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HKSTP Leads Largest-Ever Hong Kong Delegation to BIO 2026 Showcasing Life and Health Tech Strength

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3 months ago

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Hong Kong

41 local tech firms, institutes and university spin-offs head to San Diego to forge global partnerships, reinforcing the city’s status as international healthcare innovation hub
HONG KONG SAR/SAN DIEGO, UNITED STATES – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 June 2026 – Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), in collaboration with InvestHK as co-organiser, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) as supporting organisation, and five renowned 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 and City University of Hong Kong – to form the city’s largest-ever delegation of life and health technology innovators to the BIO International Convention 2026 (BIO 2026) in San Diego, from June 22 to 25.

Building on last year’s momentum, the 2026 Hong Kong delegation doubled the size of the Hong Kong Pavilion, expanding to a record of 41 organisations from HKSTP, including partner companies, research institutes, and for the first time with top five universities spin-offs. This landmark presence showcased Hong Kong’s deep strength across AI-enabled biotech, therapeutics, diagnostics, and pharma innovation, with potential outstanding “First-in-Class” and “Best-in-Class” assets. The delegation underscores the city’s leading role as Asia’s largest and the world’s second largest fundraising hub for the biotechnology sector.

Mr. Terry Wong, CEO of HKSTP, said, “BIO 2026 is a premier platform to showcase Hong Kong’s groundbreaking innovation, deepen partnerships, and open new pathways into global healthcare markets. As a super-connector, Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to bridge global innovators with opportunities across Asia and beyond. With strong R&D capabilities backed by world-class universities—five ranked among the QS Top 100, including two with medical schools now placed in the global top 20—Hong Kong’s biotech and medical research excellence is increasingly recognised worldwide. As the city’s innovation ecosystem orchestrator, HKSTP brings together talent, capital, research institutions, clinical partners, and industry leaders to accelerate the journey from discovery to impact. We will continue to empower life and health technology ventures, translating innovation breakthroughs into life-changing solutions that benefit communities around the world.”

HKSTP and Park Companies Advanced in Cross-border Innovation and Market Expansion

A key highlight of BIO 2026 is witnessing the signing of three major strategic partnerships:

LabCentral — HKSTP signed an MOU with one of the largest global non-profit biotech incubators, supporting life sciences startups with high-impact lab infrastructure and scientific community programmes. The collaboration will deepen ties between the U.S. and Hong Kong life sciences ecosystems through startup support, ecosystem engagement, and co-developed programmes, events and strategic initiatives. It will also help connect startups, investors, corporate partners and research institutions, creating stronger pathways for cross-border innovation and commercialisation.

Immuno Cure – the developer of the first-in-human novel therapeutic HIV vaccine ICVAX – announced its collaboration with OPIS, an international Contract Research Organization (CRO), at BIO 2026. Leveraging OPIS’s full-service, multi-country clinical trial expertise and regulatory knowledge, the partnership will support overseas clinical trial execution and establish a global framework to prepare for international expansion.

Zhaoke Ophthalmology signed an MOU with Laboratório Teuto, the first company to produce generic medicines and OTCs (Over the Counter – Prescription Exempt Medicines) in Brazil, to explore cross-border cooperation in ophthalmology. This is Zhaoke’s first strategic MOU in Brazil market. Leveraging its innovative pipeline and Teuto’s commercial network in Brazil, the partnership aims to bring advanced eye care treatments to Latin American patients while demonstrating the globalisation of Hong Kong-born biotech innovation.

Beyond the BIO 2026 Hong Kong Pavilion, HKSTP CEO Mr Terry Wong attended the “Translating Innovation Across Borders: Creating Global Gateways for Biotech Startups” panel sharing session. Mr. Wong shared his insights on cutting-edge biotech trends, Hong Kong’s strengths on life and health tech development, and HKSTP’s role in building a global bridge for nurturing global startup expansion, sustainable innovation and collaboration.

Furthermore, HKSTP and five Hong Kong university delegates visited the Salk Institute, home to six Nobel Laureates during BIO 2026 to explore partnerships and shape global biotech momentum through collaborative platforms. HKSTP, in collaboration with InvestHK as co-organiser, HKTDC as the supporting organisation, and powered by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco, hosted a Global Mixer during the exhibition. Industry leaders, incubators, and venture capital firms – including Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson Innovation, LabCentral, Roche, Simcere Pharmaceutical, and T.Rx Capital – were invited to join the judging panel for startup pitching sessions. The Pavilion also featured executive sharing and curated networking events for commercialisation, licensing, partnerships, investment and international market expansion.

