The first international clinical trial center in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area will be set up in Guangzhou’s Nansha district, aiming to strengthen cross-boundary clinical research, accelerate the development of innovative medicines and medical technologies, and enhance healthcare collaboration across the region.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Nansha district government and Guangzhou First People's Hospital signed an agreement on Wednesday to jointly establish the CUHK Greater Bay Area Clinical Trial Center (Guangzhou Nansha).

“The center will serve as a key strategic platform for advancing clinical research collaboration and innovation in the Greater Bay Area, and also a new frontier and benchmark for Guangzhou-Hong Kong cooperation,” said Leung Chun-ying, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.

Leung said the center highlights the complementary strengths of Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland in medical research. He said he hoped that the three partners would deepen cross-boundary cooperation, facilitate the flow of medical resources, and promote high-quality development of the healthcare sector.

The launch comes as Guangdong and Hong Kong continue to deepen healthcare cooperation under the “Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area”.

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Located at Guangzhou First People's Hospital Nansha Hospital, the center will conduct clinical research on pharmaceuticals and medical devices in accordance with national regulations and international standards.

It will also support multicenter and cross-boundary clinical studies while providing a platform for talent training, academic exchange, and the translation of research outcomes into clinical practice.

Among the center's first research projects is the clinical validation of AI-powered radiation-free screening technology for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (curvature of the spine) developed by CUHK. Combining radiation-free 3D body surface imaging with artificial intelligence, the technology automatically analyzes back surface images to assess spinal deformities, offering a safer and more accessible alternative to conventional X-ray screening.

Another key project is a Phase I clinical trial of allogeneic mesenchymal — that is, provided by a healthy donor — stem cell therapy for knee osteoarthritis, to be carried out jointly by CUHK and Guangzhou First People's Hospital Nansha Hospital.

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A Greater Bay Area musculoskeletal rehabilitation center was also inaugurated on Wednesday, which will introduce Hong Kong’s evidence-based rehabilitation model while promoting precision rehabilitation, clinical research and professional training.

Chen Yanshan contributed to this story.

Contact the writer at sally@chinadailyhk.com