HKU Joins Hands with China National Pharmaceutical Group Corporation in Translational Pharmaceutical R&D

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and China National Pharmaceutical Group Corporation signed a Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreement on September 19, 2011.

HKU Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Lap-Chee Tsui and President of China National Pharmaceutical Group Corporation Mr She Lulin have been the signees representing the two parties respectively at the ceremony.

This is the first time an agreement is signed between HKU and a national pharmaceutical group. The move is an important step to mark the cooperation of the two institutions in translational pharmaceutical research and development.

Under the agreement, the Group is granted distribution rights on the Mainland of an HKU developed leukaemia drug and the two institutions will join hands to develop an arrhythmia drug. HKU Vice-Chancellor Professor Lap-Chee Tsui said the agreement would foster collaborations in basic scientific research as well as pharmaceutical development. HKU Director of Technology Transfer Professor Paul Cheung said the pharmaceutical group would help the University to obtain drug accreditation on the Mainland and work out the logistics for sales distribution. He said the technology for developing the arrhythmia drug was still premature and Mainland pharmaceutical manufacturers' support would be necessary. The University is also planning to send doctoral students on short-term internship at the company.