The 2026 Global Health Summit opened in Hong Kong with a focus on moving scientific and healthcare innovations from research into clinical practice.
Jointly hosted by New Frontier Group and the Hong Kong Investment Corporation, the two-day programme brought together more than 3,000 participants and close to 200 speakers from healthcare, research, technology, investment and government.
Held under the theme “EXPONENTIAL: From Breakthrough Discoveries to Global Impact”, the summit covered frontier research, clinical translation, biotechnology investment, artificial intelligence and healthcare technology.
Hong Kong Investment Corporation highlighted biotechnology and health technology as priority sectors and discussed the role of long-term capital in supporting companies as technologies move from research through clinical development and commercialisation.
Clinical sessions examined translation of emerging research into patient care, including discussions focused on oncology and other advanced therapeutic areas.
Experts from institutions including Tsinghua University, Peking University Cancer Research Center, the China National Center for Respiratory Medicine and Shanghai Chest Hospital participated in sessions on clinical translation.
Participants highlighted collaboration between Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area as a potential route for accelerating the movement of innovative therapies from laboratory research into clinical use.
Investment forums brought together healthcare investors and industry participants to discuss financing for biotechnology and medtech companies across different stages of development.
The summit also examined longevity science, with researchers discussing ageing biology, immune reconstitution and regenerative medicine.
Scientists from Stanford University, Johns Hopkins University, Westlake University and Jinan University participated in discussions on the transition of longevity research towards clinical and consumer applications.
The event also marked the launch of the Asia-Pacific Society for Brain-Computer Interface, Brain Function Assessment and Neuromodulation.
The new organisation is intended to connect research, clinical, industry and investment communities while supporting clinical validation, technical exchange and standards discussions across brain science and neuromodulation.