Global recognition at Biomedical Pitch Competition

In the lead-up to BIO 2026, HKSTP actively drove engagement across the biotech sector and co-organised the 2026 Biomedical Pitch Competition with the Boston Capital Investment Club in Boston on May 23 and 24. Competing against around 170 biotechnology companies worldwide, HKSTP park company Meta Pharmaceuticals (HK) Limited won Third Place for its next-generation autoimmune therapeutics. The recognition underscores the strength of Hong Kong’s biotech pipeline and HKSTP’s commitment to translational medicine, commercialisation and globally scalable healthcare solutions.

HK’s biotech ecosystem rises to another level

Hong Kong continues to expand its global healthcare footprint as the world’s second-largest biotech fundraising hub. As Hong Kong’s flagship innovation and technology ecosystem, HKSTP is home to more than 300 life and health technology companies and helps innovators turn pioneering ideas into real-world impact. Its ecosystem connects capital, talent, infrastructure and market access across the biotech innovation journey.

Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) was established in 2001 to create a thriving I&T ecosystem grooming 13 unicorns, more than 17,000 research professionals and over 2,500 technology companies from 26 countries and regions focused on developing healthtech, AI and robotics, fintech and smart city technologies, etc.

Our growing innovation ecosystem offers comprehensive support to attract and nurture talent, accelerate and commercialise innovation for technology ventures, with the I&T journey built around our key locations of Hong Kong Science Park in Pak Shek Kok, InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong and three modern InnoParks in Tai Po, Tseung Kwan O and Yuen Long realising a vision of new industrialisation for Hong Kong, where sectors including advanced manufacturing, micro-electronics and biotechnology are being reimagined.

Hong Kong Science Park Shenzhen Branch in Futian, Shenzhen plays positive roles in connecting the world and the mainland with our proximity, strengthening cross-border exchange to bring advantages in attracting global talent and allowing possibilities for the development of technology companies in seven key areas: Medtech, big data and AI, robotics, new materials, microelectronics, fintech and sustainability, with both dry and wet laboratories, co-working space, conference and exhibition facilities, and more.

Through our R&D infrastructure, startup support and enterprise services, commercialisation and investment expertise, partnership networks and talent traction, HKSTP continues to contribute in establishing I&T as a pillar of growth for Hong Kong.

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Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) Announces Keynote Speakers for 2026 Conference

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23 hours ago

on

September 16, 2026

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AWIEF

The conference theme this year is, Beyond Access: Owning Capital, Markets and Power

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, September 16, 2026/APO Group/ –The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) (https://AWIEForum.org) has announced the keynote speakers for its prestigious annual conference taking place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), 10 – 11 November 2026 for the advancement of women in Africa as innovators and entrepreneurs.

AWIEF, which this year hosts the 12th edition of its benchmarking Conference, Expo and Awards event, has more than 60 African and global thought leaders across business and politics to share insight and thought leadership on the conference agenda.

 




  

The conference theme this year is, Beyond Access: Owning Capital, Markets and Power. The two-day event will have global thought leaders, industry experts, policymakers, development organisations, investors, women entrepreneurs. and ecosystem stakeholders gather to dialogue, connect, network, share, collaborate, and transact in a collective effort to accelerate the growth of women-owned and women-led businesses in Africa.

 

AWIEF2026 will explore what it takes to move beyond access and create greater ownership and influence for women across Africa’s economies, with a focus on capital, markets, leadership, and innovation.

 

Headline Speakers Taking the Stage

Taking the stage at the AWIEF conference, to deliver trailblazing keynotes and fireside chats are three exceptional global female leaders and influential voices.

Dr. Rania Al-Mashat is the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary, UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). Dr. Al-Mashat is an Egyptian economist who served eight consecutive years as Egyptian Cabinet Minister (2018-2026) across three portfolios: Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation; Minister of International Cooperation; and Minister of Tourism.

Magda Wierzycka is founder and CEO of Sygnia Limited, a JSE-listed South African financial services group and leading provider of passive investment solutions, savings products, stockbroking and administration services. She is also a partner at Braavos Investment Advisers LLP in the UK. Recognised by Forbes as one of Africa’s 50 Most Powerful Women in 2020, she is widely respected for her leadership and outspoken stance against corruption.

Dr. Judy Dlamini is Chancellor, University of the Witwatersrand (WITS). She is a medical doctor by training, a leading businesswoman, author, and philanthropist. Dr. Dlamini is the Executive Chairperson of Mbekani Group. She is Founder, Female Academic Leaders Fellowship Fund (FALF).

The conference will have other powerful and high-level speakers and leaders from international institutions, government, diplomacy, finance, academia, technology, and business sharing insights and knowledge in panel discussions and entrepreneur-focused masterclasses and workshops aimed at strengthening enterprises, scaling businesses and navigating African and global supply chains.

AWIEF 2026 Conference Features

An exhibition will take place alongside the conference showcasing businesses and organisations; Pitch n Grow competition presenting twelve outstanding women founders selected from across African countries, building and scaling African deep-rooted tech solutions and looking for capital; and the AWIEF Awards celebrating excellence in African women entrepreneurship will be presented on Day 2 of the event, 11 November.

