British pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is leveraging patient data from the Greater Bay Area’s population to accelerate the development of vaccines and oncology treatments, as regional authorities promote deeper cross-border medical collaboration. The Greater Bay Area, encompassing Hong Kong, Macau, and nine cities in Guangdong province, is home to some 88 million people and represents a major economic hub with a combined GDP exceeding US$2.23 trillion last year.
Nicholas Teo, GSK’s general manager for Hong Kong and Macau, emphasized the crucial role of patient data in supplementing regulatory submissions, supporting label expansions for medications, and uncovering benefits beyond the primary effects of drugs. Citing vaccines as a key focus, Teo noted that while vaccines for influenza, shingles, and respiratory syncytial virus have established efficacy, researchers are increasingly investigating potential secondary benefits—such as protective effects on cardiovascular and neurological health—which could inform future healthcare policies.
GSK’s expertise lies largely in vaccination and disease prevention, including work on shingles, respiratory syncytial virus, and hepatitis B. The company is also expanding its portfolio in oncology and hematology.
The collaboration draws on a memorandum of understanding signed in September last year between GSK, the University of Hong Kong (HKU), and the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute. This partnership aims to assess the long-term health impacts of the shingles vaccine, with a particular focus on real-world data collected during routine clinical care at hospitals and clinics.
Speaking at the Hong Kong International Biotechnology Conference and Exhibition, Cheung Ching-lung, director of GSK’s real-world study and application centre, highlighted the potential of real-world data to facilitate evidence-based decision-making through global cooperation. HKU pharmacy professor Ian Wong stressed that effective cross-border research depends first on establishing safe infrastructure, supported by government regulation, ethical frameworks, and public education.
Regulatory safeguards are already in place to protect patient privacy, according to Raphael Yeung, senior pharmacist at Hong Kong’s Drug Office, referencing local policies such as the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance.
Teo underscored that the ultimate value of collecting and analyzing such data lies in improving patient outcomes and informing policy decisions. Accurate data demonstrating a medication’s benefit for specific populations can guide governments in decisions regarding availability, subsidies, and access.
Looking ahead, GSK aims to demonstrate that secure and high-quality cross-border data exchange is feasible at scale. “We hope to be part of potential pilot studies or collaborations that will prove this data flow is safe, secure and high quality between Hong Kong and mainland China,” Teo said, reflecting the company’s commitment to advancing integrated healthcare innovation in the region.