05/11 Taiwan BIO Weekly
2026-05-11 |
| Taiwan BIO Weekly |
| IL-10 gene therapy boosts immune attack against liver cancer in mice 8 May, 2026 Researchers at National Taiwan University have developed a liver-directed IL-10 gene therapy that strengthens cancer-fighting immune cells and suppresses liver tumors in mice. The treatment also generated long-lasting immune memory cells that remained in the liver after tumors disappeared. More... |
| Acer Medical partners with New Eye to expand presence in Thailand 6 May, 2026 Amid the global challenges of an aging population and uneven distribution of healthcare resources, Acer Medical (TW: 6857) continues to drive the adoption of AI-powered smart healthcare solutions in clinical settings. The company has recently partnered with Upsynergy and Thailand-based ophthalmic equipment market leader New Eye to establish an integrated platform in Thailand encompassing advanced ophthalmic devices, the VeriSee AI-assisted diagnostic system, and telemedicine services. The collaboration aims to inject new momentum into Thailand's healthcare system and build a cross-border smart healthcare ecosystem. More... (in Chinese) |
| Protect Biotech's PT401 approved in Thailand for trial launch targeting pet heart disease market 6 May, 2026 Protect Biotech (TW: 7850) announced that its animal gene therapy candidate PT401 has received approval from Thailand's Chulalongkorn University's IACUC to launch a pilot field trial in Thailand for dogs with Stage B1 myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD), marking a new step in its early-intervention strategy for pet heart disease. The company is advancing pivotal trials in Taiwan for regulatory approval while conducting early-stage intervention studies in Thailand aimed at improving valve degeneration and potentially delivering disease-modifying benefits. With the global pet healthcare market projected to reach US$7.73 billion by 2034, Protect Biotech is positioning itself in a fast-growing niche segment. More... (in Chinese) |
| Hologic Taiwan Ltd. wins at Healthcare Asia Medtech Awards 2026 5 May, 2026 Hologic Taiwan Ltd. won the Screening Program Innovation Award - Taiwan in the Healthcare Asia Medtech Awards 2026 for its initiative that promotes earlier breast cancer screening and highlights the benefits of 3D mammography. The program supports Taiwan's broader push to reduce cancer morbidity by 30% by 2030 under the Healthy Taiwan initiative. With breast cancer screening rates remaining below 40% nationwide, the need for improved access and stronger public awareness became critical. Hologic Taiwan Ltd. responded by introducing a scalable screening program that combines mobile mammography services with education and policy engagement. More... |
| Taiwan to launch smart health expo in Geneva during WHA 5 May, 2026 The foreign ministry announced Tuesday that it will hold a smart medical and health technology expo in Geneva, Switzerland, from May 17-19. The event will coincide with the World Health Assembly, which runs from May 18-23. Yeh Chih-cheng, director-general of the foreign ministry's Department of International Cooperation and Economic Affairs, said at a press conference that the Taiwan External Trade Development Council organized the expo at the ministry's request. More... |
| How Alvin Luk Plans to Turn HanchorBio into a Global Immunology Contender 5 May, 2026 Few areas in biotech have inspired as much excitement -- and disappointment -- as CD47 immunotherapy. The biology is compelling, but many programs have stumbled because the same mechanism that helps immune cells attack tumors can also trigger serious anemia and other safety problems. More... |
| Subsidiary Sunway Biotech to Acquire Weider Global Nutrition Acquisition Completes Bora Group's Dual-Engine Growth Strategy Across Entities Press release 5 May, 2026 Bora Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (TW: 6472; OTCQX: BORAY) announced that the Board of Directors of its subsidiary Sunway Biotech Co., Ltd. (TW: 1271) has approved the acquisition of 100% of Weider Global Nutrition, an iconic American sports nutrition brand headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. The transaction follows Sunway's strategic investment in Wonders Company Ltd. in August 2025 and represents a deliberate transformation toward owning high-value distribution assets and exploring nutraceutical substance CDMO opportunities. Key channel assets to be acquired include a strategic supplier relationship with US Costco, a commercial presence across more than 60 countries, and established e-commerce positions on Amazon and Walmart. More... |
