Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre

What Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre does

ABIC is a biomedical instrumentation research-to-commercialization center operating under Hong Kong's InnoHK initiative and coordinated by the University of Hong Kong. Established in 2021 and headquartered at Hong Kong Science and Technology Park in Sha Tin, the center focuses on developing next-generation microfluidics, low-cost biomedical instrumentation, organoids and microphysiological systems, brain-computer interfaces, and electrochemical biosensors. ABIC is directed by Prof. Anderson Ho Cheung Shum and operates with 11-50 staff across three research themes: product innovation with engineering excellence, novel clinical diagnostics, and next-generation CRO tools for pre-clinical drug development. The center bridges academic research and clinical application by leveraging HKU's research infrastructure and Hong Kong's startup ecosystem.

The core technology portfolio centers on proprietary microfluidic platforms including the DipµChip capillary diagnostic system, aqueous two-phase systems for droplet microfluidics, 3D organoid and microphysiological systems, electrochemical biosensors for inflammatory and stress markers, and minimally invasive subdural and epidural electrocorticographic brain-computer interfaces. AI capabilities are integrated into specific products including Deep Visual Immune Cell Profiling (Deep VICP), Predictive Fertility Assessment System, FACED high-throughput imaging flow cytometry, and VIA trajectory inference for single-cell omics. ABIC holds 15+ filed patent applications across the US, China, and Hong Kong jurisdictions and has accumulated multiple international recognitions including Gold Medals at the International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva (2023-2025), SVIIF Grand Prix 2025, and the Guanghua Engineering Science and Technology Award from the Chinese Academy of Engineering in 2024.

ABIC operates through four revenue streams: (1) government research grants via InnoHK, (2) technology licensing to commercial corporations, (3) spin-off company incubation and operations, and (4) collaborative R&D with industry and clinical partners. The center has incubated at least seven spin-off companies including Multera (PCR diagnostics), AxileLife (AI fertility diagnostics), Inhalixir (respiratory therapeutics), IVECS (ophthalmics), OptoC Technology, MicroDiagnostics, and Xon Vision. Target customer segments span clinical diagnostics companies, pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms, medical device manufacturers, and respiratory therapeutics companies, served through spin-off commercialization, technology licensing, joint development agreements, and industry partnerships. Strategic alliances include MOUs with venture capital firms Bioworld Ventures, China Prosperity Capital, and Gaw Capital, plus research collaborations with Harvard, TUM, and Tsinghua RITS, and a new ABIC-Wuxi Co-Innovation Centre launched in November 2025 for Greater Bay Area expansion.

Name

Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre

Legal name

Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre Limited

Website

https://abic.hk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ABIC is a Hong Kong-based biomedical instrumentation research center under the InnoHK initiative, coordinated by the University of Hong Kong. It develops microfluidics, organoids, biosensors, and brain-computer interface technologies, commercializing outputs through spin-off companies, licensing, and industry partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biomedical Instrumentation R&D

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty Therapeutic-Area CROs (e.g., oncology/rare disease) (HLAGAAAL)

Keywords

• Biomedical instrumentation
• Microfluidic diagnostics
• Organoid research platforms
• Medical device development
• Biosensor technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Sha Tin

HQ country

Hong Kong SAR China

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Research Grants and Government Funding: ABIC operates as part of InnoHK, receiving government support for R&D activities. The Centre develops and commercializes biomedical instrumentation through collaborative research projects.
2. Technology Licensing: ABIC licenses its patented technologies including microfluidics platforms, biosensors, and medical devices to commercial corporations for exclusive or non-exclusive licensing arrangements.
3. Spin-off Companies: ABIC incubates spin-off companies such as Multera, AxileLife, Inhalixir, and IVECS to commercialize specific technologies developed at the Centre.
4. Collaborative Research and Development: Joint research projects with industry partners, venture capital firms, and clinical institutions for product development and clinical validation.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ABIC is an InnoHK research centre that develops and commercialises next-generation biomedical instrumentation, including microfluidic diagnostic platforms, organoid and microphysiological systems, brain-computer interface technologies, and electrochemical biosensors. The centre translates laboratory research into clinical and commercial applications through technology licensing, spin-off companies, and collaborative R&D partnerships with industry, clinicians, and investors.

