Sergei, a 34-year-old Russian physics professor, has diagnosed a rare and dangerous small cell cancer of the maxillary sinus. Seven sessions of chemotherapy and immunotherapy not only failed to contain his condition, but instead caused his eyesight to deteriorate and his teeth to fall out. Until he learned from the patient community, Lecheng, Boao, Hainan, has the only institution in mainland China that can carry out BNCT clinical treatment.
In May of this year, Sergei traveled thousands of miles to the Pengbo (Hainan) Boron Neutron Hospital. There was no surgery, no burning sensation from radiation therapy, only the low buzz of the device — after 30 minutes, the treatment was over. He had no obvious adverse reactions after surgery and was in a good state of mind.
Sergei was not the only one. Since receiving medical treatment in March of this year, Pengbo Hospital has completed clinical treatment of nearly 50 cases of BNCT. According to the three-month follow-up data for the first batch of 10 head and neck cancer patients, the objective remission rate (ORR) reached 80% — 4 complete remission and 4 partial remission. This is the first time that Chinese BNCT clinical data has been publicly shown on the international stage. However, these patients are all terminal head and neck cancer patients that cannot be surgically removed or have recurred at an advanced stage. The ORR for traditional chemotherapy or targeted therapy is usually only 10% to 20%.
The Zhitong Finance App learned that on September 2, Peng Bo Hospital, a subsidiary of China Biotechnology Service Holdings (08037), officially signed an agreement with Hong Kong's top oncology institution OncoCare (OncoCare) to establish a two-way referral mechanism. As a member of Tianma Medical Group, Ankang Medical has five centers in Central and Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, serving more than 20,000 patients a year. The group has achieved deep collaboration in the medical networks of Singapore, mainland China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. The two sides will establish a full chain of “overseas assessment+domestic treatment+overseas follow-up” service — Hong Kong doctors will first conduct remote MDT consultation and evaluation, patients who meet the guidelines will fly directly to Hainan to receive BNCT treatment, and the Hong Kong team will follow up on rehabilitation and follow-up after surgery.
Liu Xiaolin, chairman of the board of directors of China Biotechnology Service, said at the signing ceremony that the core of cooperation between the two sides is four things: a green channel for international diagnosis and treatment collaboration, normalization of international MDT, joint scientific research and real-world research, talent development and academic exchanges. “Today's agreement was signed with trust, but also responsibility.”
Another important aspect of this cooperation is to open up the “last mile” of cross-border medical treatment. Many patients are concerned about follow-up after treatment in a foreign country — who will follow up the condition? Who will handle the follow-up tests? The collaboration between Peng Bo and OncoCare accurately addresses this pain point: patients are “cared for” by Hong Kong professional doctors throughout the process from initial screening and treatment to post-operative recovery, and they are still supervised and asked when they return home.
Relying on the Hainan Free Trade Port visa-free policy and the advantages of licensed medical treatment in the Lecheng Pioneer Zone, Pengbo Hospital's international patient channel is being broadened. Consultation appointments have reached thousands of people, including patients from the US, Vietnam, Indonesia, etc. With OncoCare's brand influence and patient network in Southeast Asia, Pengbo Hospital is expected to attract more patients from Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, etc. — complete initial screening and evaluation locally, go to Hainan for treatment through the green channel, and continue to be followed up by OncoCare's team of doctors after surgery. This is a new model of cross-border medical care where “patients don't get lost, doctors are constantly connected”.
Commercial insurance is covered simultaneously, and the burden on patients is further reduced. In July 2025, China Biotech Services signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with AXA Hong Kong, AXA Global Reinsurance, Qianhai Re and Anrui Garr to jointly develop an inclusive medical insurance product covering the cost of BNCT treatment. In April of this year, the first domestic BNCT special medical insurance product was officially released. Coupled with the improved commercial insurance system coverage in the Hong Kong and Singapore regions of this cooperation, more patients will be able to receive this cutting-edge treatment at a lower financial threshold.
Earlier, Pengbo Hospital also signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Beijing United Family Hospital Management Co., Ltd. to carry out in-depth cooperation to further expand BNCT's service network in the domestic medical market.
From Russia to Southeast Asia, from Hong Kong to the national medical network, this cutting-edge technology known as the “fifth cure for cancer” is gradually reaching global patients by relying on the platform advantages of Hong Kong listed companies.