HKG Epitherapeutics Ltd. emerged in 2016 under the leadership of Professor Moshe Szyf from McGill University, driven by the vision of utilizing four decades of epigenetic research to revolutionize the early detection of cancer and other diseases. With a pioneering spirit, the company introduced the concept of a global platform for clinical epigenetics to bridge the gap between scientific advancements and the lack of capacity in clinical epigenetics worldwide. By developing a robust and scalable platform, HKG Epitherapeutics aims to meet the growing demand for an expanding range of epigenetic tests while adhering to the highest regulatory standards.

 

To establish its credibility, HKG Epitherapeutics secured CAP-CLIA accreditation for its laboratory in Hong Kong, showcasing its ability to deliver clinical epigenetic tests at the utmost regulatory level. The company anticipates exponential growth in the number of clinical tests in this field and aspires to capture a significant portion of this vast clinical "real estate."

 

Initially, the company operated from a compact laboratory occupying 500 square feet within the Hong Kong Science Park. With a team of three dedicated scientists, they successfully developed the company's first next-generation sequencing tests for liver and cervical cancers, as well as a pan-cancer screening tool. In 2019, HKG Epitherapeutics introduced epiAge, a biological aging test, which gained traction through resellers in Germany and the USA.

 

In 2018, the company expanded its operations, moving to a laboratory twice the size of its original facility and increasing its team to eight members. This expansion facilitated further clinical studies for their tests and enabled the global distribution of the epiAge test.

 

To enhance its infrastructure and capabilities, HKG Epitherapeutics attracted an additional 2 million USD in investment, attracting more investors to support its mission. This funding enabled the construction of a state-of-the-art laboratory designed to meet the highest regulatory standards for epigenetic testing. By incorporating automation, the company improved test accuracy and throughput. Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the new 3500 square foot facility became operational in 2021.

 

By the end of the same year, HKG Epitherapeutics achieved US CAP and CLIA accreditation, granting it the opportunity to offer its services in the highly regulated US market. Notably, the epiCervix test for cervical cancer became the first test validated by the laboratory for CAP accreditation. Additionally, the company filed three global patents for its innovations in cancer and biological aging testing, with these patents currently progressing through the national phase in several countries.

 

In 2022, HKG Epitherapeutics secured additional funding, bringing the total raised to 9.9 million USD. As of 2023, the company employs 15 staff members in its Hong Kong lab, with the support of top consultants in Montreal, Maryland, and Florida. Moreover, it operates a sister lab in Shenzhen, China, which has commenced its marketing efforts in mainland China. The company achieved a significant milestone in July 2023 when the results of the epiLiver clinical study, conducted in partnership with icddr,b in Bangladesh, were published in Nature Communications. In the same year, the epiCervix test was validated through a study published by the Department of Oncology at McGill University in the International Journal of Cancer.

 

Looking ahead, HKG Epitherapeutics is in the process of securing an additional funding to expand its market presence in the USA, Germany and Singapore while further enhancing its research and development efforts. This includes broadening its test offerings and improving its cloud-based systems for analysis, management, and reporting. With an unwavering commitment to advancing clinical epigenetics, HKG Epitherapeutics is poised to shape the future of early disease detection and contribute to improving global healthcare outcomes.