Top university research, cross-border data exchanges and access to mainland China’s large market have attracted Japanese firm Rohto Pharmaceutical to conduct clinical trials in Hong Kong, making it the first company from the country to partner with the city’s government under a flagship investment initiative.
Rohto, known for its over-the-counter eye care and skincare products, is among the latest batch of 18 firms recruited by the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES), a government unit under the Financial Secretary’s Office tasked with attracting companies of strategic importance to Hong Kong.
Kunio Yamada, chairman and representative director of Rohto, told the South China Morning Post in an exclusive interview that Hong Kong’s top research capabilities and proximity to the mainland attracted the firm to expand in the city.