2/5 Taiwan Life Sciences Biweekly Newsletter
2024-02-05 |
| Taiwan Life Sciences Biweekly |
| Anbogen Secures 12.5 Million in Series A Funding, Advancing Precision Oncology Drug Development Press release 1 February, 2024 Anbogen Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company specializing in groundbreaking cancer drug development, today announced the successful completion of its Series A funding round. The lead investor is China Development Industrial Bank (CDIB), with significant contributions from Taian Venture Capital, Maxpro and the National Development Fund (Business Angel Investment Program, and Implementation Project for Strengthening Investment in SMEs), with a total investment of approximately 12.5 million. The raised capital will be directed towards the ongoing development of Anbogen's two main drug candidates, ABT-101 and ABT-301. It is worth mentioning that both of these candidate drugs were supported by the National Research Program for Biopharmaceuticals (NRPB) before Anbogen took over. With the continued endeavor from Anbogen, these candidate drugs are steadily advancing in clinical trials for evaluation of their efficacy. More... |
| Taiwan's Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, UST collaborate on pioneering telomere study 29 January, 2024 The Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital and Medical Center in Taiwan have joined forces with the University of Santo Tomas [in the Philippines] to embark on a clinical study of telomeres. Telomeres, often described as the guardians of gene stability, are specialized DNA repeats found at the ends of chromosomes. Their length gradually shortens with each round of chromosome replication, and when they become too short, it triggers cell death. This unique biological phenomenon allows the length of telomeres to function as a clock for cell division, providing insights into an individual's biological age. More... |
| Ocean of opportunity: Taiwan biotech firm ramping up R&D efforts to push the potential of fucoidan 26 January, 2024 A Taiwanese biotech firm specializing in seaweed-based ingredients is studying its fucoidan-polysaccharide to expand its potential in the cosmetics market. More... |
| Formosa Pharmaceuticals Announces Licensing Agreement with Cristália, for the Commercialization of APP13007 for the Treatment of Inflammation and Pain Following Ocular Surgery Press release 26 January, 2024 Taiwan-based Formosa Pharmaceuticals ("Formosa", 6838.TWO) announced today that the company has entered into a licensing agreement with CRISTÁLIA PRODUTOS QUÍMICOS FARMACÊUTICOS LTDA ("Cristália"), for exclusive Brazilian rights to the commercialization of APP13007 (clobetasol propionate ophthalmic nanosuspension, 0.05%) for the treatment of inflammation and pain following ocular surgery. APP13007 is currently under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has been assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date of March 4, 2024. The licensing deal includes upfront, development milestones, and sales royalties, with additional considerations throughout the term of the agreement. More... |
| Taiwan AI customer service enters Southeast Asian medical market 25 January, 2024 aiwanese technology company Osense on Wednesday (Jan. 24) signed a strategic partnership with MYWAM, Malaysia's largest provider of software solutions for clinics and medical centers, to promote its Qubby AI dialogue business platform in Southeast Asia. More... |
| New AI system from NTUH/NTU shows high accuracy in diagnosing pancreatic cancer 24 January, 2024 Pancreatic cancer spreads rapidly and has a high mortality rate, and is known as the King of Cancers. However, up to 40 percent of pancreatic cancers smaller than 2 centimeters in early stages go undetected on computed tomography (CT) scans. To address this clinical challenge, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University collaborated to develop the world's first artificial intelligence CT diagnostic assistance system for pancreatic cancer. Clinical verification shows an accuracy rate of over 90 percent, capable of detecting approximately 80 percent of pancreatic cancers smaller than 2 centimeters, providing a crucial opportunity for effective treatment. More... (in Chinese) |
| Merck Signs MoU with Mycenax Biotech to Drive Innovation in Bioprocessing Technology 24 January, 2024 Merck, a leading science and technology company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mycenax Biotech to bring innovative and high-capacity bioprocessing solutions to Taiwan and other international markets. The agreement includes the integration of Merck's BioContinuum™ Platform in the entire bioprocessing spectrum for Mycenax's customers, followed by automation and digitalization of processes. More... |
