in the HKU-Cambridge Undergraduate Recruitment Scheme (Natural Sciences), interned at Signet’s R&D department this summer through HKLSS’s program. She said, “I believe Shenzhen's life sciences and pharmaceutical development is among the best in the country. As the hub of the Greater Bay Area, Shenzhen has great potential for joint development with Hong Kong. During my internship in Shenzhen, I was able to interact with colleagues from different cultural backgrounds, all of whom are highly motivated and eager to explore.”
Susan values this internship, which provided her with a more concrete vision for her future career, such as first-hand experience of laboratory work and experiment processes. She encouraged other peers who are considering to join the Internship Program, “Be proactive in engaging and communicating with your colleagues. Be brave to ask questions and learn from your seniors. Enjoy this internship as it is an invaluable opportunity to learn and explore.”
In-Depth Understanding of Hetao Development
A record number of postgraduate students participated in the HKLSS Summer Internship Program this year. Tony Xie, a PhD candidate at the University of Hong Kong's Faculty of Medicine, chose to intern in Shenzhen, joining the The Chinese University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Futian Biomedical Innovation R&D Center. Tony believes that participating in the internship as a postgraduate student has many benefits, “In addition to broadening my horizons and opening up possible career paths, I believe employers will view graduates who have completed an internship as more experienced and prepared, and it serves as an advantage in the job market. Interning in Shenzhen required adapting to cultural differences at the beginning, but I gradually realized that their equipment and working environment are very similar to those in Hong Kong, making it easier for us to adapt.”
Students participating in the Internship Program noted that the HKLSS internship is highly regarded by their academic institutions and various corporations. The program also includes workshops, site visits, and exchange activities that enrich the participants’ understanding and better prepare them for their future careers. HKLSS will continue strengthening its collaboration with laboratories and biotech companies in Shenzhen and Hetao area. Additionally, it aims to provide study tour opportunities in more locations in the fields of research, testing, and artificial intelligence for local and overseas students.
The “Brew & Bubble: DIY Kombucha Workshop for Mental Wellness” was held on 25 May 2024 at The Mills Fabrica as part of the International Healthcare Week 2024. Our young mentor and member, Dr Stella Wong, who is also the Founder of Lectcha and Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner, shared her knowledge of kombucha-making and her experience of incorporating Chinese medicine to the kombucha brewing during the event. With step-by-step guidance, the participants learned how to create their own kombucha.
When asked to imagine what a Sciences major will be doing after graduation, most people would intuitively think of a scientist wearing a white coat and working at a laboratory. While this can be true, it is not always the case. In fact, there are numerous career options available to graduates. That said, Ms Lisa Cai, Director of Pivotal Life Sciences & Public Investing, has observed that even current students hold this stereotypical notion about careers in the Sciences.
“There are quite a lot of life sciences and medical science students in Hong Kong, but not many of them are aware of career paths other than medical doctors and university researchers. Actually, there are plenty of job positions they can consider, such as marketing at multinational pharmaceutical companies and investment analysis at investment firms. They can even start their own businesses after gaining research experience in the market,” Lisa remarks.
To assist students in uncovering the enormous prospects that lie ahead, Lisa has joined the annual Mentorship Scheme and Summer Internship Program organized by Hong Kong Life Sciences Society (HKLSS). “My aim is to provide the next generation of life sciences talent with opportunities to explore the investment industry. These positions don’t usually recruit at the entry level, so there is very little information about what they actually entail. Through learning about what we do on a daily basis, interns will come out of the program with a better understanding of investment as a potential career path down the line.”
So, how are life sciences and investment – two seemingly unrelated disciplines – intertwined? “The life sciences sector has a huge demand for early-stage investment and fundraising, especially during the clinical trial stage,” explains Lisa, adding that the government and the industry should facilitate more collaboration between investors and researchers to expedite the funding process. “In this regard, HKLSS can serve as an effective platform for researchers, investors, and students to communicate and interact,” she says.
The robust financial system and abundant opportunities in the Greater Bay Area are just two aspects among the extensive list of favourable investment environment in Hong Kong. It is no surprise that the city has now emerged as Asia’s largest and the world’s second largest fundraising hub for biotechnology sector. With several government policies in the pipeline, such as a $200 million plan to support incubation and acceleration programmes to Hetao startups engaging in life and health technology, as announced in the HKSAR 2024-25 Budget, the industry will continue to thrive.
Having worked with young talent through HKLSS programs in the past four years, the industry veteran is impressed by their competence. “They all have a solid science background and demonstrate exceptional analytical skills, which is crucial for analysis of investment opportunities in any field. With minimal guidance, they have produced excellent research in various therapeutic areas. Another positive attribute they share is their great attitude. They are always eager to learn and help out whenever needed. It’s been a joy working with them.”
On a personal note, Lisa shares that the experience has added extra invigoration to her own work. “The interns and mentees brought about a sense of curiosity and wonder that tends to be muted over time after one has been in an industry. It has been refreshing to discuss various topics from the perspective of a fresh set of eyes.” While eagerly anticipating the arrival of more young scientists in the investment industry, she has some advice to share with the younger generation: “Keep abreast of other industries and global affairs. Read news to broaden your perspective. And, be proactive about networking.”
From making observations to asking questions, designing experiments, and conducting testing, the road to scientific discoveries, whether big or small, takes significant time and resources. Therefore, it is crucial for laboratories to secure substantial and sustainable funding. This is exactly what Mr Emmanuel Hui, CEO of the Pebble Accelerator, an early-stage investment company backed by the CRO Tigermed and its USD fund Tiger Jade, can offer. “My work is to identify promising technologies in local universities that are worth investing in and turn them from zero to one.”
