From assisting in cancer treatments to detecting Alzheimer’s disease and helping couples conceive, the following healthtech, medtech and biotech start-ups from Hong Kong are leading the way in their respective fields.
1. Bioinformatics solutions for vaccines
Vaccines are key to epidemic prevention and control. Beth Bioinformatics Co Limited provides a series of innovating bioinformatics solutions for vaccines, including optimal antigen design, region-specific antigens, vaccine effectiveness estimation, protein binding and codon optimisation for influenza, COVID-19 and other viruses. BethBio’s research and development is based on validated findings empowered by machine learning, statistics and computational biology.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020. And yet cancer mortality can be reduced if cases are detected and treated early. By working with experts and practitioners in artificial intelligence, pathology, oncology and veterinary pathology, ITSCI Company Limited develops innovative and commercially viable solutions for cancer treatments. Its latest creation is AIstain, an artificial intelligence-based image generation technology for cancer surgery.
Aurora Tele-Oncology Limited provides patients with an oncology-specific telemedicine platform, so that they can consult doctors worldwide to receive second opinions on their conditions. The second opinion could give a patient more confident on the current doctor and the original treatment plan. The second doctor might also provide insight into additional and novel treatment options and even clinical trials.
BP InnoMed Limited is dedicated to developing a wide range of pioneering medical products, including theranostics probes, intelligent molecular sensors and certain pro-drugs with a diverse set of properties for medical diagnostics and cancer therapy or rehabilitation. Its current project focuses on the research and development and commercialisation of the theranostics inhibitors for eradicating Epstein-Barr Virus(EBV)-associated cancer, for example, nasopharynx cancer.
PhoMedics Limited aims at developing cutting-edge imaging technology that can enable hospitals to increase their efficiency, maximise the usage of resources and revolutionise the standard of patient care. One of its revolutionary imaging tools is the CHAMP microscope, which is a fast, accurate and simple device for intraoperative cancer margin analysis.
3. Detecting Alzheimer’s disease
The WHO states that there are more than 55 million people worldwide with dementia and there are nearly 10 million new cases every year. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and may contribute to up to 70 per cent of cases. Though there is no cure for the disease, early detection means patients can receive medical treatments earlier, which can help slow down the deterioration and reduce the symptoms.
MIND and Tech Ltd develops the first-generation ultra-sensitive detection kit for biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease. The laboratory-friendly detection kit is cost effective, simple to use, direct yet sensitive for early detection and diagnostics of the disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Cognitact Limited focuses on the development of the biomarker panel for the pre-clinical evaluation of the risks for ageing-related diseases, in particular, Alzheimer’s disease. The biotech company has identified novel disease-associated genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease in the Chinese population, with further development of genetic biomarkers for quantitative estimation of individual risks for developing the disease based on the existing database.
4. Solutions to infertility
It is estimated that around one in seven couples may have difficulty conceiving. With a team of experts in reproductive medicine, biomedical sciences, biomedical engineering and computer sciences, EggLogics Limited has developed patent-pending revolutionary infertility solutions: EggBoost is an innovative microfluidic in vitro maturation (IVM) treatment solution that improves the quantity and quality of useable oocytes, while EggScore is a novel egg quality assessment platform that helps women and clinicians make informed decisions about in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and egg freezing plans.
5. Wearable robotic hand for rehabilitation
Thanks to the rapid developments in soft robotic technologies, Hopebotics Limited offers the SOFTHand, a wearable robotic hand, to disabled and post-stroke individuals for their rehabilitation, assisting them in their daily activities and improving their quality of life. The company also collaborates with clinicians and physical therapists to offer patients professional rehabilitation guidance with the use of the robotic hand.
6. Software for designing medical devices
Hi-tech engineering company Levolution Technology Limited provides structural engineers and designers of the medical industry with the cloud-based generative design platform, ECLIBSE, helping them create lightweight, cellular and porous structures that are ready for additive manufacturing. It also provides professional services for designing customised, lightweight, multifunctional and optimised structures for personalised medical apparatus.
7. Hardware for MRI-guided robotic systems
Momentus Robotics Limited is a robotics company that develops high-performance magnetic resonance-safe hydraulic motors for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided robotic systems. It offers a range of MR-safe motors with high power and unlimited range actuation that do not inhibit MR-imaging quality. Furthermore, the company provides custom solutions that are tailor-made to clients’ specifications.
8. Phytonutrient-based healthcare products
Herbap Biotech Limited produces phytonutrient-based products using scientific processes and advanced tools. Its hero product is the phytonutrient-based remedial mist for hypertrophic scars. In addition, the start-up supplies various kinds of small molecular phytonutrients, so companies and manufacturers can add them to their own healthcare products.
Check out more healthtech, medtech and biotech products at hktdc.com Sourcing.
