A real estate investment firm based in Hong Kong has launched its first U.S. outpost in Boston, focused on life sciences and helmed by a former JLL executive vice president.

Matthew Powers will be CEO of Nan Fung Life Sciences Real Estate, a subsidiary of privately held, Hong Kong-based real estate development and investment conglomerate Nan Fung Group. Nan Fung Life Sciences has $1.5 billion capital commitment from Nan Fung Group to invest into life sciences and has invested in 46 portfolio companies to date, the company said in an announcement.

“We see this as an important next step in expanding Nan Fung’s footprint in Life Sciences,” Nan Fung Life Sciences Chairman and Nan Fung COO Vincent Cheung said in a statement. “Nan Fung recognizes the unique real estate needs of the life sciences sector and this announcement highlights our commitment to providing best-in-class solutions to life sciences tenants.”

The company’s Boston office will be its “flagship” as it aims to acquire, develop and manage life sciences-related properties in “innovation-driven” markets across the United States, the company’s statement said.

“Our intimate understanding of both life sciences and real estate is our core advantage as we develop solutions which accommodate the future needs and opportunities of our clients. Our goal is to have NFLSRE employ the same thoughtful, high quality and methodical approach for which Nan Fung Group is known for around the globe,” Powers said in a statement.

Prior to Nan Fung, Powers was executive vice president at JLL, where he led the company’s New England life sciences practice.

“Having spent my entire career as a real estate professional in the life sciences industry, I am committed to having a team that will have a unique understanding of the unmet real estate needs of life sciences organizations. The Nan Fung global network of business platforms offers unrivaled solutions to our clients across their entire business lifecycle,” Powers said in a statement.