HKTDC & UOB Research: Two-thirds of GBA firms adopt sustainable development

About 65% of enterprises in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) have adopted green and sustainable development practices in business operations, and about 70% said they would consider using more of Hong Kong’s green products and services over the next two years, a research report by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and UOB revealed.

The HKTDC and UOB have jointly released a research report titled Sustainability in the GBA: Unlocking Opportunities and Empowering Growth. Photo shows Irina Fan (right), Director of HKTDC Research, and Brian Lam (left), Chief Financial Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer, UOB Hong Kong
The HKTDC and UOB have jointly released a research report titled Sustainability in the GBA: Unlocking Opportunities and Empowering Growth. Photo shows Irina Fan (right), Director of HKTDC Research, and Brian Lam (left), Chief Financial Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer, UOB Hong Kong

The report, Sustainability in the GBA: Unlocking Opportunities and Empowering Growth, revealed that the top three green practices adopted by GBA enterprises include resource recycling, clean energy adoption and green office practices (notably the use of energy-efficient office equipment, paperless offices and online office systems). Among these enterprises which have adopted green practices, 98% reported positive impact on their businesses, in particular increased brand reputation and brand recognition as well as improved energy efficiency and cost reduction. Other positive impacts include improved governance of corporate compliance and risk control, as well as better chances of securing market and business opportunities.

The report also highlighted that GBA enterprises acknowledge Hong Kong’s significant advantages in green building technologies, green consulting services, green financial services and expertise in green sectors and advanced technology. The firms expressed a strong willingness to explore and adopt sustainable development services offered by Hong Kong.

Huge opportunities from growing green and sustainable practices in the GBA

HKTDC Research Director Irina Fan said: “As sustainable development has become increasingly important, GBA-based businesses have become ever more committed to implementing ESG-related strategies. Nearly all GBA business are looking to incorporate ESG into various business aspects, which translates into an average spend of HK$370,000 (US$47,000) per company in the next two years. Now, there are about 3 million enterprises in the GBA, this could mean a scenario of HK$1 trillion ESG investment. Much of which will likely be channelled into Hong Kong-based green partner businesses.

“With high regard for the sustainable solutions offered in Hong Kong (average desirability score of 8.9 out of 10), GBA enterprises are keen to look to Hong Kong-based green partner businesses to accelerate their sustainable practices.” She added: “About 70% of surveyed respondents considered to use or increase usage of Hong Kong’s green and sustainable solutions. This is a real vote of confidence in the strength and breadth of Hong Kong’s green resources.”

Brian Lam, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer, UOB Hong Kong, said: “We recognise the imperative need for GBA enterprises to incorporate sustainability practices into their business strategies. The report highlights the current insufficiency of resources, funds and unified standards towards sustainable development, which poses a challenge to the successful implementation of green transformation plans and achieving decarbonisation targets.

“UOB takes our responsibility to provide and channel capital to facilitate continued investments in sectors that are critical to the energy transition very seriously. With the growing demand for sustainable finance, our aim is to simplify access to sustainable financing for clients, strengthen their ESG capabilities and support them in the crucial task of transitioning their business models to reduce carbon emissions and seize new business opportunities. Together, we create a greater positive impact and drive sustainable progress.”

Growing emphasis on GBA green sustainable development

The report revealed that almost all (99.7%) of surveyed GBA enterprises planned to incorporate or increase the level of ESG elements in their operations over the next two years, demonstrating commitment to ESG practices. Moreover, more than 90% of GBA enterprises intended to increase or maintain ESG-based investments over the next two years, with 30% planning an increase and 64% maintaining current investment levels. GBA enterprises expected to allocate an average budget of HK$370,000 (US$47,000) to ESG initiatives over the next two years.

Insufficient experience, funding pose obstacles

However, GBA enterprises generally believed that a lack of experience (77%), cost pressures (67%) and an absence of unified standards (61%) were the key obstacles hindering the implementation of green sustainable development. Surveyed enterprises said the market lacked standardised guidelines and success stories. Many enterprises were concerned about significant upfront investments or difficulty in achieving short-term returns. Existing green standards were also relatively fragmented, with different standards in domestic and international markets, as well as significant industry differences, which discouraged enterprises interested in green transformation.

GBA enterprises look to Hong Kong’s green services

A majority of respondents saw Hong Kong as likely to provide a higher level of green-related services than many comparable mainland cities. Among the areas where Hong Kong was seen as a particularly strong performer were green construction technology, climate risk assessment to a global standard, design consultancy services, green financial services, and the provision of green technology. Most respondents felt that Hong Kong was home to a substantial pool of environmentally aware professionals.

