Life Sciences Entrepreneurship Conference: Perspectives from Hong Kong and Switzerland

Life Sciences Entrepreneurship Conference: Perspectives from Hong Kong and Switzerland

Overview

In partnership with the Swiss Biotech Association and InvestHK, HKLSS is hosting "Life Sciences Entrepreneurship Conference: Perspectives from Hong Kong and Switzerland" on 21 March 2025.

The conference brings together leading experts, entrepreneurs, and innovators from Hong Kong and Switzerland to discuss the current state and future trends in life sciences entrepreneurship. It will also explore investment opportunities, success stories, and potential collaborations between the two regions.

The conference consists of two sessions:

(I) From Bench Side to Board Room: This session will include keynotes on incubating life sciences entrepreneurship in Hong Kong and transitioning from researcher to entrepreneur. It will feature start-up showcases in Hong Kong and Switzerland.

(II) Investing in the Life Sciences Ecosystem: This session will focus on incubating start-ups from Hong Kong to Switzerland perspective as well as building vibrant life sciences ecosystems in both regions.

Date

21 March 2025 (Friday)

Time

13:30-18:20

Venue

House Studio, 1/F, Soho House Hong Kong, 33 Des Voeux Road West, Sheung Wan

Language

English and SI (Putonghua)

Program

13:30-14:00	Registration and Networking
14:00-14:10	Welcoming and Opening Remarks Mr Antony Leung, Vice Chairperson of HKLSS; Chairman of Nan Fung Group and Chairman and Co-founder, New Frontier Group Mr Daniel Freihofer, Consul General, Switzerland in Hong Kong
Session (I): From Bench Side to Board Room
14:10-14:30	Plenary: Catalyzing Biotech Innovation in Hong Kong: Bridging Swiss Excellence to China's Ecosystem Dr Qiusong Tang, Head of Roche Accelerator
14:30-14:50	Keynote: Inspired to Transform, the Genome Informs Dr Eric Adam, Chief Operations Officer, HAYA Therapeutics SA
14:50-15:30	Start-up Showcases: Switzerland [Hybrid Participation] Mr Erik van den Berg, Chief Executive Officer, Memo-Therapeutics AG Dr Christian Leisner, Chief Executive Officer and Director, CDR-Life AG Dr Andrea Chicca, Chief Executive Officer, Synendos Therapeutics AG Moderator: Ms Tinnie Chau, Principal, Private Equity, Ally Bridge Group
15:30-15:40	Networking Break
15:40-16:20	Start-up Showcases: Hong Kong Dr Lydia Leung, Chief Executive Officer, Belun Technology Prof Zongli Zheng, Co-founder and Chairman, GenEditBio Dr Eddy Wu, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Arctic Vision Moderator: Dr Chuen Yan Leung, Partner (Healthcare Investment), Value Partners Group and Co-founder, Silver Dart Capital
16:20-16:30	Networking Break
Session (II): Investing in the Life Sciences Ecosystem
16:30-16:45	Keynote: Incubating Start-ups: a Swiss Perspective [Live Online Participation] Dr Igor Fisch, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder, NewBiologix; and President, FONGIT
16:45-17:00	Keynote: Incubating Start-ups: a Hong Kong Perspective Mr Emmanuel Hui, Chief Executive Officer, Tiger Jade Pebble Accelerator
17:00-17:10	Networking Break
17:10-17:35	Fireside Discussion: Enhancing the Life Sciences Ecosystem in Hong Kong Panelists: Dr Eric Adam, Chief Operations Officer, HAYA Therapeutics SA Mr Emmanuel Hui, Chief Executive Officer, Tiger Jade Pebble Accelerator Dr Grace SN Lau, Head of Life and Health Technology, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation Prof Anderson Shum, President, The Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences; Vice-President (Research), and Chair Professor of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong Mr Andy Wong, Head of Innovation and Technology, Invest Hong Kong Moderator: Dr Bettina Ernst, Chief Executive Officer, BERNINA BioInvest and Vice-President, Swiss Biotech Association
17:35-17:40	Q&A
17:40-17:50	Closing Remarks Ms Lillian Cheong, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, HKSARG [Online Participation] Dr Bettina Ernst, Chief Executive Officer, BERNINA BioInvest and Vice-President, Swiss Biotech Association
17:50-18:20	Networking Drinks