HKAPI Celebrates 56 Years of Innovation and Collaboration at Annual Dinner

The Hong Kong Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry (HKAPI) celebrated its 56th anniversary with an annual dinner held on June 20th, 2024 at the JW Marriott Hong Kong. The event brought together over 300 guests, including government officials, patient groups, academia, healthcare partners, NGOs, and industry members.

The honorable guest of the evening was Prof. Lo Chung-mau, Secretary for Health. In his keynote speech, Prof. Lo commended HKAPI for its longstanding commitment to advancing the pharmaceutical industry in Hong Kong and fostering collaborations that improve patient access to innovative medicines.

“Over the past 56 years, HKAPI has been a driving force in cultivating a vibrant and innovative pharmaceutical ecosystem in Hong Kong,” said Prof. Lo. “Your members’ dedication to research, development, and ensuring the highest quality standards has been instrumental in making Hong Kong a hub for healthcare excellence.”

Prof. Lo also highlighted the government’s continued efforts to support the industry, including recent initiatives to accelerate regulatory approvals, incentivize clinical trials, and enhance the city’s biotech infrastructure. He emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in addressing evolving patient needs and maintaining Hong Kong’s competitiveness in the global healthcare landscape.

“As we look to the future, I am confident that HKAPI will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the direction of the industry and improving the lives of patients in Hong Kong and beyond,” Prof. Lo concluded.

The annual dinner was also an opportunity to recognize the contributions of HKAPI members and celebrate the association’s longstanding history of driving progress in the pharmaceutical sector. Attendees enjoyed a evening of networking, knowledge sharing, and toasting to another year of success.

“Our partnership and continuous efforts are the key to taking healthcare excellence in Hong Kong to the next level and making this city a healthier place to live”

“In the pursuit of healthcare excellence, HKAPI has been a steadfast contributor, working hand-in-hand with the government, public sectors, organizations, universities and industry partners” said Ms. Shan Wu, President of HKAPI.

Reflecting on HKAPI’s 56-year history, Ms. Wu highlighted the association’s focus on enabling Hong Kong to become a biomedical R&D hub, with member companies collaborating extensively with local universities and conducting over 80% of industry-sponsored clinical trials in the city. She expressed excitement about the upcoming Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute and HKAPI’s commitment to supporting relevant government policies and initiatives.