News
Two-day summit underscores Hong Kong’s role as a gateway connecting the Greater Bay Area with the global clinical research community
(Hong Kong, 5 November 2026) – The Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute (GBAICTI) and the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Center (BAY TRIAL) successfully co-hosted the Clinical Advancement and Research Excellence (CARE) Summit 2026 in Hong Kong on 4 and 5 November, providing a valuable platform for government officials, representatives of regulatory authorities, international experts, researchers and industry leaders to exchange views on the future of clinical research and healthcare innovation, foster new partnerships and lay the groundwork for future collaboration.
Professor Lo Chung-mau, Secretary for Health of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, attended the Summit together with representatives from the National Medical Products Administration’s Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Drug Evaluation and Inspection. They also delivered addresses at the opening ceremony. The Summit marked an important milestone in GBAICTI’s efforts to strengthen Hong Kong’s clinical research ecosystem and promote collaboration across the GBA and internationally. It also highlighted the growing importance of regulatory and clinical research collaboration in advancing medical innovation and improving patient outcomes across Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and beyond.
The two-day programme featured more than 40 local and international speakers, including renowned academics and researchers from the Mainland, Australia, Canada, Japan, Macao SAR, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea, Singapore and the United Kingdom. The Summit also brought together prominent clinicians, researchers and healthcare leaders from Hong Kong to exchange insights and experience on clinical trials, regulatory innovation, real-world evidence and patient-centred research. By convening leaders and experts from across sectors and regions, the Summit built momentum for deeper collaboration in clinical research, scientific innovation and evidence-based healthcare development, with the shared goal of improving outcomes for patients in Hong Kong, the GBA and beyond.
Hong Kong Strengthens Its Role as a Regional Clinical Research Hub
"CARE Summit 2026 reflects a shared commitment across regulators, researchers, clinicians and industry to strengthen clinical research and deliver better outcomes for patients,” said Professor Bernard Cheung, Chief Executive Officer of GBAICTI. “As healthcare challenges grow more complex, cross-border collaboration is no longer optional — it is essential to accelerating innovation, expanding research capability and ensuring that scientific advances reach patients more quickly."
“Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to connect global expertise with the opportunities emerging across the Greater Bay Area,” Professor Cheung added. “Through platforms such as the CARE Summit, GBAICTI is committed to fostering high-impact partnerships, promoting regulatory and research collaboration, and accelerating the translation of innovation into tangible health benefits for patients."
Advancing a Shared Vision for Research Excellence
Across the two-day programme, delegates discussed how to strengthen regional and international clinical research networks, improve trial efficiency, deepen regulatory collaboration and harness emerging technologies to support more effective healthcare delivery. Discussions at the Summit identified priority areas for continued collaboration, including regulatory alignment, trial efficiency, digital innovation and the use of real-world evidence in healthcare decision-making.
Speakers emphasised the importance of building a robust research ecosystem that supports innovation while upholding strong scientific, ethical and regulatory standards. Discussions also underscored the growing role of patient participation and real-world evidence in shaping the future of clinical development and healthcare decision-making.
For more information about the CARE Summit 2026, visit: https://caresummit.hk/
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About Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute (GBAICTI)
The Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute is a unified platform for clinical innovation, bringing together Hong Kong’s public and private medical resources to support research across the region. Located in the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen–Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, GBAICTI provides a one-stop platform for clinical trials and strengthens the Greater Bay Area’s role as a world-class research hub. Through cross-border collaboration, streamlined processes, real-world data application, and talent development, we accelerate medical innovation. Working with the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trials Center, we coordinate multi-centre trials meeting national and international standards.
Media Enquiries
Samantha Wong
Director, Global Communications & Engagement
Email: samantha.wong@gbaicti.hk
Tel: +852 5366 1368