| PharmaEssentia aims to ensure profitability this year 24 January, 2024 PharmaEssentia (TW: 6446) announced that it expects to obtain approvals for BESREMI (P1101) for polycythemia vera in China and Singapore/Malaysia in mid-year. The company will also initiate Phase III clinical trials for early-stage bone marrow fibrosis and venture into new areas such as cell therapy. CEO of PharmaEssentia, Lin Ko-Chung, stated that while they may not make a lot of money in 2024, they are confident about turning a profit. More... (in Chinese) |
| PharmaEngine anticipating US certification for pancreatic new drug first-line cancer therapy 24 January, 2024 PharmaEngine (TW: 4162) announced that the US drug certification results for the first-line use of the pancreatic cancer drug Onivyde, licensed by partner Ipsen, are expected to be released in mid-February. If Ipsen successfully obtains US drug certification, it will enhance PharmaEngine's existing certifications in Europe and Taiwan. More... (in Chinese) |
| National Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University and Taipei Veterans General Hospital collaborate for clinical validation for innovative medical devices 24 January, 2024 Taipei Veterans General Hospital and National Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding, officially initiating substantial collaboration between the Medical Engineering Department of Taipei Veterans General Hospital and the Medical Device Innovation and Translation R&D Center at National Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University. In the future, they will gradually initiate multiple clinical collaboration projects, according to the announcement. More... (in Chinese) |
| Chang Gung Medical Foundation announces clinical trial collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim 23 January, 2024 Chang Gung Medical Foundation announced that it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Boehringer Ingelheim for clinical trial collaboration in the area of small cell lung cancer. They aim to jointly advance clinical trials, focusing not only on cancer but also on several other major areas, including diabetic nephropathy and schizophrenia. This marks the first time Chang Gung has signed a clinical trial agreement across its entire medical system. The Foundation stated that providing the best healthcare to the public is crucial for both the people and the future development of healthcare in Taiwan, and that the collaborative strategy aims for a win-win situation, aligning clinical treatment, diagnosis, and drug application in Taiwan with international standards. More... (in Chinese) |
| Lumosa Therapeutics initiates enrollment for Phase II trials of new acute ischemic stroke drug in six European countries 23 January, 2024 Lumosa Therapeutics (TW: 6535) has received approval for the multicenter Phase II clinical trial of its new drug, aimed at treating acute ischemic stroke, in six European countries. The regulatory review for conducting clinical trials has been successfully completed in all six countries, leading to the initiation of patient enrollment in these European nations. On the 23rd, the stock opened high, surged, and hit the daily trading limit at NT$114.5, reaching a historic high. More... (in Chinese) |
| Fullhope Biomedical joins forces with Kaohsiung Medical University for cell therapy project 22 January, 2024 A collaborative cell therapy project between Fullhope Biomedical and Kaohsiung Medical University's Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital has received approval from the Ministry of Health and Welfare. In addition to the previous approval for CIK (Cytokine-Induced Killer) therapy in April 2022, the current approval is for autologous immune cell gamma delta-T cell (GDT) therapy for advanced cancer. The approved treatment program covers six types of cancer, including breast cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, and pancreatic cancer. It is expected to start accepting cases in the third quarter of this year. More... (in Chinese) |
| Ever Supreme Bio Technology announces international stem cell joint venture 20 January, 2024 Ever Supreme Bio Technology (TW: 6712) announced today that it has jointly established a joint venture with the UK testing company Minerva Scientifics and US biotech company Axeon Research LLC. Ever Supreme holds a 48.78 percent stake in the joint venture and plans to license its umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell UMSC01 patented technology to the joint venture. In return, Ever Supreme will receive a non-refundable initial licensing fee of US$3 million. The company aims to expand internationally by venturing into the global cellular industry through this technology transfer licensing. 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 2024 (24-28 July, 2024) ========================================= Taiwan Bio Industry Organization (TBIO) Room C229, Bldg. C, No.99, Ln. 130, Sec. 1, Academia Rd., Nangang Dist., Taipei, Taiwan (11571) ========================================= |