Product overview

ABIC functions as a research-to-commercialization center under InnoHK, developing a portfolio of biomedical instrumentation technologies spanning diagnostic platforms, therapeutic systems, and research tools. The portfolio includes both core products (such as the Multera next-generation PCR platform, DipµChip microfluidic diagnostics, organoids/MPS systems, and brain-computer interface technologies) and spin-off companies (AxileLife for AI fertility diagnostics, Inhalixir for respiratory therapeutics, IVECS for ophthalmics, OptoC Technology, and MicroDiagnostics). The technologies primarily leverage microfluidics, AI/ML, organoid systems, and biomedical imaging platforms, with multiple technologies having received international recognition including Gold Medals at the International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Multera Next-generation PCR Barcoding Platform
• DipµChip – Capillary Microfluidic Platform for Point-of-care Diagnostics
• Aptasensor for Sepsis Diagnostic
• Brain-Computer Interface Technologies
• Electrochemical Biosensor for Rapid Detection of Inflammatory and Stress Markers
• Predictive Fertility Assessment System
• Thermal Activation Technology Platform for Inhaled Drug Development
• Organoids and Microphysiological Systems (MPS)
• AxileLife
• Inhalixir
• IVECS
• OptoC Technology Limited
• MicroDiagnostics Limited
• Next-generation PCR Microfluidic In Vitro Diagnostics Platform
• SpImage – Large-scale Spinning Imaging for Intelligent Rapid Cell Screening

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability12 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and minor.

• Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen (RITS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 November 2025Strategic signing ceremony conducted in November 2025 to advance industrial development of ABIC's Brain-Computer Interface Project, strengthening Hong Kong-Shenzhen scientific synergy under Greater Bay Area initiative.
• Wuxi Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation CentrekeyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 November 2025Commencement of ABIC-Wuxi Co-Innovation Centre in November 2025 dedicated to accelerating technology translation and industry deployment of biomedical innovations.
• Surrich International Company LimitedkeyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 November 2025Surrich International partnered with ABIC in November 2025 as part of strategic collaboration ceremony, contributing to ABIC's innovation ecosystem development.
• University of Hong Kong (HKU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerABIC is coordinated by the University of Hong Kong, with Prof. Anderson Shum serving as Centre Director. HKU provides academic oversight, research infrastructure, and connects ABIC to HKU's broader research ecosystem including faculty investigators from various departments.
• InnoHKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerABIC operates as one of the flagship research clusters under InnoHK, Hong Kong's initiative for global collaboration in innovation and technology. InnoHK provides funding, ecosystem support, and strategic positioning for ABIC's research translation activities.
• Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerABIC is physically located at Hong Kong Science and Technology Park. HKSTP provides infrastructure, networking opportunities with industry, and commercialization support for spin-off companies emerging from ABIC research.
• Harvard UniversitykeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerABIC co-hosted symposium with Harvard University in May 2024 featuring faculty from Harvard SEAS including Prof. David Weitz and Dr. Fawwaz Habbal. Prof. Weitz serves as Faculty Investigator for ABIC.
• Technical University of Munich (TUM)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerTUM collaborates with ABIC through joint symposiums and research programs. Prof. Andreas Bausch from TUM participates in ABIC events and serves as advisor, particularly in organoid and microphysiological systems research.
• Toronto International Society of Innovation & Advanced Skills (TISIAS)minorOthersTISIAS organizes the iCAN International Invention Innovation Competition where ABIC has received multiple international awards recognizing its innovative biomedical technologies.
• C2ikeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerC2i (Dr. Michael Chan and Prof. Leo Poon) collaborates with ABIC in cancer diagnostics and clinical development, presenting at ABIC symposiums and participating in research commercialization activities.
• GLOASkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerGLOAS (Dr. Vincent Lui and Prof. Paul Tam) collaborates with ABIC in organoid-based innovations and biomedical instrumentation, participating in joint symposiums and commercialization efforts.
• CVVTkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCVVT (Prof. Kwok Yung Yuen) partners with ABIC in biomedical research translation and innovation commercialization activities, contributing expertise in infectious diseases and clinical applications.
• Hong Kong Exchange (HKEX)minorOthersHKEX participates in ABIC symposiums providing insights on market access and listing opportunities for biomedical companies emerging from ABIC's commercialization pipeline.
• InvestHKminorOthersInvestHK co-organizes and supports ABIC symposiums on biomedical translation and commercialization, providing regulatory guidance and market entry support for innovative companies.
• Tsinghua University Shenzhen Research InstitutekeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerTsinghua University Shenzhen Research Institute visited ABIC in January 2025 for academic and research exchange, discussing collaboration in innovation incubation systems and technology transfer.
• Xon Vision LimitedkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerXon Vision Limited (spin-off by Dr. Zhiqin Chu) collaborates with ABIC on photonic chipscope technology and diamond-mediated optical anticounterfeiting, receiving iCAN awards alongside ABIC.
• Hong Kong Life Science Society (HKLSS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerABIC supports HKLSS Summer Internship program, hosting student visits and participating in panel discussions on careers in biomedical innovation.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• TissUse GmbH: TissUse develops multi-organ microphysiological systems and organ-on-chip technology for drug development and toxicity testing. Directly comparable to ABIC's MPS and organoid platforms serving pharmaceutical drug screening customers.
• Sphere Fluidics: Sphere Fluidics develops droplet microfluidics platforms for single-cell analysis and screening. Comparable to ABIC's core droplet microfluidics technology (including aqueous two-phase systems) and Interaction-based Droplet Sorting (InDroS) product.
• Mimetas BV: Mimetas develops organ-on-chip and microfluidic 3D cell culture platforms for drug discovery and toxicology. Directly comparable to ABIC's microfluidic platforms and organoid systems for pharma/biotech pre-clinical research applications.
• Emulate Inc. Emulate develops organ-on-chip and microphysiological systems for drug development and disease modeling. Directly comparable to ABIC's Organoids and MPS platform for pre-clinical research, organoid-based drug screening, and microphysiological systems applications.
• CN Bio Innovations: CN Bio provides organ-on-chip and MPS technologies for pre-clinical drug discovery. Compares directly to ABIC's Next Generation CRO theme — both target pharma/biotech customers with organoid and microphysiological systems for safer, faster pre-clinical research.
• Dolomite Microfluidics (Blacktrace Holdings): Dolomite Microfluidics manufactures microfluidic chips, components, and instruments for life sciences and diagnostics. Comparable to ABIC's capillary microfluidic platforms (DipµChip) and broader droplet microfluidic research platforms used in biomedical instrumentation.

Emerging players

• Neuralink: Neuralink develops implantable brain-computer interface systems. Comparable to ABIC's minimally invasive subdural and epidural electrocorticographic BCI technologies as an emerging player in the same neurotech category, though focused on different BCI modalities and surgical approaches.

Broad incumbents

• Bio-Rad Laboratories: Bio-Rad is a global life science research and clinical diagnostics manufacturer offering instruments, reagents, and digital tools. Comparable to ABIC's broader biomedical instrumentation portfolio (PCR, biosensors, microfluidic platforms) as a broad incumbent with overlapping capabilities.
• Fluidigm (now Standard BioTools): Standard BioTools (formerly Fluidigm) manufactures mass cytometry and microfluidics-based life sciences instruments. Comparable to ABIC's microfluidic platforms, single-cell imaging (FACED), and biosensor technologies as a broad incumbent in the same instrumentation space.
• 10x Genomics: 10x Genomics provides single-cell analysis and spatial biology instruments for life sciences research. Comparable to ABIC's SpImage cell screening and Deep Visual Immune Cell Profiling (Deep VICP) technologies, though 10x operates as a much larger, established commercial entity with broader portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/advanced-biomedical-instrumentation-centre

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre