Nansha Plan<\/em><\/a> 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\u2019s pioneering policy advantages, CUHK\u2019s 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.<\/p>\r\n\u201cIn 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.\u201d<\/p>\r\n
Professor Chan expressed his sincere gratitude to the People\u2019s Government of Nansha District, Guangzhou; and Guangzhou First People\u2019s Hospital. He said: \u201cThrough 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\u2019s high-quality development and safeguarding public health.\u201d<\/p>\r\n
Mr Liu said that, in line with the \u201cHealthy GBA\u201d initiative under the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Are<\/em>a, Nansha has leveraged national policy advantages to deepen Guangzhou-Hong Kong healthcare collaboration through convenient measures such as the \u201cElderly Health Care Voucher\u201d and the \u201cHong Kong and Macao Medicine and Equipment Connect\u201d schemes. The inauguration of the two major centres marks a significant milestone in healthcare integration between Guangzhou and Hong Kong.<\/p>\r\nLooking ahead to the 15th Five-Year Plan period, Nansha will advance the \u201cFive-Port Linkage\u201d strategy and develop the \u201cFive Key Highlands\u201d, 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\u2019s top universities and healthcare institutions to build itself into a demonstration zone for deeper Guangzhou-Hong Kong healthcare integration.<\/p>\r\n
Mr Leung added: \u201cThe development of the GBA is a major national strategy, and Guangzhou-Hong Kong collaboration in healthcare is an important measure to improve people\u2019s 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\u2019s research outcomes, while injecting new impetus into healthcare development in Nansha.<\/p>\r\n
\u201cWe 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\u2019s healthcare sector.\u201d<\/p>\r\n
First-batch<\/strong> flagship studies: AI-powered scoliosis screening and stem cell therapy for knee osteoarthritis<\/strong><\/p>\r\nThe Centre\u2019s 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.<\/p>\r\n
CUHK will also collaborate with Guangzhou First People\u2019s 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.<\/p>\r\n
A world-class, multifaceted clinical trial centre<\/strong> that complies with international standards<\/strong><\/p>\r\nLocated at Guangzhou First People\u2019s 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.<\/p>\r\n
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.<\/p>\r\n
GBA Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Center unveiled<\/strong><\/p>\r\nCoinciding with the establishment of the Clinical Research Centre, the GBA Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Center, jointly developed by Guangzhou First People\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\r\n
Advancing a new chapter in Guangzhou-Hong Kong healthcare collaboration<\/strong><\/p>\r\nThe 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\u2019s research strengths with Nansha\u2019s policy and industrial advantages, the Centre will further promote healthcare integration and innovation across the GBA.<\/p>","show_as_achievement":false,"achievement_category":[],"show_as_clarification":true,"show_as_announcement":false,"photos":[{"photo":238176,"caption":"Ms Ma Jiehong, Deputy District Mayor of Nansha District, Guangzhou (middle); Professor Philip Chiu Wai-yan, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, CUHK (CU Medicine) (left); and Professor Fu Yongshui, Party Secretary of Guangzhou First People\u2019s Hospital sign an agreement to establish the Greater Bay Area Clinical Trial Centre (Guangzhou Nansha), The Chinese University of Hong Kong. \r\n(Back row, from left) Ms Agnes K.P. Tsang, Associate Vice-President of CUHK; Professor Anthony Chan Tak-cheung, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of CUHK; Professor John Chai Yat-chiu, Chairman of the CUHK Council; Mr Leung Chun-ying, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the CPPCC; 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."},{"photo":238175,"caption":"The plaque unveiling ceremony for the Greater Bay Area Clinical Trial Centre (Guangzhou Nansha), The Chinese University of Hong Kong"},{"photo":238180,"caption":"Professor Anthony Chan Tak-cheung, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of CUHK delivers a speech"},{"photo":238177,"caption":"Guests visit the Greater Bay Area Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Center"},{"photo":238182,"caption":"Featuring state-of-the-art equipment, the Greater Bay Area Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Center enhances the standard of rehabilitation healthcare services in the region."}],"attachments":null,"video_source":"","video_file":"","add_play_button":false,"video_caption":"","show_migration":false,"original_id":0,"photos_original":null,"attachments_original":null},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press\/238171","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/press"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press\/238171\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":238185,"href":"https:\/\/www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press\/238171\/revisions\/238185"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=238171"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=238171"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}