The Biotech team of the Technology Transfer Office attended the BIO International Convention (BIO) 2019 at Philadelphia from 3-6 June 2019 to promote technologies from HKU.  The BIO attracts biotechnology and pharma leaders who come together for one week of intensive networking to discover new opportunities and promising partnerships. It is the first time for TTO to participate in BIO.

The following technologies from Faculty of Medicine were showcased at the HKU booth: 

(1)    Methods and Compositions for Use of Neutrophil Elastase and Proteinase 3 as Diagnostic Biomarkers 
A novel method for risk predication and accurate diagnosis of autoimmune diabetes by measuring enzymatic activities and protein concentrations of neurophil elastase (NE) and proteinase 3 (PR3) in human plasma. It is developed by the research team of Professor XU Aimin, Department of Medicine

(2)    Delivery and expression systems for anti-viral therapeutic molecules 
A dual function peptide vector, TAT-P1, efficiently delivers DIG-3 to inhibit viral replication and also directly inhibits influenza viral replication. It is developed by the research team of Professor Yuen, Kwok-Yung, Department of Microbiology

(3)    Immuno-oncolytic modified vaccinia tian tan virus and methods of treating cancer
An immune-oncolytic method by combining intratumoral administration of oncolytic modified vaccinia Tian Tan (MVTT) virus and depletion of myeloid-derived immunosuppressive cells (MDSCs) to induce protective T cell immune responses that exhibited dose-dependent effects in regression of solid tumors such as mesothelioma (AB1) and melanoma (B16F10). It is developed by the research team of Prof. CHEN Zhiwei, Department of Microbiology

(4)    Annexin A3 as a Diagnostic Biomarker and Therapeutic Target for Treating Hepatocellular Carcinoma
A novel diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for treating hepatocellular carcinoma. It is developed by the research team of Dr. MA Stephanie, School of Biomedical Sciences

Additionally, TTO also prepared a brochure for marketing other biotech related technologies from HKU. Besides showcasing the technologies, TTO staff also arranged private meetings with 35 companies through the BIO One-on-One Partnering™ and the Exhibitor booth partnering systems to discuss possible collaboration and licensing opportunities.