Core Insights - The article discusses the alarming rise in global cancer cases, projected to exceed 35 million by 2050, a 77% increase from 2022, driven by factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, and air pollution [1] - A novel cancer treatment mechanism developed by Professor Liang Run-song's team at Hong Kong Polytechnic University focuses on starving cancer cells by targeting their specific amino acid needs, particularly arginine [3][10] - The drug BCT-100, which utilizes this mechanism, has been approved for clinical trials by the FDA and targets arginine-dependent cancers like acute myeloid leukemia and melanoma [4][3] Research and Development - Liang Run-song's background in chemistry and molecular biology has shaped his focus on converting protein molecules into therapeutic agents for difficult-to-treat diseases [2] - The research team discovered that rapidly proliferating cancer cells have a heightened demand for specific nutrients, particularly certain amino acids, leading to the hypothesis that reducing these nutrients could inhibit cancer cell growth [10][3] - The development of BCT-100 involves injecting arginase to lower blood arginine levels, effectively starving cancer cells while sparing normal cells [3][11] Clinical Trials and Future Prospects - BCT-100 is currently in the third phase of clinical trials, with hopes for market availability in the near future [4][13] - The research team has also expanded their focus to metabolic diseases, developing a long-acting formulation of arginase, ABarginase, which shows promise in treating obesity and diabetes [5][15] - ABarginase has received recognition for its innovative design and is currently advancing through preclinical trials with support from Roche's accelerator program [6][5] Industry Context - The biotechnology startup ecosystem in Hong Kong is thriving, with a significant increase in the number of startups and a growing number of unicorns in high-growth sectors like biotechnology [7] - Liang Run-song emphasizes the importance of local support in terms of funding and facilities for the successful translation of research into clinical applications [8][19] - The establishment of the He Tao Innovation and Technology Park is seen as a potential hub for biotechnology development, providing essential resources for startups [19]