InnoEX Opens Today, ASTRI's Latest Low-altitude Economy Innovations on Display

HONG KONG, April 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) showcase a diverse range of emerging solutions for smart city innovation at the third edition of InnoEX, running from 13-16 April at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. ASTRI's technologies on display include advancements in the low-altitude economy (LAE), smart manufacturing, smart mobility, and smart pharmacy, underscoring Hong Kong's growing influence in the global innovation and technology (I&T) arena.

Driving I&T Collaboration

As Hong Kong's leading R&D centre, ASTRI remains steadfast in its mission to accelerate I&T commercialisation, supporting industry transformation and enhancing operational efficiency, said Ir Sunny Lee, Board Chairman of ASTRI. "At InnoEx, we engage with high-quality potential partners from home and abroad, exploring future partnerships through our cutting-edge, market-ready solutions," he said. "ASTRI celebrates its silver jubilee in 2025. To mark this milestone, we have set up a 'time-tunnel' at our booth to reflect on ASTRI's achievements over the past 25 years. As we enter a golden era for I&T development, we remain committed to leveraging technology for societal advancement, enabling smarter living and driving the development of new quality productive forces in Hong Kong."

Ir Chris Chong, Acting CEO and Chief Operating Officer of ASTRI said ASTRI's award-wining technologies have been well-received by the industry. To date, ASTRI has been granted 1,100 patents and has completed 1,500 technology transfers. "We are excited to exhibit at InnoEX once again to showcase our R&D outcomes. We look forward to fostering deeper collaborations among the government, industry, academia, researchers and investors. By working together, we can expedite the journey of I&T breakthroughs from laboratory to the market, further solidifying Hong Kong's position as a global I&T hub."

Showcasing Cutting-Edge Technologies

InnoEX is jointly organised by the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau of the HKSAR Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). As Asia's flagship I&T event, it has attracted distinguished visitors, including government officials and industry leaders keen to explore Hong Kong's thriving I&T ecosystem.

Visitors to ASTRI's booth (3C-E03) in Hall 3C are introduced to an impressive array of pioneering technologies that promise to transform industries and enhance quality of life. These include:

Championing Innovation at the Forum

As a panellist at the "Tech-Driven Industry and Economy Conference Powered by HKSARG OASES" this morning, Ir Chris Chong shared insights into ASTRI's successful R&D projects and demonstrate how technology transfer and commercialisation are turning innovative ideas into market-ready solutions. Tomorrow (14 April), he will take the stage as the moderator for the Innovation Forum: France-Hong Kong Shaping Green Efficiency, Smart Mobility & Digital Transformation, organised by Consulate General of France in Hong Kong & Macau and Business France, to explore the role of technology in shaping future smart city.

Promoting Cross-Sectors I&T Partnership

InnoEX is running concurrently with the HKTDC Electronics Fair (Spring Edition). The two fairs bring together 2,800 exhibitors from 29 countries and regions, attracting global visitors to facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange across industries.

ASTRI Corporate Website – https://www.astri.org  
InnoEX - https://www.hktdc.com/event/innoex/en

Photos Download: https://bit.ly/3FT2kGA 

About ASTRI

Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) was founded by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 2000 with the mission of enhancing Hong Kong's competitiveness through applied research. ASTRI's core R&D competence in various areas is grouped under five Technology Divisions: Advanced Electronic Components and Systems; Artificial Intelligence and Trust Technologies; Communications Technologies; Intelligent Perception and Control Technologies, and IoT Sensing and AI Technologies. It is applied across six core areas which are Smart City, Financial Technologies, New Industrialisation and Intelligent Manufacturing, Digital Health, Application Specific Integrated Circuits and Metaverse.

Over the years, ASTRI has nurtured a pool of research, I&T talents and received numerous international awards for its pioneering innovations as well as outstanding business and community contributions. ASTRI has transferred more than 1,500 technologies to the industry and has been granted over 1,100 patents in the Mainland, the United States, and other countries. For further information, please visit www.astri.org.

