Hong Kong is at a critical moment in its innovation and technology development. The government has invested over HK$30 billion to drive this growth, and The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has achieved remarkable results in research translation.
This seminar is honored to feature Professor Allen Chan, Associate Vice-President (Knowledge Transfer) at CUHK, and Professor Benny Zee, Director of CUHK's Knowledge Transfer Office. Drawing on their extensive practical experience in industry–academia–research collaboration, knowledge transfer, and entrepreneurship promotion, the two speakers will share cutting-edge insights—from patent strategy to international commercialization, from Greater Bay Area integration to emerging technology investment.
The discussion will delve into innovative models for cross-disciplinary collaboration, as well as the crucial role of intellectual property management in today’s innovation and technology landscape. The event will not only strengthen connections between alumni and industry, but also open opportunities for deeper engagement with CUHK’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. We warmly welcome those who are passionate about innovation and research commercialization to seize this opportunity and explore the limitless possibilities of industry–academia–research cooperation.
Date: Friday, 5 September 2025
Time: 5:30–7:00 PM (Reception from 5:00 PM)
Venue: UGA, InnoPort, CUHK (2-minute walk from Exit A, University MTR Station)
Speakers:
Professor Allen Chan – Associate Vice-President (Knowledge Transfer), CUHK
Prof. Chan was appointed Associate Vice-President (Knowledge Transfer) in April 2025. Prof. Chan completed his undergraduate medical training at the University of Hong Kong and obtained his PhD at the CUHK Department of Chemical Pathology, under the mentorship of Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming. His main research interest focuses on the development of innovative diagnostic approaches based on circulating DNA analysis. The applications of his inventions cover non-invasive prenatal testing, cancer diagnostics, organ transplant and autoimmune diseases monitoring.
Beyond academia, Prof. Chan is a seasoned entrepreneur. He co-founded several biotechnology companies with Prof. Dennis Lo and Rossa Chiu, including Cirina, which merged with GRAIL and was subsequently acquired by Illumina for over USD 8 billion. Prof. Chan’s work continues to bridge the gap between scientific innovation and real-world applications, making a profound impact on global healthcare.
Professor Benny Zee – Director, Knowledge Transfer Office, CUHK
Prof. Zee studied actuarial science and statistics in Canada, then earned his PhD in Biostatistics at the University of Pittsburgh. He joined CUHK in 2001. A true “scholar-entrepreneur,” in 2015 he co-founded Ophthalmo Analytics Ltd., which brought the Automated Retinal Image Analysis (ARIA) program to market—a technology that assesses cardiovascular risk by analyzing retinal blood vessels. It has successfully secured patents in the US, Mainland China, and Taiwan. As Director of the Knowledge Transfer Office, he actively promotes CUHK's “Dare to Innovate” culture, leading his team to push forward the industrialization of research outcomes.
Moderator:
Ms. Leona Wong – CUHK alumna, founder of a start-up PR consulting firm
Leona graduated from the School of Journalism and Communication at CUHK. Leona began her career in journalism as a Deputy Leader Writer at the Hong Kong Economic Times, a major financial paper in Hong Kong. She formerly served as the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association. During her time in the media, she began exploring Hong Kong’s tech and internet start-up scene, publishing popular articles in newspapers and on her blog.
Language: Cantonese
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