Describing Hong Kong as an “untapped gold mine”, the private investor explains, “The life sciences and biotech industry is still new and nascent, meaning that there are lots of opportunities for growth. My mission at my company and Hong Kong Life Sciences Society (HKLSS) is to uncover, polish, and marketize these gems.”
Having worked closely with his portfolio companies, he is well aware of their common challenge – recruitment. “I would love to hire from HKLSS’s talent pool. However, I do see a mismatch between supply and demand.” He further elaborates, “One of the companies looks for someone with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) expertise, but few in town have such a background. On the other hand, the city has a good supply of students interested in life sciences investment, but they are in low demand because the startup industry is still immature.”
To rectify the mismatch, nurturing talent is key. With well-structured programs all year round, HKLSS is committed to attracting, cultivating, and retaining talent in Hong Kong. Emmanuel, who serves on HKLSS Advisory Board, remarks, “I believe that as HKLSS continues to train talent over time, the supply and demand of human resources will gradually rise, ultimately reaching an equilibrium.”
Noticing the lack of hands-on experience among local talent, which could undermine their competitiveness, Emmanuel points out that starting one’s own company is a viable option. “You have to try it yourself. Either you fail or succeed. Only when you try it with your own hands will you learn something. And those skills are impossible to teach.”
To many, failure is a prerequisite for success, and this philosophy aptly applies to Emmanuel’s own success story. “I started a company with some professors when I was in university. At that time, I didn't know a thing, running into trouble everywhere. But eventually it became a listed company, thanks to the obstacles we faced along the way. It's all about learning through experiences,” he shares.
Interestingly, failure remains an integral part of his current work as a financier of start-ups. “I expect many of them will fail. But there will always be successful ones, who will become the foundation of Hong Kong‘s future.”
Aside from fostering a trial-and-error spirit, Emmanuel also emphasizes the significance of a strong R&D drive among aspiring scientists, suggesting, “We should reform the KPIs for junior academic and clinical staff to encourage greater involvement in research and R&D. Translational output should be taken into consideration for tenure and other job performance indicators.”
But work is not just about staying in the office or laboratory day and night. Having fun with collaborators is just as essential. Recalling the chill vibe at a HKLSS event, where he mingled with his peers and enjoyed the goji berry beer handcrafted by its interns, the young man says, “I’m grateful to HKLSS for inviting me to that occasion. I hope there are more to come! It'd be great if people could get together on weekends, engage in meaningful conversations, discuss market trends, and form communities where they could work, play, and conduct research together. We need a meeting point where people can share ideas and stimulate their creativity.”
A comprehensive life sciences ecosystem rests upon sufficient and positive interaction among its up-, mid-, and downstream sectors. Hong Kong, home to five of the world’s top 100 institutions according to QS University Rankings 2024, has a definite upstream strength. To maintain its academic advantage, the city should adopt a multifaceted approach to training a new generation of professionals, as suggested by Mr Meng Gao, Group Chief Investment Officer at Nan Fung Group, who oversees the Group's investment activities and strategic initiatives including Pivotal Life Sciences.
“Investing in science education at the school level and encouraging biotech research at the college level and beyond will help nurture homegrown talent, whereas grants and scholarships are essential to attract competent candidates locally and abroad,” comments Gao, while emphasizing the importance of a diversified talent pool, “When it comes to attracting talent, we should not only focus on life sciences, but also IT, finance, legal, and more.”
As a member of Hong Kong Life Sciences Society (HKLSS) Advisory Board, Gao acknowledges the Society’s work in this area, stating, “HKLSS's flagship programs can attract and create a pipeline of young talent.” Among the programs, he shares a personal reflection on its annual Mentorship Scheme, where he served as a mentor: “Keeping abreast of what’s going on in the campus and with the younger generation is very exciting. It helps me contemplate how I can better utilize my experience to excel in my career. The learning is mutually beneficial.”
Gao’s experience stands as a testament to the synergy brought to the field by HKLSS, whose mission is to build a dynamic ecosystem in Hong Kong. To turn this vision into reality, the involvement of the government is instrumental. “The HKSAR government is implementing policies to attract non-local talent and foster translational research. The establishment of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park further demonstrates its commitment to providing a favorable environment for life sciences and tech companies,” the industry expert says.
To be completed in phases starting this year, the Park has life and health technology among its six core functions, with an InnoLife HealthTech Hub in the works. In addition to setting aside HK$10 billion to promote the sector, the government launched The Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises with life and health technology as a key target industry.
Situated at Lok Ma Chau along the border adjacent to Huanggang Port, the Park exemplifies the strategic location of the Special Administrative Region. “Hong Kong benefits from its proximity to a vast market not only in the Greater Bay Area but also in Mainland China as a whole,” highlights Gao, stressing, “To position itself as a tech hub for Mainland China and the wider region, Hong Kong can consider strengthening collaboration with Mainland China in R&D and advanced manufacturing, while maintaining a global perspective is crucial.”
Indeed, cross-border collaboration is a proven success. According to the Global Innovation Index 2023, the Shenzhen‑Hong Kong‑Guangzhou Science and Technology clusters ranked second globally in terms of the number of patents and scientific publications.
“The future of the life sciences and biotech landscape in Hong Kong appears promising, especially in the longer term,” concludes Gao, whose optimistic outlook is widely shared. Noting that every economic pillar takes time to develop, the financial specialist trusts that dedicated organizations like HKLSS can play a pivotal role in accelerating the progress. “By building a vibrant biotech ecosystem through connecting companies, talent, and academia, HKLSS can foster a conducive environment for growth and generate more industry opportunities, further solidifying Hong Kong's position in the biotech landscape.”
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