Hangzhou, Zhejiang province-based cancer screening biotech company New Horizon Health has put into operation an international research and development center in Hong Kong as part of its stepped-up efforts to increase its presence in global markets.

The Hong Kong-listed company announced on Friday the completion and operation of the International R&D Center of New Horizon Health in Hong Kong Science Park, while also kicking off preparations for its cancer screening research institute.

With investment expected to total HK$100 million ($12.76 million) in the next five years, the international R&D center features a 7,000-square-feet high-throughput Next Generation Sequencing gene testing laboratory in accordance with the highest international standards.

It will focus on transforming cancer screening technology achievements into applications like developing product pipelines using NGS technology to promote overseas commercialization and globally synchronous clinical trials, the company said.

The screening institute will be the first scientific research organization in China that focuses on cutting-edge technological innovations in the early screening of cancer, and is committed to breakthroughs in the research and development of gene multi-dimensional genomics to accelerate the application and practice of screening technology.

Last year, the company established a strategic cooperation agreement with Hong Kong-based Prenetics Group Ltd to jointly promote the former's non-invasive stool-based test for colorectal cancer in the Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan regions, with additional options to expand the partnership into markets in Southeast Asia. 

liuzhihua@chinadaily.com.cn