STARTUP RESOURCES

This guideline outlines the key components involved in translating healthcare innovations at HKU from early-stage ideas to real-world impact. While the specific sequence of steps may vary depending on the nature, stage, and needs of your project, the following areas should be considered:

1. Assessing the commercial and clinical potential of your innovation
2. Protecting intellectual property before public disclosure
3. Building a capable venture team and accessing start-up support
4. Navigating declaration, licensing, and contractual arrangements
5. Planning and conducting clinical development in line with regulatory and ethical requirements
6. Exploring incubation and fundraising opportunities

Engage with the relevant HKU units early—including the Technology Transfer Office (TTO), HKU Versitech, HKU Clinical Trials Centre (HKU-CTC), TEC, and other partners—to reduce risk, accelerate development, and maximise the impact of your work.

01 Commercialisation Assessment

Analyse the market to pinpoint opportunities in healthcare and outline commercialisation strategies. Identify regulatory pathways at an early stage. Seek advice from us and the HKU Technology Transfer Office (TTO) to evaluate prospects and feasibility.

02 IP Protection 

Work with the IP Team at TTO to plan and file patents, ensuring protection is in place before any public disclosure.

03 Venture Building

Begin assembling your team as early as possible. Consider reaching out to TEC, which offers talent-matching support partnering with CEDARS and advice on start-up essentials such as market validation, business planning, and shareholding structure through mentors and Service Partners.

04 Declaration & Licensing

Faculty members should follow the instructions to make a Declaration of Interests via the HKU Portal. If you intend to use HKU-owned IP, secure a licence from HKU Versitech Limited; such agreements may be structured around clinical milestones.

For standard templates of research-related agreements (e.g., licensing agreements, material transfer agreements, collaboration agreements), refer to the HKU TTO Templates page.

05 Clinical Development

Many projects require clinical data to support validation, safety, efficacy, and regulatory approval. Work with the HKU Clinical Trials Centre (HKU-CTC) for the design, management, and conduct of studies, from pre-clinical stages through Phases 1–4.

Prepare a study protocol early and obtain:

• Ethics approval from the HKU/HA Hong Kong West Cluster Institutional Review Board (IRB)
• Regulatory approval from the Hong Kong Department of Health

Seek advice from us and HKU-CTC on compliance, submissions, ongoing IRB reporting, and data privacy/biosafety. Early consultation is recommended to reduce risk and speed up development.

06 Incubation & Fundraising

Participate in innovation competitions, e.g. HKUMedXelerate, to gain training, mentorship, and professional networks. 

Consider funding opportunities offered by HKU, Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) and health-focused incubators (e.g. the Hong Kong Science Park Biomedical Cluster).