3/31 Taiwan Life Sciences Biweekly Newsletter
2025-03-31 |
| Taiwan Life Sciences Biweekly |
| Taiwan explores biotech and pharma collaborations with India 28 March, 2025 In a strategic move to strengthen its position in the global life sciences sector, Taiwan is actively seeking partnerships with India to counter China's dominance in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and innovation. A high-profile delegation from Taiwan, representing the Taiwan Industrial Biotechnology Association (TIBA), visited Hyderabad during the recently held BioAsia 2025 event to explore investment opportunities and collaborations with India's biotech and pharmaceutical sectors. More... |
| Taimed Biologics to launch global licensing push for long-acting HIV therapy 27 March, 2025 Taimed Biologics (TW: 4147) in a recent earnings call stated that its long-acting HIV maintenance therapy TMB-365/380 has met key clinical Phase IIa efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetic benchmarks, outperforming similar products already approved or under development by major international pharmaceutical companies. The company plans to actively pursue international licensing partnerships, emphasizing that TMB-365/380 has the potential to significantly change current HIV treatment methods and could become a blockbuster drug. More... (in Chinese) |
| Vetnostrum Animal Health secures animal drug approval 27 March, 2025 Targeting the US$500 billion annual pet industry, Vetnostrum Animal Health (TW: 6936), a subsidiary of YungShin Pharmaceuticals (TW: 3705), is set for strong growth. The company stated that with ongoing approvals for pet and livestock drugs, it aims for double-digit revenue and profit growth this year. Over the next two years, Vetnostrum Animal Health expects to receive multiple overseas drug approvals and plans to establish a production facility abroad within five years to strengthen its international presence. More... (in Chinese) |
| TWi Biotechnology's rare disease drug AC-203 enters Phase II/III clinical trials in 17 countries 26 March, 2025 TWi Biotechnology (TW: 6610) announced that its topical new drug AC-203, designed to treat Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex (EBS), has entered Phase II/III global clinical trials. Since enrolling the first patient in Australia in April of last year, the trial has expanded to 17 countries worldwide. EBS is a rare genetic disease with no currently approved drug. The company stated that AC-203 is the fastest-developing candidate drug for EBS treatment globally. Additionally, AC-203 has received orphan drug designations (ODD) in the US, the EU, and Taiwan, as well as rare pediatric disease designation (RPDD) in the US, and fast track status from the US FDA, highlighting its unique potential for EBS treatment. More... (in Chinese) |
| TaiGen's new influenza drug to begin clinical trials in China 23 March, 2025 TaiGen Biopharmaceuticals' (TW: 4157) China partner has submitted an IND application to China's NMPA for a pediatric formulation of TaiGen's antiviral influenza drug Pixavir marboxil, with clinical trials expected to start in the second half of the year. Addressing the shortage of pediatric-specific medications in Taiwan and China, where such drugs make up only about 2 percent of the Chinese market, TaiGen designed an oral suspension to improve dosing accuracy and adherence by considering taste, ease of swallowing, and weight-based dosing. More... (in Chinese) |
| Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Advances Minimally Invasive Surgery with Robotic Technology Press release 23 March, 2025 As the demand for surgical precision and faster patient recovery continues to grow, smart healthcare has achieved another major breakthrough. Since 2006, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital has pioneered the use of the Da Vinci Robotic Surgical Systems. By the end of 2024, the hospital had performed over 12,000 robotic surgeries, accounting for one-sixth of Taiwan's robotic procedures and cementing its leadership in the field. With its technical expertise and clinical achievements, Chang Gung is steering Taiwan into a new era of minimally invasive surgery worldwide with its robust healthcare system. More... |
| Taiwan Bio Therapeutics licenses new drug to Singapore's Senectus 21 March, 2025 Taiwan Bio Therapeutics (TW: 6892) announced that the licensing agreement for its new osteoarthritis drug, Chondrochymal, with its Singaporean partner Senectus has officially taken effect. Under the agreement, Taiwan Bio Therapeutics will transfer the technology only after receiving USD$30 million (approximately NT$960 million). Additionally, the company has secured a 20 percent stake in Senectus and a seat on its board, marking its entry into Southeast Asia as a stepping stone for expanding into the Asia-Pacific market. With this agreement Senectus gains exclusive rights to develop and commercialize Chondrochymal in the Asia-Pacific region, with Taiwan Bio Therapeutics remaining the sole global supplier of Chondrochymal, manufacturing clinical supplies for Senectus at mutually agreed prices. More... (in Chinese) |
| BenQ Medical Technology and Brain Navi align partnership to advance neurosurgical robotics in China 20 March, 2025 Taiwan-based startup Brain Navi Biotechnology, a leading innovator in neurosurgical robotics, has announced a strategic partnership with BenQ Medical Technology to introduce and commercialise the NaoTrac neurosurgical navigation robot in the Chinese market. This collaboration aligns with Brain Navi's 2025 globalisation strategy, prioritising localised partnerships to accelerate market entry and enhance clinical adoption. More... |