In specific terms, about 70% of surveyed respondents considered to use or increase usage of Hong Kong’s green and sustainable solutions in next two years. More than 90% believed the city could help effectively accelerate green sustainable development within the region through the deployment of green technology (especially with regard to construction, energy efficiency and recycling) as well as via the greater availability of a variety of green financial products and services. A substantial number of respondents also indicated they were likely to use of a range of Hong Kong’s other green-related services, including green certification and carbon emission measurement (89%), green financial services (88%) and energy transition programmes (86%).

GBA enterprises are very keen to learn more with regard to the sustainable development services offered in Hong Kong, with an average desirability score of 8.9 out of 10. The top five preferred green products and services include utilising green applications provided by Hong Kong; engaging sustainable development roadmap planning and consultancy services; accessing green-focused professional talents/services and advanced technology; benefiting from ESG reporting, due diligence, ESG ratings and green asset valuation services offered by Hong Kong; and utilising green financial products and services.

The HKTDC-UOB survey was conducted in July and August this year through an online questionnaire completed by 300 leading enterprises in the 11 GBA cities. In addition, a series of in-depth interviews saw a broad cross-section of GBA industry professionals outline their views on Hong Kong’s green development capabilities and their own ESG implementation strategies.

About HKTDC

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on Twitter @hktdc and LinkedIn

About UOB

UOB is a leading bank in Asia. Operating through its head office in Singapore and banking subsidiaries in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, UOB has a global network of around 500 offices in 19 countries and territories in Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. Since its incorporation in 1935, UOB has grown organically and through a series of strategic acquisitions. Today, UOB is rated among the world’s top banks: Aa1 by Moody’s Investors Service and AA- by both S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings.

For nearly nine decades, UOB has adopted a customer-centric approach to create long-term value by staying relevant through its enterprising spirit and doing right by its customers. UOB is focused on building the future of ASEAN – for the people and businesses within, and connecting with ASEAN.

The Bank connects businesses to opportunities in the region with its unparalleled regional footprint and leverages data and insights to innovate and create personalised banking experiences and solutions catering to each customer’s unique needs and evolving preferences. UOB is also committed to helping businesses forge a sustainable future, by fostering social inclusiveness, creating positive environmental impact and pursuing economic progress. UOB believes in being a responsible financial services provider and is steadfast in its support of art, social development of children and education, doing right by its communities and stakeholders.

Media enquires
HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Frankie Leung, Tel: (852) 2584 4298, Email: frankie.cy.leung@hktdc.org
Clayton Lauw, Tel: (852) 2584 4472, Email: clayton.y.lauw@hktdc.org 

UOB Hong Kong:
Susanna Liu, Tel: (852) 2123 7537, Email: susanna.liwy@uobgroup.com
Sarah Tsang, Tel: (852) 2123 7536, Email: sarah.tsangsw@uobgroup.com 

Yuan Tung Financial Relations:
Agnes Yiu, Tel: (852) 3428 5690, Email: ayiu@yuantung.com.hk
Hing-fung Wong, Tel: (852) 3428 3122, Email: hfwong@yuantung.com.hk

Photos Download: https://bit.ly/45QTMHE


Topic: Press release summary

Japan – Value Research Center (VRC) at SSUNGA78: ‘How Purpose, Value, and Impact will Drive a Sustainable Post-SDG Future’

Value Research Center (VRC) at SSUNGA78: ‘How Purpose, Value, and Impact will Drive a Sustainable Post-SDG Future’

VRC hosts Panel Discussion at the Science Summit at UNGA78 on Sept 25, 16:00 to 18:30 JST, to discuss UN SDGs and the Value Model

KYOTO, Japan, Sep 25, 2023 – (JCN Newswire)How can purpose, value, and impact measurement serve as a guide for building a post-SDGs model?

At this year’s UN General Assembly Science Summit (SSUNGA78), Prof. Philip Sugai, Director of the Value Research Center (VRC) at Doshisha University, Dr. Victoria Hurth from the Cambridge Institute of Sustainable Leadership (CISL), Dr. Mario Abela from the Value Balancing Alliance (VBA), and Prof. Haruko Satoh from Osaka University’s ESG Integration Research and Education Center (ESG-IREC) will hold individual presentations and a panel discussion about these questions as well as their answers.

