Hong Kong Genome Institute 香港基因組中心

(Hong Kong, 19 October 2022) The Hong Kong Genome Institute (HKGI) welcomes the 2022 Policy Address delivered today by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, which sets out a series of initiatives on a Healthy and Vibrant Hong Kong. Along this subject, the Policy Address also reaffirms HKGI’s active role and effort in helping to address uncommon disorders.

Dr Lo Su-vui, Chief Executive Officer of HKGI, said, “HKGI launched the Hong Kong Genome Project (HKGP) in 2021. Being the first-of-its-kind initiative in the city, HKGP covers patients and their family members of undiagnosed diseases, hereditary cancers, and diseases related to genomics and precision health. By applying the whole genome sequencing technology, we are committed to helping participants look for the potential disease-causing genetic variants, bringing to them more precise diagnosis and personalised treatments with their consent. HKGP also contributes to the building of a genome database of the local population, testing infrastructure and talent pool, all of which will help strengthen disease surveillance and prevention, and advance the health of the general population in the long run.”

Dr Lo added, "Given the uncommon nature of the disorders, international collaborations and experience sharing are of the utmost importance. At HKGI, we have been proactively establishing connections and exchange platforms with counterparts near and far, including cities in the Greater Bay Area. For instance, we have engaged with The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital for case discussion and sharing of clinical experience on undiagnosed diseases as well as paediatric cancer genomics and multi-omics studies. With more cross-region collaborations in the pipeline, we are devoted to driving medical and scientific research, and accelerating the development of genomic medicine to benefit more patients.”

With the unstinting support from the Hong Kong SAR Government, HKGI will continue to work in close partnership with the Hospital Authority, the medical schools of the two local universities and various stakeholders to accelerate the integration of genomics into medicine towards its vision “to avail genomic medicine to all for better health and well-being”.