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The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK); the People’s Government of Nansha District, Guangzhou; and Guangzhou First People’s Hospital today (15 July) signed an agreement to establish the Greater Bay Area Clinical Trial Centre (Guangzhou Nansha), The Chinese University of Hong Kong, to advance cross-boundary clinical research collaboration and medical innovation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). The Centre is expected to strengthen clinical research capabilities and healthcare quality across the region, and accelerate the development and adoption of innovative pharmaceuticals and medical technologies for the benefit of more patients. CUHK will continue to support national development strategies and the development of the GBA by leveraging its strengths in research, clinical services and education, fostering healthcare innovation and high-quality development, and contributing to the region’s emergence as an international hub for medical innovation.

The agreement was signed by Ms Ma Jiehong, Deputy District Mayor of Nansha District, Guangzhou; Professor Philip Chiu Wai-yan, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, CUHK (CU Medicine); and Professor Fu Yongshui, Party Secretary of Guangzhou First People’s Hospital. Witnessing the signing ceremony were Mr Leung Chun-ying, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC); Professor John Chai Yat-chiu, Chairman of the CUHK Council; Professor Anthony Chan Tak-cheung, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of CUHK; Ms Agnes K.P. Tsang, Associate Vice-President of CUHK; Mr Liu Wei, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Guangzhou Municipal Committee and Secretary of the CPC Nansha District Committee; Mr Peng Chun, Full-time Vice Chairman, Committee on Education, Science, Culture, Health and Sports, Guangdong Provincial Committee of the CPPCC; and Mr Li Tiegang, Deputy Director of the Guangzhou Municipal Health Commission.

Professor Fu remarked: “The simultaneous inauguration of these two centres—the GBA Clinical Trial Centre (Guangzhou Nansha), CUHK and the GBA Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Center—represents a key strategic initiative by the hospital in implementing the Nansha Plan and actively integrating into the development of the GBA. Through this important partnership with the Nansha District Government and CUHK, the hospital will leverage Nansha’s pioneering policy advantages, CUHK’s world-leading research capabilities and its own comprehensive clinical resources and national-level clinical trial platform to establish a premier hub for Guangzhou-Hong Kong cross-boundary clinical research collaboration.

“In addition, the launch of the GBA Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Center will build on the Guangzhou-Hong Kong joint research platform, focusing on three core areas of innovation: exoskeleton robotics, personalised orthotics enabled by 3D printing and precision musculoskeletal regenerative therapies. These efforts will support the development of a leading precision rehabilitation brand within the GBA.”

Professor Chan expressed his sincere gratitude to the People’s Government of Nansha District, Guangzhou; and Guangzhou First People’s Hospital. He said: “Through the efforts of all three parties, the Centre will be an important platform to advance regional clinical research innovation. It will conduct research on pharmaceuticals and medical devices in accordance with national regulations and international standards; advance multicentre, cross-boundary and cross-regional collaboration; and provide a systematic platform for talent development and academic exchange. We look forward to translating research into impact, contributing to the nation’s high-quality development and safeguarding public health.”

Mr Liu said that, in line with the “Healthy GBA” initiative under the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Nansha has leveraged national policy advantages to deepen Guangzhou-Hong Kong healthcare collaboration through convenient measures such as the “Elderly Health Care Voucher” and the “Hong Kong and Macao Medicine and Equipment Connect” schemes. The inauguration of the two major centres marks a significant milestone in healthcare integration between Guangzhou and Hong Kong.

Looking ahead to the 15th Five-Year Plan period, Nansha will advance the “Five-Port Linkage” strategy and develop the “Five Key Highlands”, focusing on three key fronts of deepening clinical innovation collaboration, utilising pioneering pilot policies to advance the alignment of healthcare regulations and standards, and facilitating the cross-boundary translation chain of medical innovations. Backed by a robust industrial foundation of more than 540 biopharmaceutical companies, Nansha will further deepen partnerships with Hong Kong’s top universities and healthcare institutions to build itself into a demonstration zone for deeper Guangzhou-Hong Kong healthcare integration.

