CELLmeric, a spinoff from The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), has developed a groundbreaking innovation that could cut the cost of cell therapies for cancer by 80%, reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as a hub for biotech innovations with global impact.
Developed from the research of CUHK Associate Professor Patrick Ming-kuen Tang, CELLmeric’s patented virus-free gene delivery platform overcomes the safety risks, high costs, and manufacturing complexity associated with conventional methods.
Importantly, the new process dramatically reduces the cost of producing T-cells for cancer treatment from HK$2.5 million per therapy to just half a million dollars, according to the researcher.
In recognition of this potentially life-saving breakthrough, CELLmeric won the Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s Start-up Express 2025 business support programme, which helps SMEs build brand awareness, find investors and expand into international markets.
Opening door to mass cancer treatment
Cancer is a major health concern in Hong Kong, with an average of 97 new diagnoses daily, according to 2022 figures.
The five most frequently diagnosed cancers – lung, breast, colorectal, prostate, and liver – together account for over half of new cases. More than two-thirds of patients are aged 60 or above.
CELLmeric’s technology radically improves the clinical safety of cancer treatment.
In the conventional approach, T-cells taken from the patient’s blood are engineered to express special proteins – called chimeric antigen receptors or CARs – that help them detect the cancer cells. The modified T-cells (named CAR-T cells) are multiplied and then injected back into the patient to destroy cancer cells.
This manufacturing process is highly complicated as it relies on using viruses as part of the process. Viruses may trigger unpredictable mutations in the engineered T-cells, which increases the risk of CAR-T cell therapy and adds to assurance costs. To avoid this, some therapies do not use viruses, but the efficiency is low.
CELLmeric’s innovation, by contrast, can effectively deliver therapeutic genes into T-cells without causing cell toxicity or the DNA mutations that occur in conventional methods.
As a result, CAR-T cells with better clinical safety and therapeutic efficiency can be mass-produced in a cost-effective manner, unlocking access to advanced cancer treatment for millions of patients.
Prof Tang explains: “CAR-T cell therapy holds tremendous promise for patients with blood cancers, but its high cost and complicated manufacturing process make it an unmet clinical need worldwide. CELLmeric's breakthrough virus-free platform provides a safer and more affordable solution that can make cell therapy a viable clinical treatment option.”
The company’s scientific achievement has already earned widespread recognition, including gold (2021) and silver (2024) medals at the International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva, silver medal at the 2024 Asia Exhibition of Innovations and Inventions Hong Kong, First Runner-up at the CUHK Entrepreneurship Competition 2025 and Best Innovation at the Shanghai-Hong Kong Innovation Project Competition 2025.
Its breakthrough technology has been patented in Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and the US.
Poised for global impact
CELLmeric’s immediate focus is to secure at least HK$23 million (US$3 million) to establish a manufacturing facility and strengthen its intellectual property protection. In parallel, the biotech firm is working with medical schools and pharmaceutical companies to initiate clinical evaluations of its technology.
It is also expanding into the prestigious Hong Kong Science Park to accelerate its translation programme, joining over 300 life and health tech companies thriving within the city’s dynamic start-up ecosystem.
Prof Tang is enthusiastic about the wider potential of his invention, particularly given the rising incidence of cancer at younger ages and the global increase in lifespans. Beyond cancer, the technology shows promise for treating diabetes, organ failure, and even ageing.
“CAR-T cell therapy is just the beginning. Emerging evidence from recent laboratory studies suggests that some newly discovered immune cells may have better therapeutic potential than CAR-T cells,” he said.
Winning Start-up Express has provided CELLmeric with valuable mentorship and networking opportunities, according to the researcher, as well as an opportunity to showcase its invention and commercial potential to investors.
“Start-up Express has helped us expand our network, optimise our business strategy and access resources outside the academic sphere.”
“Through workshops, roadshows and media exposure, we’ve connected with pharmaceutical companies, manufacturers and regulatory consultants, which are all critical in our commercialisation journey,” he concluded.