Herbs key for Taiwan's biotech sector

ANCIENT REMEDIES Analysts say that the nation's biotechnology companies could profit from pharmaceuticals developed using traditional Chinese herbal medicines

By Bill Heaney / STAFF REPORTER

Other Taiwanese companies could follow this route.

"Our business model works," Cathay's chairman, David Wu (鄔之盛), said.

While awaiting FDA approval Cathay is exploring other avenues, Wu added. In Taiwan, Cathay's approved over-the-counter liver tonic, called YGK (醫肝康), is readily available in pharmacies. And WHO and UN-monitored trials in Southern Africa, where HIV infection rates are very high, could circumvent the FDA process on that continent.

If successful, the drug would be paid for by international humanitarian donations.