7/1 Taiwan Life Sciences Biweekly Newsletter
2024-07-01 |
| Taiwan Life Sciences Biweekly |
| Taiwan's Biotech Innovations Draw International Attention at BIO 2024 Press release 26 June, 2024 The 2024 BIO International Convention, the world's largest biotechnology event, took place in San Diego, USA, from June 3 to 6. This year's convention drew biomedical investors and research experts worldwide. Over 1,500 exhibitors showcased their innovations to more than 19,500 attendees from 70 countries. The Taiwan Pavilion garnered significant attention, holding over 400 meetings in four days and highlighting Taiwan's rising biotech industry. More... |
| Bora Pharmaceuticals acquires Emergent BioSolutions' Maryland facility 12 June, 2024 Taiwan-based Bora Pharmaceuticals has acquired a sterile manufacturing facility from Emergent BioSolutions, according to a June 20 press release. The 87,000-square-foot facility in Camden, Maryland, will have manufacturing services for sterile injectables and have four fill lines including lyophilization, vial filling and pre-filled syringe filling. The US$30 million agreement includes transferring assets, equipment and Emergent's established workforce of approximately 350 employees. More... |
| Optimistic about exosome business opportunities, Bionet builds global R&D center and factory 25 June, 2024 Bionet recently celebrated its 25th anniversary with a declaration from Chairman Tsai Cheng-Hsien, proclaiming Taiwan's unmissable exosome era. Leveraging 25 years of regenerative medicine expertise, Bionet unveiled its "Exosome Foundry," a global hub for exosome R&D and manufacturing. Tsai highlighted significant interest across healthcare, medical materials, pharmaceuticals, and skincare industries in next-generation exosome therapies and applications, bolstered by AI analysis and simulation technologies for global advancement and mutual benefit. At the milestone event, Tsai introduced three new products in exosome regenerative medicine: "Umbilical Cord Blood Exosomes," "PRE Platelet Exosomes," and "Mesenchymal Stem Cell Exosomes." Additionally, Bionet has partnered with THANN, an international luxury brand in fashion fragrance skincare sold in 21 countries, to introduce a stem cell exosome mask. Bionet also elevated PRP usage in regenerative medicine to exosome levels with the new PRE (Platelet-rich Exosome), surpassing traditional PRP in growth factor concentration and anti-inflammatory capabilities. More... (in Chinese) |
| Adimmune subsidiary Enimmune partners with UnicoCell Biomed to Develop Medical Aesthetic Products 25 June, 2024 Edimmune Biotechnology (TW: 6564), a subsidiary of Adimmune (TW: 4142), announced that it is entering the field of regenerative medicine by signing an agreement with Unicocell Biomed. Initially, they will jointly develop exosome-based medical aesthetic products and may further expand into the regenerative medicine sector in the future. Unicocell Biomed, which was listed on the Innovation Board in May this year, focuses on the research and application of stem cell technology. The company hopes to collaborate with domestic and international biomedical research units to jointly develop new stem cell drugs and stem cell technology applications. Since exosomes are derivatives of stem cells and have been proven through research to have anti-aging and revitalizing effects, they are seen as a future trend in the development of medical aesthetic skincare products. Starting in July, the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration will adopt a case-by-case review approach to lift the ban on the use of human-derived cells and tissues for skincare product development. This makes Taiwan, following Japan and South Korea, one of the countries conditionally allowing exosome ingredients in medical aesthetic skincare products. More... (in Chinese) |
| Taiwan, UK stage medical cooperation workshop 25 June, 2024 The second Taiwan-U.K. health technology assessment workshop was held June 24-25 in Taipei City, underscoring the two sides' commitment to jointly advancing medicine. The National Health Insurance Administration, which is overseen by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and its Center for Health Policy and Technology Assessment organized the event in cooperation with the U.K.'s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the NHIA said. More... |
| GlycoNex Enhances Global Intellectual Property Estate for GNX102 with Patent Approvals in Japan, South Korea, Russia and Taiwan Press release 24 June, 2024 GlycoNex (TW: 4168), a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the development of glycan-directed cancer therapies, today announced that multiple global patents have been issued for GNX102 in Japan, South Korea, Russia and Taiwan. These patents follow the previous granting by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) of US Patent No. 1440967 to GlycoNex for composition of matter claims for GNX102. More... |
