Prof Francis Chan: Reflections on tenure as Dean and vision on HK’s future of medical innovation

As Professor Francis Chan reflected on his 11-year service as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), he shared his vision on the future of healthcare development in Hong Kong and how the city has the potential to become a hub for medical innovation and technology (I&T).

CUHK Medicine’s growth and achievements

Appointed as Dean of Medicine in February 2014 after a 1-year interim tenure from January 2013 to January 2014, Chan is the first CUHK graduate to lead the faculty. “I take greatest pride in witnessing the growth of individuals during my service,” Chan told MIMS Doctor at a media event. “Our students have become practising healthcare professionals, and some young talents in our faculty have turned into internationally recognized superstars.”

In 2013/2014, CUHK’s Faculty of Medicine launched the Global Physician-Leadership Stream programme – a pioneering concept in Asia. This programme strongly emphasizes mentorship and guidance, aiming to foster leadership skills and global vision in healthcare and research among medical students.

“We are dedicated to delivering high-quality medical education, fostering excellence in scientific innovation, and providing sustainable medical service in the society,” Chan said. “With outstanding teaching and improved infrastructure, our faculty is well prepared to admit more medical students to address healthcare needs in Hong Kong.”

HK’s future: Medical innovation & technology hub

After completing his tenure as dean, Chan will continue teaching and research activities within CUHK’s Department of Medicine and Therapeutics. “As a gastroenterology researcher with a passion for I&T, I plan to explore translational applications of gut microbiota research,” he said.

Recent studies by CUHK demonstrated potential impacts of gut microbiota on digestive function, psychiatric symptoms, metabolic disorders and immunologic conditions. [Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2020;52:247-266; Genes Nutr 2022;17:2; Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023;8:373] Currently, the researchers are developing gut microbiota–based noninvasive diagnostic tests for Crohn’s disease, autism and long COVID, after developing a test that predicts the risks of colorectal cancer, nonadvanced adenoma and recurrent adenoma with high sensitivity. [Gut 2020;69:1248-1257; Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2022;55:847-855]

“Top priorities for Hong Kong’s future of medical development include delivering high-quality medical service as well as advancing healthcare innovation and technology. Creating an optimal environment with advanced facilities and comprehensive support could reshape perceptions, positioning Hong Kong as a hub for medical I&T in the Greater Bay Area,” Chan pointed out.

“A medical I&T hub relies on a large-scale and robust medical database containing reliable long-term clinical data, as well as [an accredited] biobank with stringent management of biospecimens. Their integration with artificial intelligence can streamline the drug screening process, substantially accelerating drug development and reducing the risk of failure,” he continued.

CUHK’s biobank, established in 2019 at the Prince of Wales Hospital, earned the ISO 20387:2018(en) accreditation from the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation in July 2023. This makes it one of the two internationally accredited biobanks in the Asia Pacific region, along with a facility in South Korea.

To support Hong Kong’s biomedical research and development (R&D), in October 2023, the Hospital Authority and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation launched an open data platform, allowing eligible companies and partners to access anonymous clinical data from approximately 200,000 patients.

According to Chan, these systems and facilities demonstrate Hong Kong’s standing as a potential hub for new drug R&D in the Greater Bay Area. “This can attract multinational pharmaceutical corporations, as well as talents with entrepreneurial mindset and practical expertise in therapeutic development,” he added.