Li Ka-shing surprisingly ‘shows up’ at cancer treatment device donation ceremony

Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing participated in the donation of a liver cancer treatment device to the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) by making a surprise appearance through a video call today.

Li witnessed the donation ceremony of the device — “Edison” — held at Queen Mary Hospital on Tuesday as a special guest through the 3-minute video call. 

The tycoon waved to the audience and took photos with them virtually. However, he did not make any remarks. 

Edison, the ultrasonic tissue fragmentation (histotripsy) medical device, was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in October last year. 

The technology uses high-intensity ultrasound to destroy cancer cells and form microbubbles within the tumor. These bubbles rapidly expand and contract, producing shock waves to target tumor cells without damaging surrounding tissues.

According to the organizer, Li commented that treating cancer using Edison by forming microbubbles is fascinating and hoping that the transformative technology can reduce the burden on the medical budget. 

He also believes medical research and innovation can bring hope and economic prospects to the city.

Currently, Edison is only sold in the US, while Hong Kong will become the first place in Asia to introduce the histotripsy technology for clinical trials to offer liver cancer patients access to non-invasive, painless and highly effective treatment.

Li Ka Shing Foundation will sponsor ten liver cancer patients at Queen Mary Hospital to receive the Edison treatment and participate in clinical trials. The first patient in Hong Kong will receive therapy within this week, according to HKU.

It was learned that each liver cancer patient generally requires only one ultrasound tissue fragmentation treatment, and each procedure costs approximately USD 8,000 (about HK$62,400).

Professor Lau Chak-sing, Dean of HKUMED, expressed his gratitude to the Foundation for its generous donation and strong support to the Faculty over the years.

Another histotripsy technology system, also donated by the Foundation, will arrive in the city at the end of the year for the Faculty of Medicine of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). 

The device developer, HistoSonics, recently completed a USD 102 million Series D funding round, supported by investors including Johnson & Johnson, to expand clinical trials and device development.