| OBIGEN Pharma, achieves Phase II interim analysis milestone for its novel botulinum toxin 20 March, 2025 OBI Pharma (TW: 4174) announced that its subsidiary, OBIGEN Pharma, achieved a key milestone in the interim analysis of its Phase II clinical trial for its novel botulinum toxin (OBI-858), demonstrating efficacy and safety in treating moderate-to-severe glabellar (frown) lines. The Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) endorsed a 20-unit dose for Phase III trials. Designed for both aesthetic and medical applications, OBI-858 is independently developed by OBIGEN Pharma and has secured patents in multiple countries, featuring a proprietary bacterial strain with innovative molecular weight and excipient design. More... (in Chinese) |
| KimForest Enterprise signs MOU with Illumina to develop AI-driven genomic interpretation platform 20 March, 2025 AI applications in biomedicine are flourishing, with success largely dependent on robust databases. Taiwan, benefiting from its comprehensive healthcare system and extensive medical databases, holds a strong advantage in AI-driven diagnostics. On March 20, leading genetic testing company KimForest Enterprise (TW: 6645) announced a partnership with Illumina's wholly-owned Taiwan subsidiary, signing an MOU to integrate its AI platform with large language models (LLM) and advanced AI algorithms. By leveraging the unique genetic background of the local population, the collaboration aims to train AI models and enhance the accuracy of whole genome sequencing (WGS) data interpretation. More... (in Chinese) |
| Primo Biotechnology partners with ABX to target the prostate cancer market 20 March, 2025 Primo Biotechnology officially announced a strategic partnership with Advanced Biochemical Compounds GmbH (ABX), headquartered in Germany, to advance the preparations for PB01 (Radelumin equivalent) in the Taiwanese market. Radelumin is an innovative diagnostic radiotracer specifically developed for prostate cancer patients and has been approved in France and several European countries. Through advanced PET/CT imaging technology, Radelumin-equivalent PB01 can accurately detect prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) expression, aiding in identification and monitoring. More... (in Chinese) |
| HCmed Innovations enters the US market 20 March, 2025 HCmed Innovations (TW: 6934) announced that its medical nebulizer product, Pulmogine, has successfully been shipped to the US market. The product will be used in conjunction with the biopharmaceutical dornase alfa (Pulmozyme), developed by Genentech, a subsidiary of Roche Group, for the treatment of cystic fibrosis patients. Pulmogine is HCmed Innovations' first portable continuous medical nebulizer, while dornase alfa is the only approved inhalable biopharmaceutical available globally. During treatment, patients can inhale the 3-5 micron-sized aerosol of dornase alfa through normal breathing, which reduces the viscosity of mucus in the lungs' airways, helping cystic fibrosis patients clear mucus and reduce the risk of airway infections. This combination product received FDA approval in February of last year. More... (in Chinese) |
| Cipla and Formosa sign multi-regional licensing deal for Clobetasol Suspension Press release 18 March, 2025 Taiwan-based Formosa Pharmaceuticals (TW: 6838) today announced an exclusive licensing agreement with Cipla Limited (BSE: 500087; NSE: CIPLA EQ) referred to as "Cipla" for the commercialization of clobetasol propionate ophthalmic suspension, 0.05% (APP13007). Under this agreement, Cipla has exclusive rights to market the innovative treatment for post-operative inflammation and pain following ocular surgery across 11 countries such as India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Myanmar, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Argentina, and Colombia. More... |
| EirGenix submits EG1206A clinical trial plan to Argentina regulatory authorities 17 March, 2025 EirGenix (TW: 6589) announced that it had submitted the Phase III clinical trial plan for EG1206A (pertuzumab biosimilar) to the Argentina National Administration of Drugs, Foods, and Medical Technologies (ANMAT). This product is aimed at treating early-stage and metastatic breast cancer. The drug has already completed Phase I clinical trials and is currently undergoing Phase III trials. EG1206A has been approved by the US FDA and the Taiwan FDA, and it is undergoing Phase III trials in multiple countries and centers. After completing Phase III trials, EirGenix plans to submit a drug registration review application to the relevant regulatory authorities. More... (in Chinese) |
| Energenesis Biomedical and Swiss company Medvisis sign MOU to jointly expand into European markets 17 March, 2025 Energenesis Biomedical (TW: 6657) announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Swiss pharmaceutical company Medvisis Switzerland AG. The two companies will collaborate on several projects to jointly expand into the European market. According to the MOU, Energenesis will grant Medvisis commercialization rights for three products: F703DFU, a gel for diabetic foot ulcers; F703VLU, a gel for lower limb venous ulcers; and F701, a topical spray for preventing abnormal hair loss. Medvisis will be responsible for conducting Phase III clinical trials, submitting regulatory applications, and marketing the products in the licensed regions. More... (in Chinese) |
| TaiMed Biologics' partner presents Ibalizumab HIV treatment research data at US conference 13 March, 2025 TaiMed Biologics' (TW: 4147) new drug partner, Theratechnologies, recently presented real-world observational registry study data today at the 2025 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in San Francisco, US. The data confirmed that Ibalizumab effectively and safely reduced HIV viral load to undetectable levels in heavily treatment-experienced (HTE) patients with multi-drug resistance. More... (in Chinese) |
| ========================================= |
| 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 2025 (23-27 July, 2025) ========================================= Taiwan Bio Industry Organization (TBIO) Room C229, Bldg. C, No.99, Ln. 130, Sec. 1, Academia Rd., Nangang Dist., Taipei, Taiwan (11571) ========================================= |