Page 54 - OHKF_Biotech_EN

5
•
Furthermore, we suggest that the National Development and First, establishing a biotech mega research institute is conducive
Policy recommendations for the governments of Hong Kong and Shenzhen
46
Reform Commission assume the role of the initiating party, to promoting cross-institution and cross-disciplinary co-operation
which links together the Guangdong Provincial Government, and pursuing interdisciplinary research in biology, medicine,
the Hong Kong SAR Government, and the Shenzhen chemistry, engineering, mathematics, statistics, etc., which can
Municipal Government to establish the Shenzhen-Hong Kong in turn help tackle increasingly complex biological challenges.
Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Fund. Second, provision of substantial capital and state-of-the-art
This will provide funding to frontier basic research and technology equipment will be appealing to world-class research talent.
transfer of research findings in biotech jointly conducted by Hong A sustained advanced research platform should also be
Kong and Shenzhen, support the construction of local testing established to assist them in making major scientific breakthrough.
centres and clinical trial centres, as well as attract scientists. To In addition to attracting international talent, the mega research
meet the needs of applicants for their technological research and institute will serve as an important infrastructure for nurturing talent
market demand, the Fund should cover the expenses incurred by by providing a comprehensive career path and large and stable
quality assurance and the hiring of professional services, on top of advanced research opportunities. Finally, the Broad Institute in
expenses on research and equipment, to aid the research and Kendall Square offers a useful reference in that it renders support
development process. to the advanced technological research of downstream
enterprises in similar fields. It demonstrates how a biotech mega
research institute connects the academic and industrial sectors;
Recommendation 1.3 Establishing a cross-
border biotech mega research institute thereby fostering industrial, academic and research collaboration;
and encouraging high-tech industrialisation in the area.
A survey on the willingness of Mainland talent to stay in Hong
Kong for either a short or prolonged period shows that those from The Hong Kong SAR Government has developed the medical
professional, scientific and technical sectors have lower intention technology and innovation platform, Health@InnoHK, with HKD
than the overall average. The higher their education level (i.e., PhD), 5 billions to focus on healthcare areas, including drug discovery,
the lower their willingness to stay in Hong Kong for a short or molecular diagnostics, R&D of vaccines, medical devices and so
47
longer period. If adequate and quality employment opportunities on. However, the funding period for research lasts only for 4 to 5
are secured for them, they will be more inclined to stay in Hong years and the final application of the technology being developed
Kong. In the long run, enhancing the level of advanced research is one of the assessment criteria. Therefore, applicants may be
and attracting high-calibre individuals are crucial to the sustained inclined to pursue medium and short-term application-orientated
development of the biotech industrial cluster. A mega research projects that can be completed within 5 years, which is not
institute can play a pivotal role in helping achieve these two goals conducive to building a long-term advanced technological and
(see Figure 14). 48 innovative cluster.
52