The Asia Summit on Global Health (ASGH) and the Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair have concluded in Hong Kong, marking the end of a vibrant programme filled with discussions, deal-making, sourcing and networking for professionals in Asia’s healthcare and medical industry.
Some 13,000 buyers from 57 countries and regions attended the Medical Fair and accessed some 300 exhibitors showcasing the latest innovations and products in health, wellness, biotechnology, rehabilitation and hospital equipment.
Meanwhile, over 2,900 participants attended the ASGH which was held simultaneously.
Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the two events were key highlights of the International Healthcare Week uniting healthcare stakeholders from around the globe. Participants included government officials, organisations, research pioneers, investors, and business leaders, all collaborating to tackle healthcare challenges.
Reflecting on the events’ achievements, HKTDC Chairman Dr Peter K N Lam said they had showcased Hong Kong’s role as an international innovation and technology hub. Moreover, the events helped connect innovation resources, effectively “paving the way for a healthier and more inclusive future.”
Summit highlights collaboration across borders
Now in its fifth year, the Asia Summit on Global Health focused on the role cross-border collaboration plays in delivering health outcomes that are equitable and sustainable and presented more than 80 speakers from government, academia, and business sectors.
In the Summit’s plenary sessions, speakers from organisations such as the World Health Organisation, universities in Hong Kong and France, and the health ministry of Peru shared insights on tackling global healthcare challenges.
Ambassador George Hara, Group Chairman and CEO of DEFTA Partners and former Special Advisor to the Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister of Japan, remarked that more advanced technology and new government regulations are needed to reach a compromise between companies' profits and patients' needs.
Other conference sessions examined topics such as public health, technology breakthroughs, healthy ageing and the potential use of AI to speed up the discovery of new treatments.
On the business front, a key session focused on the expanding opportunities within the mainland healthcare market. Marc Horn, Executive Vice President of Merck and President of Merck China, discussed China’s evolution from developing drugs primarily for domestic use to pioneering advanced treatments with global impact.
His insights were echoed by Dr. Zhang Lianshan, Executive Vice President of the newly listed Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals, who stressed that maximising value requires the company’s innovations to be globally integrated.
Additionally, the event saw the announcement of multiple agreements between medical providers, tech firms, pharmaceutical companies, and industry bodies. These collaborations span various areas, such as patient care, diagnostic solutions, cutting-edge medical devices and advancements in medical imaging.
Medical Fair attracts global buyers
A prominent annual event in the industry, the Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair has showcased cutting-edge medical instruments, healthcare products, and advanced technologies for over 15 years. This year's edition featured 300 exhibitors, including new suppliers from Singapore, Germany, Italy and Luxembourg. Notably, exhibitors from the United Kingdom, Thailand and Israel set up pavilions for the first time.
The Fair also saw participation from seven local universities, more than 30 technology companies affiliated with Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks, and over 20 enterprise members of the Hong Kong MedTech Association.
Returning for the third time, Hong Kong-based Eieling Technology showcased its non-invasive liver examination technology, reporting potential orders worth several million Hong Kong dollars from partners in mainland China, Indonesia and Thailand. The company confirmed its intention to attend again next year.
Meanwhile, Korean buyer Mr. Karel Lee sourced multiple medical products at the Fair, including a nasal decongestion device from Israel. He praised the event’s online matching platform for helping him discover numerous potential suppliers, stating, “This is one of Asia’s premier medical sourcing events, and we will definitely return next year.”
Beyond business deals, the Fair also featured many industry seminars examining the latest industry trends, updates and product innovations. Selected sessions are available for replay on the Fair’s website.
