The Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) of the Hong Kong government recently announced the results of applications for the inaugural Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme (RAISe+ Scheme) and held a signing ceremony. The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)’s research teams have been granted funding for seven projects, the highest number of awards among local institutions.

One of the projects, titled “Development of Personalized Advanced Therapeutic Products (ATPs) – Engineered Osteochondral Tissue (eOCT) for cartilage regeneration therapy” is led by Prof. Barbara P. Chan, Au Chik Ko and Au Leung Shook Yin Professor of Biomedical Engineering, the School of Biomedical Sciences (SBS). Prof. Chan’s team has developed a novel autologous mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based engineered osteochondral tissue (eOCT) with proper structural organization mimicking that of the native joint tissues. Working with orthopaedic surgeons, the team has also developed minimal invasive arthroscopic implantation of eOCT. They aim to develop new eOCT series for osteoarthritis; transfer the validated GMP manufacturing process back to Hong Kong; conduct phase II clinical trial on eOCT efficacy; and launch the eOCT treatment for individual patients.

Launched in October 2023, RAISe+ Scheme aims to unleash the potential of local universities in transforming and commercialising R&D outcomes, and facilitate collaboration among the Government, industry, university and research sectors. The RAISe+ Scheme will fund, on a matching basis, research teams in eight universities funded by the University Grants Committee that have the potential to become successful start-ups. Up to HK$100 million in funding support will be provided to each project that is approved.

The related coverage by the Communications and Public Relations Office and can be viewed HERE.

Prof. Sham Mai-har, CUHK’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) (4th from left) and Prof. Barbara P. Chan (1st from left) pictured with the representatives of the awarded research teams

香港政府創新科技署日前公布首屆「產學研1+計劃」申請結果，並舉行簽約儀式。香港中文大學（中大）研究團隊領導的七個項目獲得該計劃的資助，在本地院校中數量最多。

其中一個項目由生物醫學學院區積高區梁淑賢生物醫學工程教授陳佩教授領導，題為「開發個人化先進治療產品 (ATPs) ──用於軟骨再生治療的工程骨軟骨組織 (eOCT)」。陳教授團隊開發了一種新型自體間質幹細胞（MSC）為基礎的工程化骨軟骨組織（eOCT），它具有模仿天然關節組織的適當結構組織。團隊也與骨科醫生合作開發了 eOCT 的微創關節鏡植入術。團隊的目標包括開發新的骨關節炎 eOCT 系列；將經過驗證的GMP生產流程轉移回香港；進行eOCT療效II期臨床試驗及針對個別患者開展eOCT軟骨損傷治療。

香港政府於2023年10月推出「產學研1+計劃」，旨在釋放本地大學科研成果轉化和商品化的潛力，及促進政府、業界、大學及科研界的相關合作。計劃將以配對形式，資助有潛質成為成功初創企業、來自八所大學教育資助委員會資助大學的研發團隊，每個獲批項目可獲的資助最高可達一億港元。

中大傳訊及公共關係處的有關報導請按此處瀏覽

中大副校長（研究）岑美霞教授（左四）與陳佩教授（左一）及其他獲資助團隊代表合照

香港政府创新科技署日前公布首届「产学研1+计划」申请结果，并举行签约仪式。香港中文大学（中大）研究团队领导的七个项目获得该计划的资助，在本地院校中数量最多。

其中一个项目由生物医学学院区积高区梁淑贤生物医学工程教授陈佩教授领导，题为「开发个人化先进治疗产品(ATPs) ──用于软骨再生治疗的工程骨软骨组织(eOCT )」。陈教授团队开发了一种新型自体间质干细胞（MSC）为基础的工程化骨软骨组织（eOCT），它具有模仿天然关节组织的适当结构组织。团队也与骨科医生合作开发了 eOCT 的微创关节镜植入术。团队的目标包括开发新的骨关节炎 eOCT 系列；将经过验证的GMP生产流程转移回香港；进行eOCT疗效II期临床试验及针对个别患者开展eOCT软骨损伤治疗。

香港政府于2023年10月推出「产学研1+计划」，旨在释放本地大学科研成果转化和商品化的潜力，及促进政府、业界、大学及科研界的相关合作。计划将以配对形式，资助有潜质成为成功初创企业、来自八所大学教育资助委员会资助大学的研发团队，每个获批项目可获的资助最高可达一亿港元。

中大传讯及公共关系处的有关报导请按此处浏览

中大副校长（研究）岑美霞教授（左四）与陈佩教授（左一）及其他获资助团队代表合照