 

Tickets for the AWIEF 2026 Conference, Expo and Awards are available online at: https://apo-opa.co/3T6yipO

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF).

 

 




 

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Energy

United States (U.S.), Argentine Representatives Join African Mining Week (AMW) 2026 as Mineral Diplomacy Reshapes Supply Chains

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1 day ago

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September 16, 2026

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Representatives will bring international perspectives to African Mining Week 2026 discussions on mineral investment, value addition and cross-border cooperation

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, September 16, 2026/APO Group/ –African Mining Week (AMW) 2026, taking place from October 14–16 in Cape Town, will feature senior United States (U.S.) and Argentine representatives in discussions examining mineral investment, value addition and international cooperation.

Ashley Ndir, Principal Commercial Officer with the U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. Department of Commerce/International Trade Administration, and Raúl Santiago Ailán, Head of Mission and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary at the Embassy of Argentina in South Africa, have joined the conference, signaling growing international interest in Africa’s mining opportunities.

 




 
 

Ndir will join the U.S.–Africa Roundtable on Advancing Local Beneficiation and Standardizing ESG Frameworks. Drawing on her role in expanding American market opportunities and economic partnerships, Ndir is expected to bring a commercial diplomacy perspective to discussions on U.S.–Africa market integration.

Her participation comes as the U.S. advances its African mining strategy, centered on facilitating investment in mineral development and exports. Through agencies like the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, the U.S. Export–Import Bank and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency alongside private industry, the U.S. continues to back major project development across key mining jurisdictions, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon and Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Ailán joins the conference at a time when Argentina is accelerating its own mining expansion. The country is a major lithium producer and is seeking to expand copper development, while African mineral producers are similarly working to attract investment into exploration, processing and supporting infrastructure. This creates scope for greater cooperation between African and Latin American mining jurisdictions across investment, technical expertise and mineral development.

Ailán will join the panel discussion on Realigning National and International Goals to Advance Global Investment in Africa’s Value Chain. The session will examine how national development priorities can be aligned with international investment requirements to support greater value addition.

Under the theme Mining the Future: Unearthing Africa’s Full Mineral Value, AMW 2026 will bring together governments, investors, mining companies and international partners to advance investment across mineral exploration, production, processing and supporting infrastructure. The event offers a strategic international forum to foster engagement, strengthen mineral ties and advance development in Africa and across international markets.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

 




 

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Energy

VUKA Group RDC Joins Makutano Mining 2026

Published

1 day ago

on

September 16, 2026

By

VUKA

Two leading platforms in the Congolese mining sector unite their networks ahead of the Kinshasa forum, taking place from 22 to 25 November 2026

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of the Congo, September 14, 2026/APO Group/ –VUKA Group RDC (http://WeAreVUKA.com/) will participate in the inaugural edition of Makutano Mining, taking place from 22 to 25 November 2026 in Kinshasa, under the High Patronage of His Excellency the President of the Republic.

As the organiser of DRC Mining Week and the DRC Critical Minerals & Industrialisation Forum, VUKA Group RDC will showcase its platforms and programmes and mobilise its network of operators, investors and suppliers around the four-day programme. The two organisations will also jointly promote the forum across their respective channels, bringing Makutano Mining 2026 to the attention of mining industry stakeholders in the DRC, across Africa and internationally.

 




  

This collaboration brings together two complementary platforms. While DRC Mining Week has focused on operations and on-the-ground realities from Lubumbashi, Makutano Mining brings to Kinshasa a space for vision, strategy and national decision-making, in close proximity to the Presidency, ministries and governors of the mining provinces. Bringing these two levels together is what has been missing from the Congolese mining conversation.

This partnership reflects our commitment to strengthening the bridges between platforms that contribute to the development of the mining sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo

“This partnership reflects our commitment to strengthening the bridges between platforms that contribute to the development of the mining sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We are pleased to participate in Makutano Mining 2026 and to put our platforms and network at the service of this collective momentum.”

Papy Luzala, Managing Director, VUKA Group RDC

“Bringing VUKA to Kinshasa means bringing together in one room those who produce and those who make decisions. Our two platforms are complementary, and the Congolese mining sector has everything to gain from this collaboration.”

Nicole Sulu, Founder, Réseau Makutano

Beyond November, the two organisations intend to promote knowledge sharing, strengthen connections between stakeholders and support the development of more integrated mining and industrial value chains in the DRC. They share a common conviction: that the mining sector should be a driver of local value creation, industrialisation, skills development and employment.

Makutano Mining 2026 will take place from 22 to 25 November 2026 in Kinshasa. Four days bringing together the country’s highest-ranking government authorities, industry leaders and international financiers around the theme of mining sovereignty.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

 




 

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