First of Its Kind Investment Opportunity for Asia-Based Oncology Technology Start-Ups

HONG KONG, CHINA - Media OutReach - 4 August 2020 - The Asian Fund for Cancer Research (AFCR) is now acceptingapplications from oncology start-ups for the Bridging Research fromAcademia to Cancer Entrepreneurship (BRACE) Award Venture Competition. The event and program uniquely supports Asian entrepreneurs'cancer technology commercialization and start-up business efforts.

The BRACE Award Venture Competitionoffers financial and other support to oncology companies which most biopharmaceuticalcorporations and investors deem as at too early a stage, including thoserecently spun-out of cancer research laboratories. The program avails participantsto potential investment and cash awards, key opinion leaders, insightfulfeedback from life sciences industry figures, increased visibility andcredibility, and opportunity to further tap into AFCR's extensive globalnetwork.

Accepted BRACE Award VentureCompetition applications will be reviewed by a selection committee comprised ofleading cancer researchers and industry executives, investors and entrepreneurs.Additionally, all accepted applications will have the opportunity to showcasetheir companies and technologies in a short video to be voted on by the publicas the "People's Choice." Top applicants as determined by the selectioncommittee, along with the winning applicant of the online voting, will advanceas semi-finalists.

The semi-finalists will deliver virtualprivate and confidential presentations to a world-class judging committee, andtwo finalists will be selected and granted cash prizes of HK$10,000. Among thefinalists, professional due diligence will be performed in determining theBRACE Award Venture Competition winner, which will receive up to HK$2,000,000 inequity investment from AFCR and be announced and featured at the BIOHK2021 internationalconvention-- scheduled for 10-13 March 2021 in Hong Kong.

"With the BRACE Award VentureCompetition and infusion of investment into its winner, AFCR aims to raiseawareness of the importance of accelerating commercialization of cancer researchinnovations that could save patients' lives" says Asian Fund for CancerResearch Chief Executive Officer Sujuan Ba, Ph.D. "We also hope to build upcritically needed ecosystems helping life sciences entrepreneurs throughout theAsia-Pacific region."

"The BRACE Award VentureCompetition is an important addition to our region's cancer technology andbiomedical industry environment, fostering ideas and approaches on the cuttingedge of research" expressed AFCR Chairman of the Board GaryWong, a partner of Hugill& Ip Solicitors, which is one of the event sponsors."Few sources are willing to invest in high risk, pre-clinical start-ups and,through the BRACE program, our organization is proud to be in the lead."

Learn more about the BRACE Award VentureCompetition and apply before 31 August at https://afcr.org/en/brace-award/.

About the Asian Fund for Cancer Research

The Asian Fund for Cancer Research (AFCR) is anon-profit organization committed to curing cancers that have significantimpacts on Asian populations. Headquartered in Hong Kong, AFCR is uniquelypositioned to implement in Asia the newest cancer research discoveries andtechnologies from around the world, investigate the distinct causes of cancerin Asian populations through innovative genetic and molecular research, anddevelop more effective therapies tailored to the region's cancer patients. Formore information, visit https://www.afcr.org.

About Hugill & Ip Solicitors

Hugill & IpSolicitors is an independent law firm providing bespoke legal advice andexceptional client service to individuals, families, entrepreneurs andbusinesses, in Hong Kong and internationally. Hugill & Ip provides highquality legal services with integrity, professionalism and respect for clientsand the community. For more information, visit https://www.hugillandip.com.

About BIOHK2021

BIOHK2021 is the upcoming annual internationalconvention organized by the Hong Kong Biotechnology Organization, introducing novel,state-of-the-art biotech innovations from around the globe, with the purpose ofproviding an extensive platform to allow pioneers of the industry to convene.From infectious diseases like COVID-19, to the latest cancer treatments anddiagnostics, BIOHK2021 will cover relevant and timely topics in biotechnology.For more information, visit https://bio-hk.com.