| Bio Preventive Medicine's kidney disease biomarkers endorsed by international medical authorities, striving to be included in kidney disease prevention guidelines 24 June, 2024 Bio Preventive Medicine (TW: 6810) announced that at the recent American Diabetes Association Annual Meeting (ADA 2024) in Orlando, an independent study highlighted their kidney disease biomarker, DNlite-IVD103, which effectively distinguishes between different DKD phenotypes in Type 2 diabetes, striving for inclusion in kidney disease prevention guidelines. This validation underscores DNlite's robust testing capabilities in diabetes precision medicine, addressing current urine albumin (UACR) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) deficiencies. The study received significant attention and positive feedback from attendees, despite Bio Preventive Medicine's absence at ADA this year. Furthermore, Bio Preventive Medicine noted recent collaboration progress, having signed a memorandum of understanding with South Korean listed company Boditech to integrate DNlite-IVD103 into Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) products with Korean partners, targeting over 500 million global diabetes patients for disease management and telecare opportunities. More... (in Chinese) |
| TaiRx high-dose injectable receives Taiwan FDA drug certification 22 June, 2024 TaiRx (TW: 6580) announced that it had developed a high-dose selenium injection method, obtaining drug certification from Taiwan's FDA in May. Primarily for critically ill patients, the company aims for National Health Insurance coverage by Q3 this year. General Manager Chien Du-Shieng in an announcement said that the company is targeting medical centers, projecting sales of 50,000 vials in year one, with plans for growth. TaiRx also disclosed progress on anticancer drug CVM-1118, using CVM-1125 to develop Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADC) with existing antibodies, showing promising animal trial results. TaiRx seeks partnerships for the ADC market and highlights their 2018 approval of Zelnite for selenium deficiency treatment. More... (in Chinese) |
| Veritas Biomedical's nuclear medicine products forge a new frontier in the pharmaceutical industry 20 June, 2024 Veritas Biomedical, formerly known as Jisheng Life Sciences, is actively preparing for its public stock offering after completing its final round of capital increase and acquiring a 3,000-square-meter industrial land in Miaoli. This acquisition is intended to serve as its future base for developing new nuclear medicine products and production facilities, aiming to become the first domestically-listed PIC/S GMP pharmaceutical factory specializing in nuclear medicine products. With nuclear medicine products seen as a new frontier in the pharmaceutical industry, international pharmaceutical firms have been aggressively entering this field, with multiple acquisitions totaling over US$10 billion in the past year alone. More... (in Chinese) |
| Taiwan's National Health Insurance Administrations evaluates digital therapeutics products coverage 20 June, 2024 The National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) is evaluating the inclusion of various digital therapeutic products under health insurance coverage. Last year, the NHIA covered its first AI medical device, used for monitoring high-risk surgical patients, which can predict hypotension 15 minutes before it occurs, effectively reducing postoperative complications and hospital stay durations. As of April this year, there have been 394 reimbursement claims. Despite the potential of digital technology to enhance care efficiency and improve treatment outcomes, Taiwan remains relatively conservative in digital applications. While Taiwan excels in wafer manufacturing and is a crucial supplier in the global AI industry chain, the lack of comprehensive reimbursement mechanisms may deter investors, potentially limiting Taiwan to manufacturing AI components rather than advancing digital applications, despite the government's recent efforts to promote industry development. More... (in Chinese) |
| CHC Healthcare's irradiation plant opens; first food and agriculture, then biomedical and aerospace 19 June, 2024 CHC Healthcare (TW: 4164) announced that its Shin-ho Biotech Irradiation Plant has officially commenced operations, securing sterilization orders from the agricultural and food industries and initiating testing services for the electronics and aerospace sectors. The next phase will focus on medical device industry clients, collaborating with Taiwanese companies to connect with international markets. CHC Healthcare revealed that the state-of-the-art, high-energy irradiation plant, built with a NT$1 billion investment, is Asia’s first of its kind, offering sustainable irradiation technology with no radiation residue or chemical carcinogens, applicable across various packaging types. The Belgian IBA Rhodotron TT300 Duo dual-source accelerator used in the plant provides electron beam (E-beam) and photon (X-ray) irradiation, ensuring safe sterilization for food safety by replacing toxic ethylene oxide sterilization. Beyond consumer industries, this technology will serve the biotech and medical device sectors, especially with the increased demand for sterile medical supplies following the passage of the Regenerative Medicine Act. More... (in Chinese) |
| Syngen Biotech collaborates with Leeuwenhoek Laboratories and National Taiwan University Hospital to develop next-generation probiotic products 19 June, 2024 Syngen Biotech (TW: 8279) and Leeuwenhoek Laboratories have announced their partnership to develop next-generation probiotic products with the National Taiwan University team. They focus on Akkermansia muciniphila (AKK), an anaerobic bacterium, for disease prevention and treatment. Leeuwenhoek Labs with the National Taiwan University Medical College, has screened over 110 AKK strains from healthy Taiwanese individuals, establishing the world's second-largest AKK strain database. Syngen will leverage its industrial-scale process capabilities to accelerate AKK product development, having established an anaerobic production line for trial production. This collaboration aims to advance microbial technology, delivering innovative products to the global health market. More... (in Chinese) |
