8/28 Taiwan Life Sciences Biweekly Newsletter
2023-08-28 |
| Taiwan Life Sciences Biweekly |
| Digital health faces regulatory challenges: Pan-Chyr Yang, VP of IBMI 25 August, 2023 Dr. Pan-Chyr Yang, vice president of IBMI and academician of Academia Sinica, said on 23 August that artificial intelligence and precision medicine are the most important trends in the healthcare industry in the near future, and that Taiwan should develop precision health for every age. However, the adoption of digital technology in precision medicine and smart healthcare is facing the dilemma that described 'best game but no one played', and it is suggested that technology companies should not try to develop "total solutions" at once, but should solve healthcare problems one step at a time. More... |
| DeepMets by Taiwan AI Labs to deploy in Southeast Asia 24 August, 2023 Taiwan AI Labs announced yesterday (23 August) that Taiwan's smart healthcare achievements have once again gained international recognition, with DeepMets, an artificial intelligence (AI) software developed in Taiwan, successfully obtaining an official approval from Vietnam, and entering the Southeast Asian healthcare market, which has a population of 500 million. More... |
| Ever Supreme Bio Technology applies for clinical trial for its immune cell therapy drug in the US 22 August, 2023 Ever Supreme Bio Technology (TW: 6712) announced that it has formally submitted an application to the US FDA for a Phase I/IIa clinical trial for its highly-anticipated allogeneic immune cell therapy drug, CAR001 (CAR-T) as a novel treatment for advanced refractory/relapsed solid tumors. More... (in Chinese) |
| DSFederal and Taipei Medical University Forge Partnership to Promote Innovation in Data Science Technologies 22 August, 2023 DSFederal, Inc., a government-focused leader in data science and digital solutions, and Taipei Medical University (TMU), a top-ranked biomedical higher education institution, announced the establishment of a Biomedical Informatics Partnership Program (BIPP) to promote innovation, global relationships, and international collaboration. The partnership provides a sustained opportunity for doctoral candidates at TMU's Graduate Institute of Biomedical Informatics (GIBI) to collaborate with their DSFederal counterparts in experimenting with new data science technologies and platforms and conducting innovative data-driven services pilots focused on the healthcare research and life sciences markets. More... |
| Unexpected Ingredients for Enhancing Beauty Products: Geothermal Bacterial Byproducts 21 August, 2023 As consumers become more environmentally conscious, the demand for sustainable and eco-friendly options in the beauty industry has seen a significant rise. ITRI's geothermal bio-ingredients offer an environmentally-conscious beauty solution that addresses this need. The incorporation of geothermal bacterial byproducts in hair and skincare products has proven to greatly enhance its penetration and absorption rates, reducing the reliance on synthetic chemicals that can be harmful to both humans and the environment. More... |
| Grape King Bio to focus on growing healthy aging and women's health markets in China 21 August, 2023 Grape King Bio will focus on its healthy aging and women's health nutrition portfolios in China, which it believes are two sectors poised for growth in the country. The Taiwan-based company develops its raw ingredients and finished products in the home market. In mainland China, however, it is solely providing OEM/ODM services, where it formulates health foods in formats such as liquid sachet, liquid glass bottles, powder sachet, tablet, coffee capsule, and more recently, into jellies and gummies. More... |
| TTY Biopharm Executive Outlines Strategies for Advancing Taiwan's mRNA Research 18 August, 2023 In light of the global awareness brought on by the coronavirus pandemic regarding the potential of mRNA drugs and lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) on human immunity, industry leaders are recognizing LNP technology's ability to enhance mRNA drug delivery. The improvement in efficiency is heralding a new frontier in prevention and treatment options, positioning LNPs as a groundbreaking new generation of therapeutic agents. With these emerging opportunities in mind, the Tang Prize Foundation hosted the Tang Prize Taiwan Biotechnology Forum, inviting 5th Tang Prize laureates in Biopharmaceutical Science, Katalin Kariko, Drew Weissman and Pieter Cullis, to explore the evolving landscape of mRNA technologies with Distinguished Research Fellow at the Institute of Biological Chemistry at Academia Sinica (AS) Andrew H.-J. Wang, Deputy Minister of the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Yi-Juang Chern, and CEO of TTY Biopharm Sara Hou. Ms. Hou, a key voice in the industry, articulated three pivotal areas of focus: addressing unmet medical needs, forging strategic partnerships, and securing government support. More... |