The objective of this Science Summit is “to develop and launch science collaborations to demonstrate global science mechanisms and activities to support the attainment of the UN SDGs, Agenda 2030 and Local2030.” This event brings together scientists, academics, government leaders and citizens from around the world to participate in a series of workshops, presentations and discussions.

The 9th annual Science Summit is being held live in New York and online and it is free to attend. This presentation is one of four events hosted by the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) and co-host, the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations.

“Beyond the wording on corporate websites, beyond the awards and sustainability scores, businesses have clear impacts on their stakeholders,” said Prof. Sugai. “The purpose of this workshop is to go beyond the talk surrounding sustainability issues to arrive at a useful, holistic model that is founded on purpose and offers a goal-based, objective, transparent approach for measuring and accounting for impacts and the value that they create. Not only for the world’s largest corporations in developed economies, but for businesses of all sizes anywhere in the world.” 

This workshop will begin with opening remarks from Prof. Toshiya Hoshino, Director of the ESG Integration Research and Education Center (ESG-IREC), OSIPP, Osaka University, followed by individual presentations from:

Dr. Victoria Hurth, Fellow and Advisory Board Member, Cambridge Institute for Sustainable Leadership (CISL)

Dr. Mario Abela, Strategic Advisor, Value Balancing Alliance (VBA)

Prof. Philip Sugai, Director, Value Research Center (VRC), Doshisha University

Prof. Haruko Satoh, Co-Director, OSIPP-IAFOR Research Centre, Osaka University

This half-day workshop will be held online on, Monday, Sept 25, from 16:00 – 18:30 JST

Details of the Workshop are on: https://sched.co/1SDJ

Free registration is available on: https://sciencesummitunga.com/ssunga78/

About the Value Research Center

The Value Research Center (VRC) at Doshisha University in Kyoto, Japan was established in November 2021. Its mission: to develop a practical system, a Value Model, for organizations to measure, monitor, assess and report their impacts on 7 key stakeholders: the organization itself, its shareholders, employees, customers, partners, society, and the planet.

The VRC enhances its Value Model continuously, integrating new frameworks as they are introduced, bringing greater transparency, objectivity and measurability to value creation – in ways we often didn’t see. The VRC Value Model gives government and industry eyes to see impacts they’re actually having, and the ability to fix what’s broken and enhance what they’re doing well. Learn more at www.valueresearchcenter.com

About the ESG-IREC Research Center

The Osaka University Graduate School of International Public Policy – ESG Integration Research and Education Center (ESG-IREC) conducts research on practical implementable “ESG integration” models in corporate and business activities for the creation of a more sustainable future. Visit www.osipp.osaka-u.ac.jp/en/.

Value Research Center (VRC) at SSUNGA78: ‘How Purpose, Value, and Impact will Drive a Sustainable Post- SDG Future’

KYOTO, Japan, Sep 22, 2023 – (JCN Newswire)How can purpose, value, and impact measurement serve as a guide for building a post-SDGs model?

At this year’s UN General Assembly Science Summit (SSUNGA78), Prof. Philip Sugai, Director of the Value Research Center (VRC) at Doshisha University, Dr. Victoria Hurth from the Cambridge Institute of Sustainable Leadership (CISL), Dr. Mario Abela from the Value Balancing Alliance (VBA), and Prof. Haruko Satoh from Osaka University’s ESG Integration Research and Education Center (ESG-IREC) will hold individual presentations and a panel discussion about these questions as well as their answers.

The objective of this Science Summit is “to develop and launch science collaborations to demonstrate global science mechanisms and activities to support the attainment of the UN SDGs, Agenda 2030 and Local2030.” This event brings together scientists, academics, government leaders and citizens from around the world to participate in a series of workshops, presentations and discussions.

The 9th annual Science Summit is being held live in New York and online and it is free to attend. This presentation is one of four events hosted by the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) and co-host, the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations.

“Beyond the wording on corporate websites, beyond the awards and sustainability scores, businesses have clear impacts on their stakeholders,” said Prof. Sugai. “The purpose of this workshop is to go beyond the talk surrounding sustainability issues to arrive at a useful, holistic model that is founded on purpose and offers a goal-based, objective, transparent approach for measuring and accounting for impacts and the value that they create. Not only for the world’s largest corporations in developed economies, but for businesses of all sizes anywhere in the world.” 

