The HKJCICM has completed its start-up phase and established a broad network with its stakeholders locally, in the Mainland and overseas. Through engagement and continuous discussion with experts in the field, the HKJCICM has acquired first-hand understanding of the CM R&D landscape and the markets.

Through its portfolio of R&D projects, the HKJCICM undertakes CM research related to quality control, biology, pharmacology and processing. As a few projects are oriented towards meeting technical requirements of Mainland regulations on the development of medicines, the HKJCICM has learnt much about market-specific regulations and intellectual property protection. So far, nine patents are either filed or under drafting and a number of scientific publications have been submitted for publication.

Noting the unique properties of CM in health maintenance and restoration of disequilibrium of body states leading to treatment of diseases, the HKJCICM will focus on using modern science and technologies to investigate the medicinal and pharmacological properties of CM in future development. Please see the “Developments” section.

Considering the strategic importance of QA and QC in promoting CM development , the HKJCICM has set up its Chinese Medicine Laboratory (CMED Lab) and associated research network to support research and industrial development.

The CMED Lab will become a centre of excellence in the development of QA schemes, standard-setting, provision of analytical methodologies and chemical markers / standards for QC of CM. The HKJCICM will expand partnerships with its key stakeholders to progress development. Please see the “Developments” section.

The HKJCICM has established its website for disseminating information in relation to research, industry and regulatory development. It will feature news and major events of Chinese medicine within and outside Hong Kong.

Government Initiatives

Readers are invited to note developments on a few government initiatives signed between the Mainland Government and the Hong Kong SAR Government to foster closer economic partnerships and technology collaborations. As CM is one of the identified focus areas, the HKJCICM will play a role to support development.

Chinese medicine is also one of the five technology areas within the Development Plan of ASTRI. As a subsidiary of ASTRI, the HKJCICM will be the centre for CM development under the government’s new strategy of innovation and technology development. It will plan, co-ordinate and fund projects to support the advancement of Chinese medicine and industrial development through value-added R&D.

The involvement of the HKJCICM in these government-driven initiatives will be integrated into the Chinese Medicine Development Roadmap of the HKJCICM. We will strengthen the existing management structures and systems for corporate and project management, IP and information management and business development. We will also establish and strengthen partnerships with research-based organisations and companies, among other key stakeholders in governments, public sectors, professional and industrial bodies.

Development Priorities

The HKJCICM aims to spearhead science and evidence-based development across CM, pharmaceutical, botanical, nutriceutical, food and other application areas through value-added R&D and partnerships with its stakeholders.

1. Chinese medicine R&D in ageing-related endocrinology and neuroscience, and other worthy projects

Endocrinology and Neuroscience embrace a variety of diseases and body states which are ageing-relevant. This research direction is selected to (1) create ‘natural’ interfaces between western medicine-trained clinicians and CM practitioners, hence supporting the Government to integrate CM into the existing medical system, (2) research and capture the essence of Chinese medicine for prevention and delay onset of disease progression, (3) embrace the local research stronghold in these areas, and (4) capture the business interests and market needs in the face of the tremendous unmet medical needs. This research direction also aligns well with the HKJC’s commitment to better elderly care and addresses the global and local problems associated with ageing.

A professional team of scientists with knowledge in the CM field and extensive industrial experience is being put together at the HKJCICM to strengthen R&D planning, management and co-ordination of related activities. The HKJCICM will select CM study entities with demonstrated scientific and clinical evidence in related areas of applications for further research. The HKJCICM aims to contribute towards strengthening the evidence base of CM in the long term. It is anticipated that there will be both near to long-term deliverables to facilitate the application of the research outputs. The HKJCICM will also fund other worthy R&D projects to advance the development of CM.

2. Strengthening quality assurance and quality control of Chinese medicine

Given the value of the “Hong Kong” brand, the local research track record and the credibility of local businesses in the provision of quality products and services etc., the HKJCICM is committed to this line of development.

Through funding, the HKJCICM has established its Chinese Medicine Laboratory and associated research network to strengthen pharmacognosy, phytochemistry research and quality control in Chinese medicine and to support our funded projects. This Laboratory will centralise planning and co-ordination for effective project management, use of resources and sharing of related technical information.

This Laboratory undertakes or co-ordinates the collection and authentication of Chinese medicine (CM) herbs for research into the quality of CM preparations and the establishment of banks of analytical methodologies, quality extracts and chemical markers supporting quality control of CM. This Laboratory, staffed by experienced scientists, will help strengthen related CM research capabilities. The adoption of quality assurance (QA) practices also helps to raise the quality of its funded research.

This Laboratory aims to become the centre of excellence with international recognition in the provision of authenticated raw materials, research methodologies and chemical markers for better quality control of Chinese medicine. As QA and QC of Chinese medicine are substantial activities of strategic importance, the HKJCICM will establish collaborations with key stakeholders within and outside Hong Kong.

With this foundation and in light of experience, we will progressively develop quality assurance schemes on CM or specific product categories with public or semi-public establishments in selected territories with significant trading volumes of CM-based products. The HKJCICM will partner with industry players for execution. Through this Laboratory and associated research network, the HKJCICM also aims to provide QC-related services for the industry.

3. Science, Technology and Information (ST&I) platforms for research and industrial development

The HKJCICM will establish a key ST&I platforms to support research and industry development. Through central planning and co-ordination, the HKJCICM aims to strengthen research in (i) safety appraisal of CM, including CM toxicity, herb-drug interactions and adverse drug response; (ii) pharmacological evaluation of CM preparations and (iii) development of CM research methodologies for evidence base. For efficiency and effectiveness, all activities at the HKJCICM will be integrated into its CM Development Roadmap and centrally managed by the Team HKJCICM.