The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) and Jean-Marie Pharmacal Co., Ltd. (JMP), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jacobson Pharma Corporation Limited, have announced that JMP's application for Government’s “New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme” (NIAS) is the first project to receive support from the “New Industrialisation Vetting Committee” (NIVC). The launch ceremony marking the initiation of this project took place at the new production facility in Tai Po InnoPark on Monday, February 24.
The NIAS initiative is part of a broader strategy outlined in the “Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint,” which aims to strengthen the local innovation and technology ecosystem. The HKSAR Government has established a New Industrialisation Development Office and launched a HK$10 billion funding scheme to support strategic industries such as life sciences, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing.
Officiating at the ceremony, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Sun Dong, underscored Government’s determination to accelerate Hong Kong's new industrialisation and enhance its development momentum. “The NIAS initiative encourages traditional manufacturing industries to upgrade and transform using innovative technologies. To date, over 100 new smart production lines have received funding,” he said.
As co-organiser, HKSTP Chairman Sunny Chai highlighted the organisation's commitment to fostering collaboration among business partners, investors, researchers, and technology companies during his address at the ceremony. “We will continue to promote collaboration among stakeholders while attracting top talent and high-potential enterprises to drive new industrialisation in alignment with the national direction of developing ‘new quality productive forces’,” Chai stated.
JMP is the first company in Hong Kong certified by the Pharmaceutical Inspection Cooperation Scheme (PIC/S) for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). The company plans to establish ten new smart pharmaceutical production lines, focusing on sterile eye drops, solid dosage forms, and oral liquid medicines.
The oral liquid production line will collaborate with a local university medical school to develop specialty drugs for leukemia treatment. By incorporating artificial intelligence, real-time data analytics, and robotics, JMP aims to enhance production efficiency and product quality.
The total estimated project cost is around HK$600 million of which the estimated NIAS funding is approximately HK$200 million. This facility, to be expanded to over 70,000 square feet, is expected to create around 200 jobs in research and development, quality assurance, and smart manufacturing, thereby contributing to Hong Kong’s industrial landscape.
“For the first production line, we hope to start trial production in 2026, with all production lines expected to be officially operational by 2028. We anticipate reaching break-even within two to three years following the full operation of all production lines,” said Derek Sum, Chairman and CEO of Jacobson Pharma.
Sum also expressed gratitude for the support received from the NIVC and HKSTP. He indicated that the NIAS approval will facilitate the project's development and reinforce Hong Kong’s capabilities in smart manufacturing with innovative technology.
The launch of the NIAS project represents a significant milestone in Hong Kong’s New Industrialisation efforts, reflecting a shift toward innovation-driven growth. As HKSTP continues to transform its industrial estates into InnoParks, it aims to bolster a conducive environment for research and development, commercialization, and collaboration among stakeholders.