This workshop will begin with opening remarks from Prof. Toshiya Hoshino, Director of the ESG Integration Research and Education Center (ESG-IREC), OSIPP, Osaka University, followed by individual presentations from:

– Dr. Victoria Hurth, Fellow and Advisory Board Member, Cambridge Institute for Sustainable Leadership (CISL)

– Dr. Mario Abela, Strategic Advisor, Value Balancing Alliance (VBA)

– Prof. Philip Sugai, Director, Value Research Center (VRC)

– Prof. Haruko Satoh, Co-Director, OSIPP-IAFOR Research Centre, Osaka University

This half-day workshop will be held online on, Monday, Sept 25, from 16:00 – 18:30 JST

Details, and free registration, are available at https://sciencesummitunga.com/ssunga78/

About the Value Research Center

The Value Research Center (VRC) at Doshisha University in Kyoto, Japan was established in November 2021. Its mission: to develop a practical system, a Value Model, for organizations to measure, monitor, assess and report on their impacts on 7 key stakeholders: the organization itself, its shareholders, employees, customers, partners, society, and the planet.

The VRC enhances its Value Model continuously, integrating new frameworks as they are introduced, bringing greater transparency, objectivity and measurability to value creation – in ways we often didn’t see. The VRC Value Model gives government and industry eyes to see impacts they’re actually having, and the ability to fix what’s broken and enhance what they’re doing well. Learn more at www.valueresearchcenter.com.

About the ESG-IREC Research Center

The Osaka University Graduate School of International Public Policy – ESG Integration Research and Education Center (ESG-IREC) conducts research on practical implementable “ESG integration” models in corporate and business activities for the creation of a more sustainable future. Visit www.osipp.osaka-u.ac.jp/en/.


Topic: Trade Show or Conference

Japan – TANAKA Memorial Foundation to Offer Precious Metals Research Grants of Up to 10 Million Yen (from a Grant Pool of 20 Million Yen) – Applications for Research Projects Open on September 4

The TANAKA Memorial Foundation (Representative Director: Hideya Okamoto) announced that it will take applications for research themes for FY2023 Precious Metals Research Grants between September 4 (Mon) and November 30 (Thu). Applications for the grants are open to Japanese educational institutions and public research institutes conducting research and development that will bring about innovative evolution in new research and development, and product development, in the area of precious metals.

In this 25th year of the research grant, recipients will receive a total of 20 million yen in research grants, including the new Umekichi Tanaka Award of 10 million yen, which is the maximum amount offered. Named after company founder Umekichi Tanaka, who strove to expand industrial use of precious metals, the Umekichi Tanaka Award is offered this year to commemorate the 25th anniversary of these Precious Metals Research Grants. Names of the other awards were also changed with the aim of making the grant program more appealing.

Applications can be submitted using the application form on the TANAKA Memorial Foundation website ( https://tanaka-foundation.or.jp ), and, after strict examination, award recipients will be announced at the end of March 2024.

The TANAKA Memorial Foundation aims to contribute to the development and cultivation of new fields for precious metals and to the development of science, technology, and the social economy by conducting activities that enable more people to experience a prosperous society. This grant program aims to support a range of endeavors that can contribute toward creating a well-balanced and prosperous society even in the distant future.

Last year, two Gold Awards were presented. The first one was for “Modeling of precious metal extraction and separation using Moessbauer spectroscopy parameters and computational chemistry” to develop a computational method for predicting the solvent extraction equilibrium of precious metals. The second one was for “Experiments to achieve microstructure control of precious metal-based high-entropy alloys” to develop innovative metal materials aimed at creating strengthening mechanisms with high thermal stability through the use of microstructure control of precious metal-based high-entropy alloys using two-phase crystal structures and their orientation relationship.

Overview of the 2023 Precious Metals Research Grants

[Theme]– Themes that involve any of the following: new technologies to which precious metals can make a contribution, research related to precious metals that will bring innovative evolution to products, or research and development of new products using precious metals

[Grant Amounts] (Maximum amounts from a grant pool of 20 million yen)
– Umekichi Tanaka Award (New): 10 million yen
-Gold Award: 2 million yen
-Silver Award: 1 million yen
-Young Researcher Award: 1 million yen
-TANAKA Special Award (Previously Encouragement Award): 300,000 yen
* The grant amount is treated as a scholarship donation.
* Awards may not be granted in some cases.
* The Platinum Award was discontinued from this year.