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

InnoEX Opens Today, ASTRI's Latest Low-altitude Economy Innovations on Display

InnoEX Opens Today, ASTRI's Latest Low-altitude Economy Innovations on Display

InnoEX Opens Today, ASTRI's Latest Low-altitude Economy Innovations on Display

InnoEX Opens Today, ASTRI's Latest Low-altitude Economy Innovations on Display

SHANGHAI, April 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, a leading international journal in pediatric and adolescent medicine, has published the Phase III clinical trial results of ziresovir, a novel RSV-targeted antiviral drug developed by Shanghai Ark Biopharmaceutical Ltd. The article, titled "Efficacy and safety of ziresovir in hospitalised infants aged 6 months or younger with respiratory syncytial virus infection in China: findings from a phase 3 randomised trial with 24-month follow-up", presents detailed subgroup analysis of infants under six months of age, following the primary results published in The New England Journal of Medicine in September 2024.

RSV: An Urgent Unmet Medical Need

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of hospitalization and mortality in children under six years old. With millions of cases annually worldwide, especially among infants under six months, RSV imposes a significant burden on families and healthcare systems. Current treatments are limited to symptomatic and supportive care, with no approved direct-acting antiviral therapies available.

Ziresovir's Phase III results mark a significant milestone, representing the first clinical validation of an antiviral's efficacy in hospitalized infants ≤6 months, and demonstrating long-term benefits in reducing recurrent wheezing and asthma.

Study Design

This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III trial was conducted at 30 sites in 28 hospitals across China. The trial included two parts:

Infants were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive ziresovir or placebo for five days, with a 24-month follow-up. The latest publication focuses on infants aged six months or younger.

Key Findings

1. Significant Efficacy

2. Long-Term Safety and Respiratory Health Benefits

These long-term benefits suggest early antiviral intervention may reduce the risk of chronic respiratory conditions.

A New Era in RSV Treatment

Unlike existing RSV treatments focused solely on symptom relief, ziresovir is the first RSV-targeted antiviral therapy with demonstrated clinical efficacy in infants under six months—those most at risk of severe complications. These findings introduce a new therapeutic paradigm for RSV treatment and prevention of long-term sequelae.

The results were presented by Dr. Jim Wu, CEO of ArkBio, at the 13th International RSV Symposium in Brazil, receiving recognition from the global RSV research community.

Prof. Xin Ni, principal investigator of the Airflo study and professor at Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, commented:

"This pivotal Phase III trial provides the first solid evidence of an effective antiviral treatment for RSV in high-risk infants. Following our initial publication in The New England Journal of Medicine, this deeper analysis in infants under six months published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health further validates ziresovir's safety, efficacy, and long-term benefit. We are proud of our team's commitment and look forward to bringing this drug to patients in China and worldwide."

For public readers, the article can be accessed at the following link:
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanchi/article/PIIS2352-4642(25)00067-7/fulltext 

About Ziresovir

Ziresovir is a first-in-class, oral small-molecule inhibitor targeting the RSV fusion (F) protein. It prevents viral entry and cell-to-cell transmission by blocking syncytia formation, a hallmark of RSV infection. It is the first oral RSV antiviral to successfully complete a pivotal Phase III trial with positive results and has been granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China.

About ArkBio

ArkBio is a global biotech company focused on developing innovative therapies for respiratory, infectious, and pediatric diseases. Founded in 2014, it has built core technology platforms and a differentiated R&D pipeline through in-house research and collaborations. Key assets include ziresovir, the first direct-acting RSV antiviral with positive pivotal phase III results globally, and AK0901, an FDA-approved pediatric ADHD therapy with commercialization rights in Greater China.

ArkBio has established strategic partnerships with several multinational pharmaceutical companies and academic institutes, including Roche, Genentech, the Scripps Research Institute, the Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, domestic and international biotechnology companies, as well as venture investment institutions.

For more information about the company, please visit our website: www.arkbiosciences.com 

Investor Inquiries: IR@arkbiosciences.com

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health Publishes Phase III Trial and 24-Month Follow-Up Results of Ziresovir for RSV in Infants Under 6 Months