Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair is one of the most influential B-to-B medical trade fairs in the Asia-Pacific region. As technologies continue to evolve, the Hong Kong International Medical Devices and Supplies Fair is a timely event and a premier sourcing platform for advanced technology, equipment and services in the global medical and healthcare industry. The Fair is a great chance to connect with the leading medical suppliers, thought leaders and experts dedicated to advancing the golden age of the industry.
With global health spending continuing to climb, it is expected that medical and healthcare spending as a proportion of overall household expenditure will rise in tandem. This signifies enormous growth potential for the medical devices and supplies industry. Catering to this trend, the Medical Fair offers an important business and sourcing platform for industry players to showcase the latest medical equipment, technologies and related services.
The fair provides fruitful source of products and services for the healthcare sector, serving increased demand driven by epidemic and an ageing population. Asia’s premier medical fair, organised by the HKTDC and held at the HKCEC, the Hong Kong International Medical Devices and Supplies Fair offers a wide range of latest medical devices and supplies, including hospital equipments, household medical products, rehabilitation and elderly care, labortaory equipment and medical disposables, brings product developers and businesses together in this booming market.
The vibrant business platform to meet major distributors and agents who have sales channels not only in Hong Kong but also throughout the Asia-Pacific region, help to explore award-winning products and futuristic medtech, pursue business opportunities and make valuable connections.
The 10th edition Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair (Medical Fair) take place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from 14 to 16 May 2019. Co-organised by the Hong Kong Medical and Healthcare Device Industries Association (HKMHDIA), the fair gather over 280 exhibitors from 10 countries and regions, showcasing the latest medical devices and technologies, medical supplies as well as healthcare products.
The fair feature specialist zones to facilitate buyers’ sourcing needs. Ageing populations and increased health awareness continue to boost the demands for medical products. The World of Health & Wellness presents lifestyle, cosmetology and fitness products, as well as functional foods and health supplements. A Hong Kong exhibitor will showcase a shampoo machine which is specially designed to bath and wash hair in any places. Water will not spill out and users can just sit or lay down on the bed for a thorough cleaning.
The medical devices and supplies market presents enormous growth potential. To help industry players capitalise on the opportunities, this year’s Medical Fair spotlights home-grown cutting-edge biotechnology applications and an array of smart home healthcare equipment and wearable medical devices. The fair offers an important business and sourcing platform to companies in the medical and healthcare industry.
Highlights
One major trend in medical technology is to replace bulky medical equipment with advanced portable devices that enable quick testing or preliminary self-assessment, overcoming any geographical limitations. Several user-friendly technologies and devices were displayed at the press conference, including a portable radiation-free scoliosis assessment system, an ultrasound diagnostic system for osteoporosis and an ultra-wide field smartphone ophthalmoscope that can detect retinal problems using a smartphone attachment.
Also spotlighted at the press conference was Hong Kong’s first medical implant company that uses customised metal 3D-printing technology to create patient-specific implants. The company showcased its durable, bio-compatible and bio-conductive 3D-printed metal talus implants that are customised according to the patient’s bone density and size. The company won a merit prize at the Hong Kong ICT Awards 2018 for this technology and is now an official supplier of metal taluses for the Hospital Authority in Hong Kong.
Biotechnology zone
Biotechnology is one of the four areas of strength identified by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government in the 2018-19 Budget to bolster innovation and technology in Hong Kong.
Promoting the development of biotechnology in Hong Kong, the fair further grasps the opportunities for the Asia Pacific region to become the world’s second largest medtech market. In response to the latest market trends, Medical Fair gathers biotechnology-related exhibitors, to present the latest biotechnology products and services, including vaccine research and development, allergy tests, and genetically engineered drugs.
Exhibits highlighted at press conference included an array-based LED-induced fluorescence immunoassay platform developed by a local biotechnology company. The device requires just one drop of blood or saliva to perform an end-to-end in vitro diagnosis in just 15 minutes. It can detect problems such as infectious diseases and heart disease and can drastically reduce the turnaround time compared to conventional tests where samples need to be taken to a laboratory.
In addition, on 14 May, a seminar entitled “Biomedical Technologies that are Changing Healthcare” feature speakers from several biotechnology companies from the Hong Kong Science Park who share their latest developments and discuss how biotechnology companies can commercialise their innovations.
Hong Kong’s biotechnology industry is booming, with some local companies winning international awards for their research and development. One of the highlights of this year’s Medical Fair was today’s seminar, “Biomedical Technologies that are Changing Healthcare”, at which Simon Sze, Associate Director of the Biomedical Technology Cluster at the Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), shared his insights into promoting the commercialisation of biomedical technology.
The seminar also featured innovations from three biotechnology companies fostered by the HKSTP, including an automatic retinal image analysis device to detect the risk of age-related white matter hyperintensities, which are linked to dementia and cognitive decline, provided at a low cost and without the need for a MRI scan (Booth: 3F-G04); a portable immune system diagnostic platform to detect various diseases with just a drop of blood or saliva (Booth: 3F-G20);
A portable radiation-free scoliosis assessment system that uses 3D ultrasound imaging technology (Booth: 3F-G04). These home-grown biomedical technologies have been certified internationally and are now being adopted by opticians and public hospitals in Hong Kong, with some already penetrating Mainland China and overseas markets.
