HKUMedXelerate 2025 Project Showcase: Breakthroughs in Neurological Care

We hope you're enjoying our series on the HKUMedXelerate 2025 Top 10 Projects from the LKS Faculty of Medicine at The University of Hong Kong. These innovations are driving Hong Kong's position as a global biomedical leader, addressing pressing healthcare challenges with cutting-edge science.

In this third edition, we spotlight Neurological and Rehabilitation Breakthroughs—two transformative projects tackling stroke management and recovery. With stroke affecting millions worldwide and rehabilitation access often limited, these solutions leverage nanotechnology and AI to deliver faster, more accessible care from emergency response to long-term rehab.

1. Revolutionizing Pre-hospital Ischemic Stroke Management: NanoPowder Nasal Spray

Led by Prof. Aviva CHOW, this pioneering portable nanoagglomerate intranasal spray represents a paradigm shift in pre-hospital stroke care. It delivers life-saving neuroprotective agents directly to the brain via nose-to-brain delivery—bypassing the challenging blood-brain barrier. Built on a patented scalable manufacturing platform, it produces stable, redispersible nano-in-micron powders with precise particle size control and consistent batch quality.

The flagship product, a Vitamin D3 nanoneurotherapeutic intranasal formulation, offers an affordable, accessible, and effective first aid for ischemic stroke, filling a critical gap in current clinical practice. It can be used as a single-use intervention or as a prehospital adjuvant to existing reperfusion therapies.

Preclinical models have demonstrated rapid neuroprotection around the ischemic core and preservation of motor functions, revealing significant potential to improve patient outcomes. This versatile platform can be adapted to deliver small molecules, biologics, and Traditional Chinese medicines. We are progressing toward partnerships and licensing in Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland to accelerate commercialization and clinical validation.

Learn more: Scan QR or click HERE to visit

2. SmartRehab - An accessible and affordable AI-powered telerehabilitation platform

Led by Prof. Gary LAU, SmartRehab uses computer vision and AI via a mobile device's front-facing camera—no external sensors needed—for precise motion tracking based on MediaPipe frameworks. Validated against Microsoft Kinect with excellent correlation, and protected by patents in the U.S., HKSAR and Chinese Mainland, it monitors joint positions, trajectories, and posture for gross and fine motor exercises, thus enables patients to complete motor exercises at home while therapists remotely monitor progress and personalize treatment.

Patients complete motor exercises at home, while therapists remotely visualize movement quality for personalized adjustments. It has been tested across seven countries, won a Gold Medal at the 49th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva 2024, is a finalist in the Asia Technology Entrepreneurship Conference (ATEC) Startup Competition 2025, and earned commendations from leaders in stroke and neurorehabilitation organizations.

Pilot studies are planned in Xiamen, with FDA and China NMPA approvals targeted soon to scale across Chinese Mainland and beyond, making rehab accessible and improving quality of life for those with impairments.

Learn more: Scan QR or click HERE to visit 

These projects promise to bridge emergency care and recovery, enhancing outcomes in neurology. 

Watch for our next email on AI-powered diagnostic systems!