(Hong Kong, 10 September 2024) – The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) and MGI Tech Co. (MGI) signed a strategic partnership agreement. MGI also announced cooperations with six scientific research institutions and enterprises in Science Park, including InnoHK’s Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (HKCeND); InnoHK’s Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health, Hong Kong Institute of Science & Generation, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CRMH, HKISI-CAS); Quantum Life; Asia Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory Limited; Codex Genetics and GemVCare. These collaborations aim to jointly build a world-class life science innovation platform in Hong Kong to propel the development of global innovation ecosystem. Additionally, MGI launched its latest product “αLab Studio” which integrates artificial intelligence technology and automation. The new laboratory management platform will reduce the time for designing experiments and simplify the process of research and experiments.
The signing ceremony was held during the Future of Omics Conference hosted by MGI. Witnessed by Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the Hong Kong SAR; Dr Sunny Chai, Chairman of HKSTP; Jian Wang, Chairman of MGI; and Duncan Yu, President of MGI, Gracie Ng, Chief of Staff of HKSTP and Siyuan Lin, Director of MGI, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, signed the agreement.
Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, said, “Our strategic location, world-class infrastructure, strong scientific research capabilities and extensive global connectivity make Hong Kong an ideal destination for nurturing cutting-edge research and development (R&D). The Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint also clearly indicated our development focus on technology industries of strategic importance, including life and health technology. I am delighted to learn that MGI has decided to deepen its collaboration with the Hong Kong Science Park by strengthening their strategic partnership with a view to establishing a R&D centre in Hong Kong, and establish partnership with six partner companies including two of our InnoHK research centres. I look forward to seeing the fruits of the collaborations that will propel the development of precision medicine in Hong Kong.”
Jian Wang, Chairman of MGI, envisioned a promising future of Hong Kong life science ecosystem, “Top-notch scientific research should result in high-quality industries, and that cutting-edge science should lead to cutting-edge industries. Scientific exploration and industrial development are closely linked. The Greater Bay Area is known for bringing together top talent and is rich in innovative vitality. These advantages provide exclusive power to promote the translation of scientific research results and connect with the global technology innovation system. We anticipate a thriving and prosperous life science development through the close integration of science and industry, ultimately contributing to the happiness of humanity."
Dr Sunny Chai, Chairman of HKSTP, said, “Together with MGI, we embark on a transformative journey that will redefine the landscape of biotechnology and precision medicine, shaping the future in ways we have yet to imagine. We anticipate that MGI's presence will attract a host of ecosystem partners, reinforcing Hong Kong's status as a strategic hub for global expansion. This will spark further collaborations and innovations across the region, solidifying our position on the world stage.”
Duncan Yu, President of MGI, said, "While MGI's mission is to develop and promote advanced life science tools for future healthcare, the application of these tools in frontier research truly gives them meaning and value. We are excited to hand with all the institutions and companies in Hong Kong Science and Technology Park to build a synergetic innovation ecosystem, providing advanced and user-friendly multi-omics tools for more cutting-edge scientific research and its translational application. This initiative aims to empower the innovation ecosystem in Hong Kong and contribute to making life science innovations accessible to everyone. "
MGI signed strategic cooperation agreements with six research institutes and enterprises in Science Park, namely InnoHK’s HKCeND; InnoHK’s CRMH, HKISI-CAS, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Quantum Life; Asia Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory Limited; Codex Genetics and GemVCare. MGI will provide the above strategic partners with advanced life science tools to accelerate translational research in the fields of neurodegenerative diseases, regenerative medicine, integration of quantum technology and artificial intelligence, molecular diagnostics, precision medicine, precision genomics, and diabetes, among others.
Under the collaboration, MGI and HKSTP and will build a world-leading laboratory of advanced life science together to provide researchers with state-of-art equipments including gene DNBSEQ sequencing, CycloneSeq sequencing, single-cell and spatial-transcriptomics analysis. Apart from organising regular international conferences and seminars for start-ups to connect with international experts and investors, both parties will cultivate high-skilled talents to bolster the development of life sciences in Hong Kong and around the world, with a view to enhancing public health.
Yang Meng, Assistant General Manager of MGI, announced the launch of αLab Studio, MGI’s intelligent laboratory assistant, to the market. Integrating cutting-edge AI technology with MGI’s automation technique, αLab Studio aims to address end users’ pain point of manual operation during experiments. αLab Studio supports voice input, provides an interactive experience with an interface visualising experiment design, and uses AI large language models (LLM) to generate experiment plans. Users can compose and adjust computer codes as needed, enhancing the flexibility and personalization of experiments.
With a large amount of R&D data training, αLab Studio can effectively understand the requirements of experiments, improve the design of workflows, automatically set equipment parameters, and accurately generate computer coding to ensure the accuracy and efficiency of experiments. Based on users’ feedback in early-stage trials, αLab Studio has shortened the time for designing experiments and writing computer codes by 40% and 60% respectively, significantly simplifying the process of experiments in scientific research.
MGI established its presence at Science Park last year and set up the αLab to allow more users to enjoy one-stop intelligent multi-omics solutions conveniently in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and the Asia-Pacific region. In March this year, MGI signed a partnership with the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) of the Hong Kong SAR Government. It is a core member in fostering the development of new quality productive forces in Hong Kong’s life science.
