CNRM at LEAP East 2026

Seizing the opportunity to branch out into the global market, CNRM participated in the LEAP East 2026 event held from 8-10 July at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). With LEAP’s successful flagship event based in Saudi Arabia, LEAP East became a new meeting point for innovative minds and tech experts to empower strategic collaborations and explore Hong Kong’s technology ecosystem, inspiring ideas and change through cultural diversity and the latest cutting-edge research.

 

We introduced our project on “Advancing Cell Therapies for Life-Changing Patient Outcomes” focused on transformative cell therapies ranging from the development and supply of GMP-grade Advanced Therapy Products (ATPs), including mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and CAR-T immunotherapies for clinical use in hospitals and medical centres. CNRM’s spin-off company, Trilateral Biopharmaceutical Limited (TL), also provides GMP consultancy and CDMO services to help institutions and biotech firms achieve scalable manufacturing and market entry.

 

The event concluded with great success, and CNRM had the valuable opportunity of meeting with global entrepreneurs and experts of diverse backgrounds, forging connections that create new opportunities and continue to drive growth to the Centre’s developments and the future of Hong Kong’s tech advancements.

CNRM Seminar (23 June 2026)

Our center was pleased to organise a CNRM – BME (CUHK) Joint Seminar titled “Cell and Growth Factor Control of Intervertebral Disc Health and Disease” on 23 June 2026. We are delighted to have Prof. Hicham Drissi (Emory University) to share his research topic.

Topic:

Cell and Growth Factor Control of Intervertebral Disc Health and Disease

 

Speaker:

Professor Hicham Drissi

Department of Orthopaedics

School of Medicine

Emory University

Date:

23 June 2026 (Tuesday)

 

Time:

2:30p.m.

 

Venue:

Room 1122, William M W Mong Engineering Building, CUHK

CNRM at the Asia Summit of Global Health 2026

Held between 11-12 May at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Asia Summit of Global Health makes a grand return as one of the two flagship events of International Healthcare Week. Delivering the latest global trends in health innovation and encouraging business and collaboration opportunities across multi-disciplinary fields, this two-day event served as a large networking hub to bring together entrepreneurs and biotechnology experts, building a one-stop platform for deal-making and investment matching.

 

CNRM showcased alongside other InnoHK centres, attracting visitors from various backgrounds to share valuable insights on the latest cutting-edge medical technologies and market demands, inviting discussions for potential collaborations and commercial ventures.

 

Furthermore, we also had the opportunity to present at the Project Pitching Session under the Pharmaceutical & Community Health column, where a representative from CNRM introduced our latest developments in MSC (mesenchymal stromal cell) therapy for sarcopenia and frailty. Leveraging our spin-off company Trilateral BioPharmaceutical Ltd., we hope to provide streamlined services starting from B2B sales of GMP-grade MSC therapies to CDMO manufacturing and regulatory consultancy services in an automated large-scale MSC production platform.

CNRM signs MoU with Sweden’s Cellcolabs AB to advance mesenchymal stromal cell therapy for knee osteoarthritis

Our Centre has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sweden-based company Cellcolabs AB, a leading producer of high-quality, GMP-certified mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), in a strategic move to facilitate CNRM’s upcoming Phase I/II clinical trial investigating mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy for knee osteoarthritis.

 

Knee osteoarthritis is a common condition in older adults that affects joint cartilage and impedes movement. While current treatments range from pain medications, physical therapy, lubricating injections to other surgical procedures, CNRM proposes in an innovative breakthrough the use of allogeneic MSC therapy, a regenerative approach that injects donor-derived cells into the joint to reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and potentially restore damaged cartilage.

 

“This MoU marks a major step forward in turning rigorous academic research into effective treatments for patients with knee osteoarthritis,” said Professor Patrick Yung Shu-hang, Director of CNRM and Chairman of the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology in the Faculty of Medicine at CUHK.

 

“This partnership reflects our focus on enabling high-quality clinical research through robust cell manufacturing and international collaboration,” said Petter Hallman, Acting CEO at Cellcolabs. “Working with CNRM and CUHK allows us to support a clinically meaningful programme while strengthening the bridge between academic research and scalable therapeutic development.”

 

Ageing and osteoarthritis are both major worldwide health challenges. This partnership strives to advance standardised, high-quality MSC therapies and accelerate innovative regenerative treatments. Through a combination of Hong Kong’s research excellence and European expertise in advanced cell manufacturing, CNRM is excited to take part as a key contributor in broadening Hong Kong’s role as an international hub for biomedical innovation and cross-border technology transfer.

CUHK InnoHK CNRM and BGG sign MoU to validate patented technologies for evidence-based health products

CNRM has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Beijing Gingko Group (BGG) to establish a three-year collaboration aimed at introducing advanced biomedical validation technologies into dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals and personal care products. The MoU was signed by Professor Patrick Yung Shu-hang, JP, Director of CNRM, and Mr Li Chunhua, founder of BGG, and witnessed by the founder of Senelixir Biotech Ltd Professor Wang Huating and BGG Global CEO Mr Li Kun.