| Bora acquires six US brand product licenses, rights 18 August, 2023 Bora Pharmaceuticals has acquired six brand product licenses, rights and process technologies in the US for US$38.5 million, and expects them to start contributing to revenue in the fourth quarter of this year, the company said in a filing with the Taiwan Stock Exchange yesterday. Bora's board of directors approved the deal with Morristown, New Jersey-based Almatica Pharma Inc, as the Taiwanese firm moves into the brand product market to diversify risks away from generic drugs, the filing said. More... |
| BNT, Taiwan hospital sign MOU on development of novel cancer drugs 17 August, 2023 Taipei Veterans General Hospital announced it signed a memorandum of understanding with the German biotech firm BioNTech (BNT) Thursday on cooperation in the development of precision medicines for cancer treatment. Under the MOU signed in Taipei, BNT will establish a clinical trial facility in Taiwan to conduct research and development into new medications and biomedical technologies, the hospital said in a press release issued that day. More... |
| Japanese agency approves Lotus' blood cancer drug 17 August, 2023 Lotus Pharmaceutical Co has received approval from Japan's Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency for its generic version of blood cancer drug Revlimid (lenalidomide), boosting its shares by as much as 3.54 percent in early Taipei trading yesterday. More... |
| Taiwan university develops AI-powered muscle loss measurement software 16 August, 2023 National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) has developed AI-powered software capable of measuring age-related progressive loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia) that NCKU said can serve as an early warning system encouraging patients to seek treatment. Sarcopenia, a condition usually associated with aging and patients receiving chemotherapy for cancer, can increase the likelihood of falls and fractures. When detected early, however, it can be improved through diet and rehabilitation, Tsai Yi-shan, director of the clinical innovation and research center at the Tainan-based university, said at a press conference Tuesday. More... |
| Formosa Pharmaceuticals Announces Licensing Agreement with Eyenovia, Inc., for the Commercialization of APP13007 for the Treatment of Inflammation and Pain Following Ocular Surgery Press release 16 August, 2023 Taiwan-based Formosa Pharmaceuticals (TW: 6838) announced today that the company has entered into a licensing agreement with Eyenovia, Inc., whereby Eyenovia obtains exclusive US rights for the commercialization of APP13007 (clobetasol propionate ophthalmic nanosuspension, 0.05 percent) for the treatment of inflammation and pain following ocular surgery. APP13007 is currently under review by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has been assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date of March 4, 2024. The total deal package, including upfront payment and development and sales milestones, has a value of US$86 million dollars, with additional considerations throughout the term of the agreement. More... |
| National Cheng Kung University's iMbody system approved by TFDA 16 August, 2023 After taking the lead among tertiary institutions for the approval of sales and design manufacturing of medical devices last year, National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) has become the first R&D institute to obtain a Class II medical device clearance from Taiwan's FDA this year for its cross-disciplinary artificial intelligence healthcare research and development achievement, namely the "iMbody" system. More... |
| Locus Cell expands internationally, forms alliance with Minaris from Japanese ies 16 August, 2023 Locus Cell (TW: 6891) announced that it has initiated a partnership with the Japanese multinational group Minaris. Locus announced that the company has a cellular therapy client in Taiwan aiming to enter the international market. This collaboration with Minaris will assist the company in advancing CAR-T clinical trials. In the future, they will mutually support applications for clinical trials with the US FDA and the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA). More... (in Chinese) |