Mr Leung added: “The development of the GBA is a major national strategy, and Guangzhou-Hong Kong collaboration in healthcare is an important measure to improve people’s livelihoods and wellbeing. The establishment of these centres exemplifies the powerful synergy arising from the complementary strengths of Guangzhou and Hong Kong. The centres will provide a platform in the Chinese Mainland for the translation of Hong Kong’s research outcomes, while injecting new impetus into healthcare development in Nansha.

“We look forward to the three parties deepening their cross-boundary collaboration, advancing internationalization and pioneering a gold standard for medical innovation in the GBA, contributing to the high-quality development of the nation’s healthcare sector.”

First-batch flagship studies: AI-powered scoliosis screening and stem cell therapy for knee osteoarthritis

The Centre’s inaugural study will externally validate a CUHK-developed AI algorithm for the screening of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) using portable, radiation-free 3D surface topography. The technology enables automated, quantitative assessment of spinal deformities from back surface images, offering a safer and more accessible alternative to conventional X-ray screening. The team will validate the technology in real-world clinical settings in Nansha. The initiative aims to deliver a scalable, cost-effective, radiation-free screening model to improve adolescent spinal health by supporting early detection and intervention.

CUHK will also collaborate with Guangzhou First People’s Hospital Nansha Hospital to conduct a Phase I clinical trial of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy for knee osteoarthritis. The study will explore the potential of regenerative medicine in treating this common degenerative joint disease among middle-aged and older people. MSC therapy involves injecting donor-derived mesenchymal stem cells into the affected joints to reduce inflammation, relieve pain and potentially repair damaged cartilage, offering a promising new treatment option.

A world-class, multifaceted clinical trial centre that complies with international standards

Located at Guangzhou First People’s Hospital Nansha Hospital, the GBA Clinical Research Centre (Guangzhou Nansha), CUHK will focus on high-impact areas of medical innovation and serve as a strategic platform for clinical research collaboration between Hong Kong and Guangzhou. The Centre will promote cross-boundary research, medical innovation, talent development and clinical trial advancement, while advancing mutual recognition of clinical data, referral collaboration and research translation between the two places. It will also attract local and international medtech enterprises to establish a presence in Nansha, promoting the two-way translation and commercialisation of medical innovations in Hong Kong and Nansha.

To enhance professional competencies and facilitate talent mobility across the GBA, the three parties will establish a systematic training and professional development framework, including the promotion of modern qualifications frameworks like clinical research certification and micro-credential systems. The Centre will also operate under a rigorous quality management and governance framework, with all collaborative clinical studies conducted in compliance with internationally recognised quality assurance standards to ensure patient safety and data integrity.

GBA Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Center unveiled

Coinciding with the establishment of the Clinical Research Centre, the GBA Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Center, jointly developed by Guangzhou First People’s Hospital, the Nansha District Health Bureau and CU Medicine, was also inaugurated on the same day. Focusing on musculoskeletal disorders, sports injuries and scoliosis, the Centre will introduce Hong Kong’s evidence-based rehabilitation management practices and internationally aligned clinical pathways to advance precision rehabilitation services, innovative research and professional training. Working in synergy with the Clinical Research Centre, it will further advance clinical research and research translation in musculoskeletal disorders and enhance rehabilitation services across the GBA.

Advancing a new chapter in Guangzhou-Hong Kong healthcare collaboration

The establishment of the Clinical Research Centre marks a crucial milestone in healthcare collaboration between Hong Kong and Guangzhou, ushering in a new phase of partnership in clinical research, medical innovation and talent development. By fusing Hong Kong’s research strengths with Nansha’s policy and industrial advantages, the Centre will further promote healthcare integration and innovation across the GBA.