Ricky Chiu Yin-to, the founder of the biotech firm Phase Scientific, is currently working on a diagnostic breakthrough aimed at making cervical cancer screening more accessible. The company is utilizing proprietary sample-concentration technology to develop a non-invasive, urine-based test for the human papillomavirus (HPV). This initiative is part of the broader context of the Spirit of Hong Kong Awards, which highlights local innovators.

Phase Scientific previously established its market presence during the Covid-19 pandemic. The company developed the Indicaid rapid antigen test, which received emergency-use authorization from the United States in July 2021. Following this regulatory approval, the product was widely deployed in Hong Kong’s community testing programs and distributed across more than 30 countries. The current focus on cervical cancer screening represents a shift toward addressing chronic health issues using the same technological foundation developed during the pandemic.