Ricky Chiu Yin-to, founder and CEO of Phase Scientific International, talks to China Daily at his Kwun Tong-based company. (LI XIANG / CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG – Hong Kong innovator and entrepreneur Ricky Chiu Yin-to is among the 20 finalists of the 2022 JCI Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World, becoming the only Hong Kong representative in this year's program organized by the non-profit Junior Chamber International.

Born in Hong Kong and trained in the US, Chiu was last year named in the Ten Outstanding Young Persons selection organized by Junior Chamber International Hong Kong. 

The COVID-19 rapid antigen test developed by Chiu's company was granted emergency use authorization by the US Food and Drug Administration last year, becoming the first such testing kit in the Greater China region to be approved by the US health regulator

As an adjunct associate professor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong’s School of Biomedical Sciences and also CEO and founder of biotech company Phase Scientific, Chiu was among the few entrepreneurs that have received recognition in both the East and West. 

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The Indicaid COVID-19 rapid antigen test developed by Phase Scientific was granted emergency use authorization by the US Food and Drug Administration last year, becoming the first such testing kit in the Greater China region to be approved by the US health regulator.

A more efficient RNA-extraction technology developed by his team has gained recognition by the nation’s Ministry of Science and Technology.

Chiu has also received funding from world-renowned institutions such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

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Ricky Chiu Yin-to (center, in blue suit) poses for a photo with Phase Scientific International’s research and development team. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

The JCI Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World program honors 10 outstanding young people under the age of 40 each year. 

Hong Kong people honored by the program included singers Jacky Cheung Hok-yau and Kelly Chen Wai-Lam, actor Andy Lau Tak-wah, and Regal Hotels group heiress Poman Lo.

Junior Chamber International has opened online voting for the 10 honorees until 11:59 GMT on Sept 19.