| AnnJi Pharmaceuticals' new drug AJ302 for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy receives FDA approval for Phase I clinical trials 17 June, 2024 AnnJi Pharmaceuticals (TW: 7754) announced that its innovative drug AJ302 for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) has secured FDA approval for Phase I clinical trials. According to a RESEARCH AND MARKETS report, the CIPN treatment market is estimated to be US$1.65 billion this year, projected to reach US$2.25 billion by 2028, with an 8 percent compound annual growth rate. AnnJi stands out as one of the few domestic companies covering research from translation to pre-clinical and clinical stages. Its small molecule drug AJ201 for treating Kennedy's disease was licensed to Avenue Therapeutics for over US$250 million in 2023, marking one of the largest rare disease drug licensing agreements in recent years. More... (in Chinese) |
| NHIA, Google unveil AI diabetes care program 14 June, 2024 The National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) and Google has announced a five-year collaborative program to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) into the risk management of chronic diseases, which is unprecedented in Taiwan and also Google’s first collaboration with a national government in the healthcare field. More... |
| Ennostar's Subsidiary, Amengine, Receives Certification for HRV Medical Software 14 June, 2024 Ennostar's successful venture into biotechnology sees its subsidiary, Amengine, providing biophotonic solutions. The company has announced the successful development of Taiwan's first medical software utilizing mobile phone camera lenses for Heart Rate Variability (HRV) analysis. After clinical trials, it has shown a high consistency of over 95 percent with electrocardiograms and has obtained approval from the Ministry of Health and Welfare. According to statistics from the National Health Insurance Administration, 2.8 million people seek medical attention for mental disorders annually. However, societal stigma and lack of awareness often lead to underreporting. Studies suggest that HRV analysis can serve as an indicator for assessing mental and physical conditions. In response, Amengine has introduced its Heart Rate Variability Analysis Software to enable doctors to understand patients' daily mental and physical fluctuations. More... (in Chinese) |
| Kaohsiung Chang Gung and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University discover new gene for smooth brain syndrome 12 June, 2024 Patients with underdeveloped cerebral folds often face developmental delays and growth challenges. Following their discovery of the CEP85L gene for lissencephaly (smooth brain syndrome) in 2020, the collaborative team from Kaohsiung Chang Gung Hospital and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University has found another gene, NDEL1. Professor Tsai Meng-Han of Kaohsiung Chang Gung Hospital explained that gyri, or convolutions on the brain surface, are crucial for cognitive development. Lissencephaly, characterized by a smooth brain surface, affects around 12 in a million newborns, many of whom don't survive into adulthood. Survivors often have limited cognitive abilities, severe developmental delays, and epilepsy. In severe cases, basic functions like language, swallowing, or walking may be impaired. More... (in Chinese) |
| Lin BioScience's new drug for Stargardt disease in adolescents receives certification to expedite approval from Japan authorities 12 June, 2024 Biotech firm Lin BioScience announced today that its subsidiary, Belite Bio, has received certification from Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW) for its new drug LBS-008, targeting Stargardt disease in adolescents. This certification aims to expedite the approval process for new drugs targeting severe diseases lacking effective treatment methods in Japan, facilitating rapid market expansion in the future. More... (in Chinese) |
| Taiwan's Lotus Pharma acquires Teva Pharma Thailand, expanding footprint in Southeast Asia 12 June, 2024 Taiwan-based Lotus Pharmaceuticals has announced the acquisition of the Thailand business and commercial entity of Teva pharma. The acquisition is targeted for completion by Q3 2024. Upon finalization, Teva Pharma Thailand will transition into a wholly owned subsidiary of Lotus and Lotus will undertake the sales and marketing of existing products of Teva Pharma Thailand. More... |
| GeneReach Biotechnology enters Brazilian market, the fourth largest tilapia market worldwide 11 June, 2024 GeneReach Biotechnology (TW: 4171) is adapting to changing market dynamics post-COVID-19 by innovating its business model and expanding into new markets as testing dividends decline. Partnering with Brazilian agents, the company has introduced a Francisella piscicida rapid test kit for tilapia, targeting Brazil's significant tilapia market. In the PCR segment, GeneReach has gained traction in Southeast Asia with solutions for livestock disease testing. Meanwhile, in aquaculture, the company is addressing the Taura Syndrome Virus threat in Asian shrimp farming countries. With a new product launch in Brazil coinciding with the Southern Hemisphere winter, GeneReach aims to reduce losses for tilapia farmers and enhance international competitiveness. 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) ========================================= |