HKUST-Nurtured Healthtech Startups PanopticAI and SmartCare

Two healthtech innovators nurtured by The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) - PanopticAI Limited (PanopticAI) and SmartCare Technology Co Limited (SmartCare), have entered a landmark collaboration with Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong (Gleneagles). Witnessed by Prof. Nancy IP, President of HKUST; Dr. Prem Kumar NAIR, Group Chief Executive Officer of IHH Healthcare; and Dr. Patrick LAU, Deputy Executive Director of Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the tripartite collaboration agreement signing marks a strategic effort to deploy AI-powered smart clinic solutions at Gleneagles MediCentre, set to launch in late 2025. The partnership exemplifies the commitment of both HKUST and Gleneagles to translating research excellence into real-world applications with a view to facilitating healthcare advancements through the University’s robust entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Under the agreement, PanopticAI (an HKUST spin-off) and SmartCare (born from HKUST’s Department of Computer Science and Engineering) will integrate their cutting-edge technologies into Gleneagles MediCentre, a new day procedure center in Admiralty. The collaboration shared among the three parties aims to implement advanced AI technology in healthcare delivery through the development and implementation of AI-assisted digitalization of clinical workflows to enhance service and operational efficiency and offer seamless, personalized patient experience. 

This tripartite partnership involves the integration of PanopticAI’s camera-based vital signs monitoring technology and SmartCare’s patient-centered consultation platform powered by multimodal large language model into the development of an integrated solution for Gleneagles MediCentre. Key features of the smart clinic solution in the initial phase of the partnership include AI-powered interfaces and processes that will take care of patients before they attend the clinic, such as the provision of virtual client servicing, online pre-checkin, patient triage and more. The solutions to be piloted at Gleneagles MediCentre will serve as a blueprint for potential expansion across Gleneagles’ network of clinics and other services.

As a global leader in innovation and entrepreneurship, HKUST provided critical support to both startups through its incubation programs, mentorship, and seed funding. PanopticAI emerged from HKUST’s interdisciplinary research in biomedicine and AI, while SmartCare was developed within the University’s SmartLab led by Professor Hao Chen, Assistant Professor from the Department of Computer and Engineering, leveraging breakthroughs in multimodal large language models and clinical workflow enhancement.

Professor Nancy Ip, President of HKUST said, “This partnership exemplifies HKUST's commitment to advancing societal progress through: (1) the strategic integration of cutting-edge innovation and AI-driven technological transfer, and (2) our longstanding tradition in entrepreneurial education.By equipping visionary ventures like PanopticAI and SmartCare with AI-optimized resources, entrepreneurial mentorship, and global platforms, we amplify the synergy between pioneering research and real-world healthcare transformation. This approach ensures that breakthroughs in artificial intelligence from conceptualization to scalable, life-changing solutions.”

Dr. Kenneth TSANG, Regional Chief Executive Officer of IHH Healthcare North Asia and Chief Executive Officer of Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong, said, “As part of IHH Healthcare, one of the world’s largest healthcare service providers, Gleneagles is committed to continuously elevating patient care and experience through innovation and strategic partnership. This collaboration with PanopticAI and SmartCare to develop and implement the AI-powered smart clinic solution underscores our efforts in future-proofing healthcare services whilst meeting patients’ expectation of excellent healthcare. By integrating advanced digital solutions and cutting-edge technology into our clinical workflows, we are not only enhancing service and operational efficiency but also redefining the future of patient-centered healthcare.” 

Dr. Kyle WONG, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of PanopticAI, who earned his PhD in Bioengineering from HKUST, said, “PanopticAI is immensely proud to continue our collaboration with Gleneagles, alongside SmartCare, as we embark on this transformative journey to redefine patient care. This partnership is a powerful demonstration of Hong Kong's vibrant HealthTech ecosystem. More than just integrating our advanced camera-based vital signs monitoring, we are excited to serve as an AI transformation partner to Gleneagles, co-developing a series of smart clinic solutions for the new MediCentre. Our shared goal is to leverage cutting-edge AI to create a truly seamless and personalized patient experience, enhance clinical efficiency, and ultimately delivering better care for the people of Hong Kong.”

Dr. Justin Cheng, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of SmartCare, who is studying for his PhD in Computer Science and Engineering at HKUST, said, “At SmartCare, we harness AI to transform healthcare delivery into a seamless journey for patients and clinicians. Our platform integrates advanced large language models to optimize clinical workflows, supporting clinicians from consultation through follow-up care. By enabling clinicians to prioritize patient interaction while automating administrative tasks, we elevate care quality and efficiency. Partnering with Gleneagles empowers us to pioneer a future where technology fosters personalized, value-driven solutions that improve outcomes and patient satisfaction holistically. Together, we are setting a new standard for innovation that prioritizes both patient well-being and clinical excellence.”

The signing ceremony of the tripartite collaboration agreement was held at the Asia Summit on Global Health 2025, co-organised by the HKSAR Government and HKTDC. HKUST is the Thematic Session and Health Innovation Partner of the Summit.