| UnicoCell BioMed presents oral report at ISCT Annual Meeting on cell therapy treatment ELIXCYTE-CKD Press release 5 May, 2026 UnicoCell BioMed (TW: 6794) announced that its ELIXCYTE-CKD Phase I/II clinical trial results for an allogeneic adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell therapy in chronic kidney disease have been selected for oral presentation at the 2026 Annual Meeting of the International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy (ISCT). The event, held 6-8 May in Dublin, Ireland, is one of the most influential global conferences in the cell and gene therapy field, gathering over 3,000 experts from more than 60 countries. The company will present on 8th May in the mesenchymal/stromal cells session, and is the only Taiwanese company selected for an oral presentation in that track. More... (in Chinese) |
| Applied BioCode gains US FDA clearance for new respiratory diagnostics, partners with Thermo Fisher Scientific to tap US$2B market 4 May, 2026 Applied BioCode (TW: 6598) announced that its flagship 20-target respiratory pathogen panel (RPP), used in combination with Thermo Fisher Scientific's KingFisher nucleic acid extraction system, has received US FDA clearance for market approval. The company targets the growing respiratory infection molecular diagnostics market, estimated at US$2 billion. The company aims to provide high-value diagnostic solutions for high-risk populations, including nursing home residents, immunocompromised patients, cancer patients, post-transplant patients, pneumonia patients, infants, and school-aged children. More... (in Chinese) |
| XtalPi -Enabled PharmaEngine PEP08 Achieves Enrollment Milestone, with Second Synthetic Lethality Program Underway Press release 4 May, 2026 XtalPi (HK: 2228), a leading AI- and robotics-powered innovation platform, today announced dual breakthroughs in its strategic partnership with [Taiwan's] PharmaEngine (TW: 4162) PEP08, a next-generation PRMT5 inhibitor discovered via XtalPi's platform, has successfully begun enrollments in a Phase I solid tumor trial, achieving a new clinical milestone. Built upon the success of PEP08 at the drug discovery stage, the two companies initiated a second project, targeting a different undisclosed synthetic lethality mechanism. More... |
| Adimmune gains strong momentum with major Sanofi order and Halal certification 4 May, 2026 Adimmune (TW: 4142) announced that its second automated fill-and-finish production line has successfully passed Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) inspection by the US FDA. The company has also officially received notice from its long-term CDMO partner Sanofi that dual-line production will begin simultaneously in June this year, doubling annual production capacity to 10 million doses. At the same time, Adimmune's influenza vaccine has successfully obtained HALAL certification, providing strong momentum for the company’s expansion into Southeast Asia and the global Muslim market. More... (in Chinese) |
| Lotus Pharmaceuticals launches Nintedanib for pulmonary fibrosis across 30 global markets 4 May, 2026 Lotus Pharmaceuticals (TW: 1795) announced on the 4th of May that its nintedanib soft capsules (100mg and 150mg) for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis have successfully been launched in global markets, marking an important milestone in strengthening the company’s specialty pharmaceutical and complex generic drug portfolio. Lotus Pharmaceutical noted that nintedanib has previously been approved by European regulatory authorities, Health Canada, and the Taiwan FDA. It has also recently received approval from the US FDA. The product is now successfully marketed in 30 countries worldwide, including North America, major European markets, and Taiwan. More... (in Chinese) |
| Taiwan-France biotech cooperation reaches new milestone as Taiwan BIO and France Biotech sign MOU 1 May, 2026 On April 30 in Paris time, witnessed by Taiwan's representative to France Hao Pei-chih, the Taiwan Bio Industry Organization (TBIO) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with France Biotech. The agreement was signed on behalf of TBIO by Dr. Grace Yeh and by France Biotech Chairman Frederic Girard, with both sides pledging to actively deepen cooperation in biotechnology, healthcare, innovative R&D, and industry exchange between Taiwan and France. Following TBIO's cooperation MOU with Switzerland in 2023, France has become the second European country with which Taiwan’s biotech sector has established deep institutional ties. More... (in Chinese) |
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