| Healthcare Systems Consortium visited Czech to promote AI in healthcare 15 August, 2023 unghai University has joined hands with five major hospitals, including Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Tungs' Taichung Metroharbor Hospital, and Taichung Armed Forces General Hospital, to develop the Healthcare Systems Consortium (HSC) to develop AI medical technology, and to push forward smart healthcare through the bilateral cooperation between Taiwan and the Czech Republic. More... |
| Global Coalition for Adaptive Research and Polaris Group Announce Commencement of ADI-PEG 20 in GBM AGILE Trial Press release 15 August, 2023 Global Coalition for Adaptive Research (LARKSPUR, CA) and Polaris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (SAN DIEGO, CA), a subsidiary of Polaris Group (TW: 6550) -- The Global Coalition for Adaptive Research (GCAR) in collaboration with Polaris, today announced the activation of ADI-PEG 20 in GBM AGILE (Glioblastoma Adaptive Global Innovative Learning Environment - NCT03970447). GBM AGILE is a revolutionary patient-centered, adaptive platform trial for registration that evaluates multiple therapies for patients with newly-diagnosed and recurrent glioblastoma (GBM) - the deadliest form of brain cancer. More... |
| Taiwan CDMO national body forms alliance with US-based National Resilience 14 August, 2023 Taiwan's government plans to invest NTD6 billion in a national-level Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) company - Taiwan BioPharmaceutical Manufacturing Company (TBMC). Although still in the fundraising stage, there have been reports that it will collaborate with the American company National Resilience to license nucleic acid drug technology to Taiwan. This collaboration will assist Taiwan in achieving international certification and will promote a model of biopharmaceutical cooperation between Taiwan and the United States. Former Vice Premier Shen Rong-jin of the Executive Yuan announced at the closing ceremony of the Biotechnology Industry Strategy Advisory Board (BTC) in September of last year that the government would lead the investment in the CDMO company. After nearly a year of planning, this national-level CDMO company has gradually taken shape. Its operational model not only emulates that of TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company), but its English name "TBMC" is similar to "TSMC." Since its establishment in May of this year, TBMC currently has a paid-in capital of NTD750 million and a total capital of NTD6 billion. More... (in Chinese) |
| U-Neuron Biomedical partners with Canada's VLSC Group, signing MOU to enter the medical aesthetics care market 14 August, 2023 U-Neuron Biomedical (TW: 6973) announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Canada's VLSC Biomedical Corporation. U-Neuron Biomedical will collaborate with the VLSC Group to sell and promote their amniotic stem cell exosome medical aesthetic maintenance products in Canada, marking an entry into the largest North American medical aesthetic maintenance product market. The companies will also cooperate in clinical trials for regenerative medical products. U-Neuron Biomedical has patented US technology for isolating and culturing amniotic stem cells, and it is a global pioneer in researching deer and sheep amniotic stem cell exosome cosmetic maintenance product ingredients. The company has successfully obtained the world's first INCI number for deer and sheep amniotic exosomes, becoming internationally recognized as a cosmetic maintenance product ingredient. U-Neuron Biomedical also offers a series of amniotic stem cell preparations capable of conducting allogeneic regenerative therapy, which attracted VLSC to sign the cooperation MOU. The collaboration will encompass the launch and sales of medical aesthetic maintenance products, as well as clinical trials and production of regenerative medical products. More... (in Chinese) |
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| Taiwan Bio Industry Organization (Taiwan BIO) Contact: Daisy Tsai Tel: +886 2 27836028 ext 14 FAX : +886 2 27836027 Mobile: +886 933-139647 | Line ID : daisy222 Email: daisy@taiwanbio.org.tw BIO Asia-Taiwan July 26-30, 2023 ========================================= Taiwan Bio Industry Organization (TBIO) Room C229, Bldg. C, No.99, Ln. 130, Sec. 1, Academia Rd., Nangang Dist., Taipei, Taiwan (11571) ========================================= |