In addition, a newly launched Biotechnology zone has assembled a broad range of biomedical companies from Hong Kong and Korea to showcase applications for diagnosis and healthcare. Exhibits include a fluorescent indicator that is useful for detecting stomach and colon cancer (Booth: 3F-F14).
Rehabilitation and Elderly Care zone
An ageing global population and a general increase in health awareness are stimulating the development of the medical and healthcare equipment industry. The Medical Fair has gathered an assortment of smart home healthcare equipment and wearable medical devices, including a monitoring kit that can detect a fall in a person with reduced mobility within 300 metres (Booth: 3F-E22) and a wristband tag that alerts caregivers when patients wander from their homes (Booth: 3F-F21).
The Rehabilitation and Elderly Care zone showcases products and services tailored to elderly care and rehabilitation. A Hong Kong exhibitor has developed a wandering prevention system, which will notify the caregiver or family member immediately if the elderly with dementia run away from home unexpectedly. This helps ease the pressure on family members or caregivers.
The zone also hosts exhibitors serving not only the silver market but also the younger market prone to sports injuries, including mobility aids like wheel chairs, orthopaedic equipment, monitoring devices, and more.
Medical Supplies and Disposables zone
The Medical Supplies and Disposals zone presents unparalleled opportunities for sourcing the latest medical-related equipment for hospitals, clinics, care homes, and diagnostic centres. The zone provides such medical supplies as antiseptics, alcohol and medical gloves.
A Hong Kong exhibitor bring along an nanotechnology air freshener dispensing system which propels fragrance particles only one micron in size and will stay airborne up to two hours; while the Hospital Equipment zone gathers ultrasound, other imaging equipment, anesthetic equipment and surgical instruments.
A medical refrigerator monitoring system will be showcased in the zone. It is specially designed for pharmaceutical companies, pharmacies, hospitals, laboratories, and surgical rooms, where the user need to store temperature-sensitive goods. Users can view data and monitor refrigerator’s temperature anytime and anywhere through smart phones.
Tech Exchange zone
The Tech Exchange zone gathers a number of higher education institutions, displaying their latest innovations. It offers matching opportunities for buyers and exhibitors to transform concepts to be applicable.
World of Health & Wellness
People across the world are taking greater responsibility for their health than ever before. The World of Health & Wellness presents leading fitness products, functional food and beverages, health supplements and related services.
Among the sectors of World of Health & Wellness, presenting an array of products designed to promote well-being and healthy living, including homecare equipment, smart hi-tech gadgets, services, as well as functional food and health supplements.
An ageing global population and a general increase in health awareness are driving the demand for healthy living and lifestyle. The World of Health & Wellness showcases an array of fitness products, functional food and beverages, as well as health supplements.
Hospital Equipment zone
The Hospital Equipment is a fascinating look at life-saving equipment and crucial tools on the front lines of medicine. Take an in-depth look into specialist technology for diagnostic and surgical procedures, first aid and emergency equipment, top-of-the-line instruments, medical supplies and other important clinical tools.
The Building Technology and Hospital Furniture zone presents hospital construction and design, as well as security systems and medical beddings.
Hong Kong Medical and Healthcare Device Industries Association Pavilion
The Hong Kong medical devices industry has advanced over the years and the HKMHDIA pavilion brought together 55 leading Hong Kong suppliers to present quality products and technologies.
Chinese Taiwan Pavilion
Taiwan’s medical and health-related industries are growing strongly and moving up the value chain. Exhibitors in the fair’s Taiwan pavilion present a range of quality medical and health-related products, such as health supplements, smart health and wellness devices for babies, elderly and caregivers.
Startup Zones
To help start-ups gain exposure and meet potential investors, the fair once again featured the Startup zone, where cutting-edge medical products and ideas was presented by start-ups. Continuing the HKTDC’s commitment to supporting start-ups, the Startup zone at this year’s fair will be expanded to showcase 21 startups and their innovative solutions.
Products on display include a Wi-Fi Clock that automatically synchronises with the atomic clock of the Hong Kong Observatory and is already being used by the Hospital Authority at its hospitals. Also on display a portable blood sugar monitor that does not require finger pricks, and a palm-sized, portable smart assistant for CPR. The new Korea start-up pavilion, meanwhile, feature some of that country’s latest medical technologies.
Seminar
A series of seminars was held during the fair, including one covering the “Outlook of the Medical and Healthcare Industry and Latest Medtech Innovations” on 14 May. A representative from China Medical Devices Magazine examine the latest developments in the mainland’s medical industry, while representatives from Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong will share their research findings.
On 15 May, a seminar titled “Australia Medtech Knowledge Hub – Progression of Sensing Technique for Medical Diagnosis” will feature academics and medical professionals from Australia as speakers.
Another signature event of the Asia-Pacific medical industry, the Hospital Authority Convention 2019, was held concurrently at the HKCEC during 14 and 15 May of the Medical Fair to generate synergy. More than 5,000 medical professionals are expected to attend the event, and nearly 90 overseas and local medical experts share their professional insights and experiences on a host of subjects in more than 50 thematic sessions.
HKTDC
Established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body dedicated to creating opportunities for Hong Kong’s businesses. With more than 40 offices globally, including 13 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China, Asia and the world. With 50 years of experience, the HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to provide companies, particularly SMEs, with business opportunities on the mainland and in international markets, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and digital channels including the media room.