Hong Kong Genome Institute and Global Leaders Co-organise Landmark Healthcare Event “International Genomic Medicine Symposium”

HONG KONG SAR –
Media OutReach Newswire – 25 June 2025 – Genomic medicine is one of the most promising fields in today’s healthcare landscape, enabling precise diagnoses, personalised treatment plans, and breakthroughs in drug development that bring new hope to patients around the world. The
Hong Kong Genome Institute (HKGI) will join forces with world-renowned authorities to host the
International Genomic Medicine Symposium (Symposium) on 17 November 2025 (Monday). This landmark event will highlight Hong Kong’s unique strengths in fostering exchange and cooperation with experts worldwide in medical research and innovation, and accelerate the application of genomic medicine to pave the way for a healthier future for all.

The Symposium marks HKGI’s first collaboration with
Rare Diseases International (RDI) and
The
Lancet Commission on Rare Diseases (LCRD)
, which is jointly led by RDI and
The Lancet, the world’s most influential medical journal. The event will welcome local and international genomics leaders from over 20 countries and regions, including clinicians, scientists, and researchers from Mainland China, Europe, North and South America, and Australia.

Distinguished speakers at the Symposium will focus on key global topics such as clinical genetics, rare diseases, genomic medicine, AI, data sharing, as well as ethical and legal matters involved, facilitating in-depth discussions on the latest groundbreaking research and clinical insights. Specifically, thematic sessions will be dedicated to experience sharing by experts from Mainland China and Hong Kong. By showcasing case studies from the Hong Kong Genome Project, these exchanges will help demonstrate practical applications of personalised medicine in managing common disorders such as cardiomyopathy and kidney disease. Developments in rare diseases in Mainland China and drug development opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area will also be covered, opening doors of opportunity for regional collaboration and innovation.

Dr Lo Su-vui, Chief Executive Officer of HKGI said, “With the strong support from the Health Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR Government, HKGI has been working closely with the Department of Health, Hospital Authority, medical schools of local universities and various stakeholders to accelerate the development of genomic medicine in Hong Kong. In just a few years, the Institute has achieved significant milestones in medical research, clinical applications, and international collaborations. We have successfully recruited over 47,000 participants for the Hong Kong Genome Project, continuously expanding our genome database featuring the Southern Chinese population. We have also accumulated clinical application cases and established synergistic collaborative research platforms. These achievements highlight Hong Kong’s strong capabilities and advantages in genomic medicine, laying a solid foundation for further collaboration with internationally recognised authorities.”

Dr Lo continued, “We are greatly honoured to partner with RDI and LCRD to organise this prestigious global event. Genomic medicine is the future of medicine with wide-ranging applications, spanning from common to rare diseases, from clinical diagnosis and personalised treatment to disease prevention and health management. This Symposium will undoubtedly serve as a critical platform for healthcare experts, academics, and researchers from around the world to exchange knowledge, fostering collaboration, and driving medical innovation, ultimately bringing immense benefits to patients in Hong Kong, Asia and beyond.”

The one-day Symposium is expected to attract nearly 300 industry professionals. Following the Symposium, the LCRD will hold its annual meeting in Hong Kong on 18-19 November to further discuss insights and deepen cross-regional collaboration. This will be the first time for the LCRD to host its annual meeting in Asia, highlighting Hong Kong’s distinctive position in leading international medical innovation.

For information about the Symposium programme and speakers, please refer to the appendix. For enquiries about the Symposium, please contact

HKGI (symposium@genomics.org.hk) or RDI-LCRD (lcrd@rarediseasesint.org).

Rundown

International Genomic Medicine Symposium

17 November 2025, Hong Kong

Charles K. Kao Auditorium, Hong Kong Science Park

Time
Programme
Speaker
09:00
Keynote
Prof Lo Chung-mau, BBS, JP

Secretary for Health

Hong Kong SAR Government,

Hong Kong, China
09:15
Opening Ceremony
Panel 1
Session Chairperson:
Dr Ronald Lam, JP

Director of Health

Hong Kong SAR Government,

Hong Kong, China
09:30
Developing Rare Disease Models in China: Service, Teaching and Research
Prof Zhang Shuyang

President

Peking Union Medical College Hospital, China
10:00
Unraveling Molecular Pathogeneses to Enhance Patient Care and Family Well-being
Prof Kym Boycott

Co-Chair

Lancet Commission on Rare Diseases

Professor of Pediatrics

University of Ottawa, Canada
10:30
Panel Discussion
Panel 2
Session Chairperson:
Dr Libby Lee, JP

Under Secretary for Health

Hong Kong SAR Government,

Hong Kong, China
11:15
Insights into Rare Diseases:

Focus on Inborn Errors of Metabolism
Prof Roberto Giugliani

Co-Chair

Lancet Commission on Rare Diseases

Professor of Genetics

Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
11:45
Hong Kong Genome Project Case Sharing (1) – Unlocking the Genomics of Cardiomyopathy: A New Era in Heart Health
Dr Derek Lee

Hong Kong College of Physicians –

Hong Kong Genome Institute Scholar

Hong Kong, China
12:00
Hong Kong Genome Project Case Sharing (2) – Precision Medicine in Nephrology
Dr Becky Ma

Hong Kong Academy of Medicine –

Hong Kong Genome Institute Scholar

Hong Kong, China
12:15
Panel Discussion
12:30
Lunch
Panel 3
Session Chairperson:
Prof Philip Chiu

Dean of Medicine

The Chinese University of Hong Kong,

Hong Kong, China
14:00
Revolutionising Plasma DNA Analysis in Transforming Non-invasive Testing and Cancer Detection
Prof Dennis Lo, SBS, JP

Vice-Chancellor and President

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Board Member

Hong Kong Genome Institute

Hong Kong, China
14:30
Publishing at
The Lancet

Dr Chloe Wilson

Senior Medical Editor

The Lancet
15:00
Panel Discussion
Panel 4
Session Chairperson:
Prof Lau Chak-sing, BBS, JP

Vice-President & Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health)

Dean of Medicine

The University of Hong Kong

Board Member

Hong Kong Genome Institute

Hong Kong, China
15:35
AI in Action:

The Journey from Clinical Record to Personalised Treatment
Prof Gareth Baynam

Medical Director

Rare Care Centre

Perth Children’s Hospital, Australia
16:05
Harnessing the Power of Electronic Healthcare Records in Scientific Research and Innovation in Genomic Medicine
Prof Yong Chen

Professor of Biostatistics

University of Pennsylvania, USA
16:35
Panel Discussion
Panel 5
Session Chairperson:
To be confirmed

16:50
The Health Rights of Children and
Genomic Newborn Screening
Prof Bartha Knoppers

Director

Centre of Genomics and Policy

McGill University, Canada
17:20
Hong Kong Genome Project:

Advancing the Genomics Frontier
Dr Brian Chung

Chief Medical and Scientific Officer

Hong Kong Genome Institute,

Hong Kong, China
17:40
Genomics as a Catalyst for

Drug Development in the Greater Bay Area
Prof Aya El Helali

Clinical Assistant Professor

Department of Clinical Oncology,

School of Clinical Medicine,

The Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong,

Hong Kong, China
18:00
Panel Discussion
18:15
End of Symposium

(Last updated on 25 June 2025)

Enquiry

Hong Kong Genome Institute

Website: www.hkgp.org

Email: symposium@genomics.org.hk

Rare Disease International

Website: www.rarediseasesinternational.org

Email: lcrd@rarediseasesint.org

Hashtag: #HongKongGenomeInstitute

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