 

In a move to leverage CNRM’s multi-disciplinary expertise and commercial viability, this partnership represents not only the credibility of CNRM’s technologies, but also the success of evidence-based health solutions and establishing new industry standards for both practical and commercial applications of rigorous academic research.

 

“The partnership with BGG establishes a crucial industrial validation platform for CNRM’s patented technologies.” said Professor Yung, “By applying and testing those technologies in real-world product development, it not only achieves the leap from academic patents to recognised industry standards but also lays the groundwork for breakthrough advancements in verification technologies for nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals, aiming to set new innovative industry benchmarks for evidence-based health products.”

 

In this collaboration, CNRM will lead the scientific validation of high-value natural ingredients through extensive research and exploration into deep biological mechanisms, promoting the importance and wider adoption of evidence-based health solutions in both the local and international market.

 

BGG concurrently holds a contract research service agreement with CNRM’s spin-off company Senelixir Biotech Ltd, a collaborative effort in the development of supplements targeting another major global challenge in ageing, sarcopenia.

CNRM Seminar (6 November 2025)

Our center was pleased to organise a CNRM – SBS (CUHK) Joint Seminar titled “Biomaterials, 3D Co-Cultures and Medical Devices” on 6 November 2025. We are delighted to have Prof. Sarah Cartmell (The University of Manchester) to share her research topic.

Topic:

Biomaterials, 3D Co-Cultures and Medical Devices

 

Speaker:

Prof. Sarah Cartmell
Professor of Bioengineering,
The University of Manchester

 

Date:

6 November 2025 (Thursday)

 

Time:

11:00a.m. – 12:00p.m.

 

Venue:

Room G02, Lo Kwee-Seong Integrated Biomedical Sciences Building, Area 39, CUHK

CNRM Seminar (3 October 2025)

Our center was pleased to organise a CNRM – O&T (CUHK) Joint Seminar titled “Challenges in the Assessment of Pain in Osteoarthritis” on 3 October 2025. We are delighted to have Prof. David Hunter (University of Sydney) to share his research topic.

Topic:

Challenges in the Assessment of Pain in Osteoarthritis

 

Speaker:

Prof. David Hunter
Florance and Cope Chair of Rheumatology
Professor of Medicine
NHMRC Leadership Investigator Fellow
Sydney Musculoskeletal Health, Kolling Institute, University of Sydney
Rheumatology Department, Royal North Shore Hospital

Date:

3 October 2025 (Friday)

 

Time:

10:30a.m.

 

Venue:

Room 408, William M W Mong Engineering Building, CUHK

CNRM Seminar (29 July 2025)

Our center was pleased to organise a CNRM – O&T (CUHK) Joint Seminar titled “Engineering medical-grade bioabsorbable polymers for bone implant and medical beauty products” on 29 July 2025. We are delighted to have Prof. Yulin Li (East China University of Science and Technology) to share his research topic.

Topic:

Engineering medical-grade bioabsorbable polymers for bone implant and medical beauty products

 

Speaker:

Prof. Yulin Li
Professor of Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering,
East China University of Science and Technology, China

Date:

29 July 2025 (Tuesday)

 

Time:

11:00a.m. – 12:00p.m.

 

Venue:

Seminar Room, Orthopaedic Learning Centre (OLC), 1/F Li Ka Shing Specialist Clinics (North Wing), Prince of Wales Hospital

CNRM Seminar (24 July 2025)

Our center was pleased to organise a CNRM – BME (CUHK) Joint Seminar titled “New Paths and Potential Game Changers for the Future Osteoarthritis Management and Treatment” on 24 July 2025. We are delighted to have Prof. Ali Mobasheri (University of Oulu) to share his research topic.

Topic:

New Paths and Potential Game Changers for the Future Osteoarthritis Management and Treatment

 

Speaker:

Prof. Ali Mobasheri
Professor of Musculoskeletal Biology,
Research Unit of Health Sciences and Technology,
Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Finland

Date:

24 July 2025 (Thursday)

 

Time:

2:00p.m.

 

Venue:

Room 401, William M W Mong Engineering Building, CUHK

CNRM Seminar (9 May 2025)

Our center was pleased to organise a CNRM – BME (CUHK) Joint Seminar titled “Innovations in Joint-on-a-Chip and Multi-Organ Systems” on 9 May 2025. We are delighted to have Prof. Mario Rothbauer (Medical University of Vienna) to share his research topic.

Topic:

Innovations in Joint-on-a-Chip and Multi-Organ Systems

 

Speaker:

Prof. Mario Rothbauer
Leading Researcher,
Muscoloskeletal Bioengineering, Microphysiological Systems, and Non-Animal Testing Methodologies at Medical University of Vienna

Date:

9 May 2025 (Friday)

 

Time:

2:30p.m.

 

Venue:

ERB1122, William M W Mong Engineering, CUHK