HK to Conduct Study on Biotechnology CapabilitiesThe Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) of Hong Kong is to conduct a study on the biotechnology capabilities of Hong Kong, according to a meeting held by the Council of Advisors on Innovation and Technology Wednesday."The main objectives of the study are to examine Hong Kong's current biotechnology capabilities in terms of manpower, infrastructure and support for applied research and development and to identify the impediments and advantages of developing commercial application of biotechnology," said a spokesman of the council. The study will also give pointers to the steps required for promoting biotechnology in Hong Kong, the spokesman added. Three overseas biotechnology experts have been invited to conduct the study, with the support of ITC's biotechnology team. The three experts are Sir Colin Dollery, senior consultant to SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals from the United Kingdom; Professor Savio Woo, director of the Institute for Gene Therapy of the New York University of the United States; and Dr. Kenneth Fong, founder and president of Clontech Laboratories, Inc. from the United States. The three biotechnology experts plan to visit Hong Kong on September 21-30, this year and will meet prominent figures in the academic, business, industrial and financial sectors to exchange views, the spokesman said. A report on the snapshot study is expected in about three months' time. |
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