Quality Alchemist (品質煉金術師): CUBIC Biotech Seminar - Medical Equipment and Veterinary Clinical Service

I attended “Happy Hour Tea Gathering” which organized by Life Science Group, CityU Business and Industrial Club (CUBIC), City University of Hong Kong on 18 March 2010.

The first speaker was Dr. Stephen W. Cheung (Director, Microwave Systems, Accuray Incorporated, Sunnyvale, California, USA) and his presentation titled “Medical Equipment and Cancer Economics”.

Dr. Cheung introduced Accuray Incorporated which was a global leader in the field of radiosurgery dedicated to providing a non-surgical treatment option for those diagnosed with cancer. He said every people would experience the old Chinese saying: Birth, Aging, Illness and Death. Moreover, technologies pushed life expectancy to near 80 years old for developed countries. Therefore, aging baby-boomers are one of market perspectives. Then he briefed the investment perspectives that a highly regulated industry such as FDA in USA. The FDA approval could be obtained at least 7 years with extensive clinical trials. On the other hand, products commanded high gross profit margin (e.g. 50% up)

After that he introduced the statistic of the cause of death in US and found that cancer was ranked in second. Dr. Cheung also estimated the cancer economics on radiation therapy machines in US and China.

The following photo showed the process of cancer treatment.

Then production and applications of X-Rays were discussed.

Cyberknife system was introduced by Dr. Cheung. Source of X-rays employed in “Accuray” is about 9.4GHz and the electron energy is in the range from 4 to 9 MeV.

Finally, he discussed other application in X-ray such as Cargo Scanning. The following photos indicated the different applications.

The second speaker was Dr. Christopher M. Riggs (Head of Veterinary Clinical Services, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Equine Hospital, Sha Tin Race course) and his topic was “Looking After the Animals at the Centre of a Multi-Billion Dollar Business – Life as a Horse Doctor in Hong Kong Jockey Club”.

In the beginning, Dr. Riggs introduced the history of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (since 1846). Then facilities were also briefed that maximum of 60 horses each trainer, 24 trainer totally. Self-contained air-conditioned, multi-storey stable blocks, sand yard and walker were provided. Jockey Club needed to follow Veterinary regulation and international liaison such as assist racing control, oversee collection of official samples, liaise over quarantine issues, perform pre- and post-race horse inspections and review “fitness to race”, etc.