Replies to LegCo questions

LCQ4: Research and development of vaccines

Following is a question by the Hon Mrs Regina Ip and an oral reply by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, in the Legislative Council today (December 16):

Question:

It has been reported that Influenza A (H1N1) vaccine is in great demand as the epidemic continues to spread. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported a shortage of the vaccine. Some experts have pointed out that being at the forefront of research into the epidemiology of influenza viruses, Hong Kong may have favourable conditions for developing the vaccine industry, which could contribute to the local public health system, promote the development of a research-based and innovation-driven economy, create high-end employment opportunities, and meet the vaccine needs of the Mainland and neighbouring Asian countries. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) whether it had launched or supported any technological initiative in the past five years to facilitate vaccine research and developing the vaccine industry; if so, of the details and its assessment of the effectiveness of such initiatives; and

(b) given that "innovation and technology" and "medical services" are among the six economic areas where Hong Kong enjoys clear advantages identified by the Government for further development, whether the Government will include the vaccine industry as one of the industries to be further developed, and take measures to promote the development of the vaccine industry and related research and development activities; if so, of the resources to be deployed and other measures to support such development?

Reply:

President,

All along, various government bureaux and departments have been actively promoting the development of biotechnology, including research and development of vaccines. Our current efforts in promoting the development of local biotechnology sector mainly include funding of scientific research projects, provision of suitable supporting facilities and strengthening cooperation between Hong Kong and the Mainland in the research and development of vaccines. Details are set out below.

(a) Funding scientific research projects

On scientific research, the Government provides funding support to various institutions and organisations through different channels for conducting research on biotechnology and infectious diseases. Take the Innovation and Technology Fund as an example, since its inception in 1999 until September 30, 2009, it has provided funding of over $300 million for more than 150 applied research projects in biotechnology-related fields, including the research and development and production techniques for vaccines. In addition, the Research Grants Council under the University Grants Committee (UGC) has provided funding support to 12 applications for conducting research on epidemiology and vaccines in the past five years, involving a total of over $11 million. The Areas of Excellence Scheme under the UGC has also allocated a total of $76 million to local universities in the 2007-08 academic year for conducting a research project on the Control of Pandemic and Inter-Pandemic Influenza. The project aims to explore new ways of treatment and develop new vaccines for the effective control of pandemic influenza. In addition, the Research Fund for the Control of Infectious Diseases administered by the Food and Health Bureau has, since its inception in 2003, provided over $316 million for funding more than 400 research projects relevant to the prevention, treatment and control of infectious diseases. Some of the projects also included vaccine research.

(b) Supporting Facilities

On hardware, according to the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) has over the years provided funding support to the Hong Kong Institute of Biotechnology (HKIB) for setting up its biologics manufacturing centre. The centre offers universities and biotechnology enterprises services including the processing of various biological products (including vaccines), manufacturing of products up to demonstration batch and commissioned research, hence providing support from fundamental research to clinical research for biological products.

The Hong Kong Science Park Biotech Centre was open in April this year to facilitate the development of local biotechnology industry. The Centre provides sites, advanced instruments and laboratory facilities for shared use by the biotechnology research companies in the Science Park. The Life Science Acceleration Programme launched by the Science Park also provides funds for incubatees to conduct research and acquire laboratory equipment.

(c) Promoting exchanges on research and development of vaccines between Hong Kong and the Mainland

Apart from actively promoting local biotechnology development, we have also looked into the feasibility of conducting research and development of vaccines in collaboration with the Mainland. As a matter of fact, Hong Kong has a pool of experts in the field of influenza virus research, while the Mainland owns quality vaccine producing enterprises, abundant manpower and land resources. The two places complement each other with their own competitive edges. As such, we are now actively exploring the option that Hong Kong will provide research information and analysis on influenza whereas the vaccine manufacturers in the Mainland will take up vaccine production. This will not only pool together the resources of both sides to achieve complementary advantages on the research and development and production of vaccines, but will also provide a favourable environment for innovation to facilitate more in-depth and diversified exchanges and cooperation between scientific research talents in the Mainland and Hong Kong.

To this end, we signed the Co-operation Arrangement on Joint Research and Development of Pharmaceutical Products (Vaccine) with the Guangdong Food and Drug Administration at the 12th Plenary of the Hong Kong/Guangdong Co-operation Joint Conference held on August 19, 2009. We are now working out the details with the Mainland authority, with a view to fostering collaboration in the research and development and production of vaccines so as to jointly prevent the outbreak of pandemic influenza and safeguard the health and welfare of the people of both sides.

(d) Facilitating foreign enterprises to develop and produce vaccine in Hong Kong

We welcome overseas vaccine manufacturers to engage in the research and development as well as production of vaccines in Hong Kong. We will do our utmost to provide them with appropriate support and assistance. We have been in contact with some vaccine manufacturers to discuss the setting up of vaccine manufacturing facilities in Hong Kong.

President, the Government will continue to facilitate the development of local vaccine industry through the programmes and measures mentioned above.


Ends/Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Issued at HKT 14:56

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