HKGI Partners with Global Leaders to Chart a Course for Healthcare Transformation

HONG KONG, Feb. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Genomic medicine has been gaining global prominence for its vast potential to revolutionise healthcare services. In the case of rare conditions, genomic medicine has been particularly transformative, as approximately 80% of rare diseases are of genetic origin. Genomic medicine has the power to facilitate diagnosis and access to curative and life-changing treatments for people living with these rare conditions. Now, Hong Kong is set to partner with world-renowned authorities to drive exchanges dedicated to this burgeoning field, taking advantage of the city's unique strengths in medical research and development.

The Hong Kong Genome Institute (HKGI), Rare Diseases International (RDI), and The Lancet Commission on Rare Diseases (LCRD) will join forces for the first time to organise the International Genomic Medicine Symposium (Symposium) on 17 November 2025 (Monday) at the Hong Kong Science Park. This landmark event will convene distinguished experts, clinicians and scientists from over 20 countries and regions to foster knowledge exchanges in genomic medicine and rare diseases, representing a significant collaboration among leading institutions committed to accelerating the development of genomic medicine on a global scale and providing an unparalleled opportunity to improve outcomes for the 300 million persons living with a rare disease worldwide.

The Symposium, focusing on the latest advancements and trends in genomic medicine, features a robust lineup of local and international experts in genetics and genomics, including Dr Chloe Wilson, Senior Medical Editor of The Lancet, one of the world's most authoritative academic journals. This diverse group of experts is poised to exchange insights on a wide range of topics – from rare diseases to cancer detection and molecular diagnoses; from genomic data sharing to legal and ethical discussions; and from artificial intelligence (AI) to healthcare record management and scientific research.

The Opening Ceremony will be officiated by Professor Lo Chung-mau, Secretary for Health of the Hong Kong SAR Government. Setting the stage, Professor Lo will deliver a keynote address, laying the groundwork for a deep dive into genomic innovations and clinical applications. Dr Lo Su-vui, Chief Executive Officer of HKGI, and Alexandra Heumber Perry, Chief Executive Officer of RDI, will also join the Opening Ceremony to unveil the event.

Highlights of esteemed speakers include:

• Professor Dennis Lo, Vice-Chancellor and President of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, as well as Board Member of HKGI, will discuss cutting-edge applications of plasma DNA analysis.
• Dr Brian Chung, Chief Medical and Scientific Officer of HKGI, will share the journey of implementing Hong Kong Genome Project, the city's first large-scale whole genome sequencing (WGS) initiative aimed at propelling personalised medicine forward.
• Professor Zhang Shuyang, President of the Peking Union Medical College Hospital and pioneer in Mainland China's rare diseases programmes, will introduce respective models covering teaching, service and research.
• Professor Kym Boycott from the University of Ottawa (Canada) will focus on molecular pathogenesis of rare diseases that improve patient care and family well-being.
• Professor Roberto Giugliani from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil) and a leading researcher in Latin American genetics, will share his perspectives on metabolic disorders.
• Professor Bartha Maria Knoppers from McGill University (Canada) and an expert in genomics and biotechnology ethics, will discuss legal topics arising from genomic data sharing.
• Professor Gareth Baynam from the Perth Children's Hospital (Australia), and Professor Yong Chen from the University of Pennsylvania (USA) will also offer insights on harnessing the latest technologies such as AI for clinical and healthcare records to inspire innovation.

Dr Lo Su-vui, Chief Executive Officer of HKGI said, "We are greatly honoured and excited to partner with RDI and LCRD, two world-leading institutions that share our vision of making genomic medicine available to all for better health and well-being. This Symposium, rich in depth and scope, marks a pivotal milestone in advancing genomic medicine through international collaborations. By bringing together global experts and showcasing Hong Kong's capabilities in genomic research and clinical applications, we are not only reaffirming our commitment to integrating genomics into routine patient care and inspiring ground-breaking research, but also contributing to Hong Kong's development as an International Health and Medical Innovation Hub."

Alexandra Heumber Perry, Chief Executive Officer of RDI added, "We are thrilled to partner with the Hong Kong Genome Institute on this important initiative to advance research on rare diseases and improve outcomes for Persons Living with Rare Diseases (PLWRD) around the world. This Symposium, which will bring together leading experts from more than 20 countries and regions, demonstrates our joint commitment to placing PLWRD at the centre of their own care, and to promoting health equity, human rights and access to treatment for PLWRD. Through the shared dedication and expertise of the experts from the RDI-LCRD and HKGI, we will work to ensure that PLWRD are seen, heard and cared for, no matter where they live."

The one-day Symposium is anticipated to attract close to 300 participants. For programme details, please refer to the Appendix. Following the Symposium, the annual LCRD Meeting will be held on 18-19 November 2025, which will further strengthen international cooperations in research and development of genomic medicine and rare diseases.