Spirit of Hong Kong Awards: biotech firm eyes cervical cancer test breakthrough

Hong Kong biotech entrepreneur Ricky Chiu Yin-to is seeking to make cervical cancer screening easier through urine-based HPV testing, using sample-concentration technology developed by his company.

His company, Phase Scientific, made its name during the Covid-19 pandemic through its rapid antigen test, Indicaid. The product received US emergency-use authorisation in July 2021, was used in Hong Kong community testing and sold in more than 30 countries.

At the start of the pandemic, the firm employed 20 to 30 people. Its headcount later peaked at around 400, while monthly production reached as many as 30 million rapid tests.

Chiu said business during the pandemic gave the company the funds, manufacturing experience, team and technology to pursue longer-term research after demand for rapid testing subsided.