Spanish biotech company Progenika Biopharma is considering setting up a joint venture with a Taiwanese partner with the aim of penetrating the China market, the Council for Economic Planning and Development (CEPD) said yesterday.
The council, which led a delegation to Spain late last month to promote the nation’s investment environment and encourage foreign companies to come to Taiwan, said the Spanish company would send representatives to survey the local market soon.
Progenika, which specializes in personalized medicines and developing DNA biochips for diagnosis, prognosis and the prediction of responses to treatment of complex human illnesses, is interested in entering Asian markets, especially China, the council said.
The council added that the Spanish company was considering using Taiwan as a springboard into China in light of the advancements in Taiwan’s biotechnology development.
Progenika, which employs more than 140 scientists, has established production bases in the US, Mexico and Europe and sells its products in the US, Europe and the Middle East.
As for potential locations for Progenika’s Taiwan-bound investment, the council has recommended the Southern Taiwan Science Park (南部科學園區) or the Hsinchu Biomedical Science Park (新竹生醫科學園區).
The Spanish company has shown greater interest in the Hsinchu park, as it is closer to the proposed Taoyuan Aerotropolis, one of the government’s major investment areas, the council said.
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