[Eligible Candidates]– Personnel who belong to (or work for) educational institutions in Japan (universities, graduate schools, or technical colleges) or public and related research institutions may participate.
* As long as the applicant is affiliated with a research institution in Japan, the base of activity can be in Japan or overseas.
* The Young Researcher Awards are for researchers under the age of 37 as of April 1, 2023.

[Application Period]– 9am, September 4, 2023 (Mon) – 5pm, November 30, 2023 (Thu)

[Application Method]– Enter the required information on the application form available on the TANAKA Memorial Foundation website ( https://tanaka-foundation.or.jp ) and upload details of the research (papers and supplementary material on the theme).

[Announcement]– Results will be announced on the TANAKA Memorial Foundation website around the end of March 2024.
* TANAKA will contact the award recipients directly.

[Conditions]Research content that falls under any of the following
– New technology related to precious metals (new materials, processing methods, process development, etc.)
– Research that brings about innovative evolution in product development (new functions, process development, computational science, etc.)
– Research and development of new products using precious metals
– Effective technologies for creating a well-balanced and prosperous society
* Precious metal refers to eight elements of platinum, gold, silver, palladium, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium and osmium.
* If development is conducted jointly (or planned to be) with other material manufacturers, please indicate so.
* Products that have already been commercialized, put to practical use, or that are planned are not eligible.

About Umekichi Tanaka

After learning his trade at Ejimaya pawn brokerage in Tokyo, company founder, Umekichi Tanaka, opened Ejimaya Tanaka Shoten at Kitajima-cho, Nihonbashi-ku, Tokyo, (now Kayabacho, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo), which remained the headquarters of TANAKA Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K. until 2006. The company’s business originally entailed buying copper coins (one-hundredth of a yen) and nickel coins (five-hundredths of a yen), and exchanging them, in lots of 100 yen, with merchants for a fee. It went on to engage in the bullion trading business, and began melting down foreign gold coins from Yokohama’s foreign quarter and other places, and then refining and selling the metal. The technologies developed at this time went on to play a significant role in later industrial use of precious metals.

[Inquiries Concerning the Research Grant Program]

Precious Metals Research Grants Office
Global Marketing / R&D Supervisory Department, TANAKA Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K.
22F Tokyo Building, 2-7-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-6422
E-mail: joseikin@ml.tanaka.co.jp
TANAKA Memorial Foundation website: https://tanaka-foundation.or.jp

TANAKA Memorial Foundation

Established: April 1, 2015
Address: 22F Tokyo Building, 2-7-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Hideya Okamoto
Incorporated: 2015
Purpose of Business: To provide grants for research related to precious metals to contribute to the development and cultivation of new fields for precious metals, and to the development of science, technology, and the social economy.
Areas of Business: Provision of grants for scientific and technological research related to precious metals. Recognition of excellent analysis of precious metals and holding of seminars and other events.

TANAKA Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K.

Headquarters: 22F, Tokyo Building, 2-7-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Koichiro Tanaka, Group CEO
Founded: 1885
Incorporated: 1918
Capital: 500 million yen
Employees: 2,539 (March 31, 2023)
Sales: 281,813.9 million yen (FY2022)
Main businesses: Manufacture, sales, import and export of precious metals (platinum, gold, silver, and others) and various types of industrial precious metals products.
URL: https://tanaka-preciousmetals.com

Press Inquiries
TANAKA Holdings Co., Ltd.
https://tanaka-preciousmetals.com/en/inquiries-for-media/

Press Release: https://www.acnnewswire.com/docs/files/202309_EN.pdf

Japan – New NEURii Research Collaboration Between Eisai, Gates Ventures, Health Data Research UK, Lifearc and The University of Edinburgh to Develop Digital Solutions for Dementia is Announced

Eisai, Gates Ventures, Health Data Research UK (HDR UK), LifeArc and The University of Edinburgh announced today a new two-year collaborative research agreement. The collaboration, named NEURii is a unique pioneering partnership that creates a powerhouse collaboration of collective expertise in therapeutics, technology development and commercialization, health data management and advanced analytics/data science to predict, protect and promote brain health.

NEURii will focus its initial efforts to develop data and digital solutions to complement approved treatment options for patients and solve issues related to the prediction, prevention, management, and treatment of dementia related disorders.

This groundbreaking collaboration will use high-quality individual data, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML) to deliver patient-focused digital health solutions by developing initial pilot projects originated in highly recognized UK academic centres. These projects have been selected on the basis of their potential to make a meaningful difference to patients’ lives while maintaining data security and public trust. By combining diverse digital biomarkers that can be acquired non-invasively in real world clinical and non-clinical settings (e.g., speech from conversation) with the high-quality and abundant medical data accumulated in the UK, and analyzing them with tailored AI algorithms, NEURii will create innovative digital solutions. These will be deployed in the detection, monitoring and treatment of dementia patients in order to improve their lives as well as minimizing the impact of the disease burden on their carers and families.

This initial two-year pilot establishes a first-in-class launch pad underpinned by an innovative business model and scalable prototype for translating scientific prototypes that will enhance and improve public health demonstrating real world impact. It is envisaged that NEURii partners will explore further opportunities to scale up the program developing digital health solutions worldwide.

Dr. Teiji Kimura, Ph.D., Academia and Industry Alliance Officer, Deep Human Biology Learning (DHBL) Office of Eisai, commented, “Dementia is one of the major social and medical issues in an aging society, and Eisai’s mission is to contribute to solving these issues. We aim to create new digital solutions that will contribute to solving the challenges of dementia by combining the UK’s leadership in this field with our experience and track record of continuously creating innovative treatments in the field of dementia whilst staying true to our human health care concept of giving first thought to patients and the people in the daily living domain.”

It is estimated that more than 55 million are currently living with dementia in the world, and nearly one million people in the UK, and this number is expected to grow rapidly.1,2 As well as having a significant impact on the lives of patients and those who care for them (52% of the UK public knows someone who has been diagnosed with a form of dementia), these conditions place significant pressure on health and social care systems. Providing data-driven solutions that complement existing treatments could help to improve earlier detection and diagnosis, evidence-based treatment decision-making, monitoring of disease progression and maintenance of quality of life.

“AI and other advanced technologies are beginning to play a powerful role in medical research,” said Dr. Niranjan Bose, Managing Director of Health & Life Sciences at Gates Ventures. “I’m excited about how the NEURii collaboration will apply these tools to diagnostics research and drug discovery, and contribute to breakthroughs that can improve life for millions of people suffering with dementia and dementia-related illnesses.”

“Identifying ways to prevent dementia and neurodegenerative disease is a key part of our multi-million-pound neurodegeneration program,” said Paul Wright, MND Translational Challenge Lead at LifeArc “This collaboration is one of many new innovative projects we are involved in to improve the diagnosis of dementia and a positive step towards predicting those who may develop the disease.”

The UK is a leader in digital technology investment and research across areas such as genomics, health data science, AI and ML, with rich and diverse health-related data. NEURii’s model will enable the identification of pioneering data and digital science, the mentoring of talented scientists and the translation of health prototypes into practical and accessible products. By bringing together the expertise and capabilities of the NEURii collaborators, it is hoped that the novel approach will provide an exciting launch-pad for new transformational digital products that can contribute to solving the ongoing challenges of dementia and neurodegenerative conditions.

Professor Andrew Morris, Director of HDR UK, said: “Almost one million people in the UK are living with dementia. This new public-private partnership aims to gain a deeper understanding of the disease through trustworthy use of large datasets of anonymised health data in secure environments. We will take forward a set of pilot projects and engage with the public. Our aim is to produce new data-driven products that will benefit patients and their families in detecting dementia, predicting its progress and better managing the disease.”

NEURii academic lead Professor Siddharthan Chandran, of the University of Edinburgh, said: “The University of Edinburgh is delighted to be part of this ambitious cross-sector digital partnership that has, as an explicit goal, the creation of low cost and globally scalable digital tools to predict and monitor dementia.”

Outputs from the NEURii collaboration will be shared quarterly internally and released externally when appropriate.
  
(1) World Health Organization. Fact sheets, Dementia
www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia
(2) Alzheimer’s Research UK. Dementia Statistics Hub. Number of people in the UK. 2022. Available at: https://dementiastatistics.org/about-dementia/prevalence-and-incidence

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Eisai Co., Ltd.
Public Relations Department
+81-(0)3-3817-5120

Eisai Europe, Ltd.
Bily Kuo
Director, Communications EMEA
emea-comms@eisai.net
+44 (0) 7739 600 678

For queries relating to any of the signing partners: UoE, Gates Ventures, LifeArc and HDRUK
University of Edinburgh/Edinburgh Innovations
Megan Welford
Communications Manager
Megan.welford@ei.ed.ac.uk
+44 07721 120217

For more information, visit www.eisai.com/news/2023/news202346.html.