BioTaiwan, an exhibition that showcases the nation’s biotechnology industry and matches buyers, researchers and local manufactures, opened in Taipei yesterday.
The four-day exhibition — dubbed Asia’s largest biotechnology fair with 600 exhibitors — is expected to attract 90,000 visitors, who are to see the latest developments in drugs and biopharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and medical devices and instruments
The visitors will also have the chance to gain an understanding of the investment and legal frameworks of the industry in Taiwan, as well as the development of science parks and incubation centers, the organizers said.
Taiwan Fertilizer Co (台肥) introduced its new bottled mineral water at the exhibition yesterday.
The state-run company said that the new bottled mineral water is among the fruits of its 20-year effort in biotechnology research.
The product is made from mineral-rich ocean water extracted from a depth of 200m off the coast of Hualien’s Chishingtan Beach, the company said.
The exhibition is being held jointly at the Taipei World Trade Center’s Nangang Exhibition Hall with the Taipei International Healthcare and Medical Cosmetology Expo, which highlights cosmetics products, equipment and herbal supplements.
On Wednesday, experts shared global trends in the sector at a two-day BioBusiness Asia Conference opened ahead of the exhibition, with Edgar Engleman, a founding member of the healthcare investment firm Vivo Capital LLC, saying that Taiwan’s strength lies in its medical care, but adding that the nation needs to improve its drug development, because often the first stage of clinical trials are conducted abroad.
David Flores, co-founder, president and chief executive officer of the industry information provider BioCentury Inc, urged a relaxation of regulations on clinical trials, while suggesting the need for the local capital market to become more open to global investment.
Flores, attending the conference for the third consecutive year, said there is growing competition among nations in their development of the biotechnology sector, adding that cross-border cooperation is key to pushing development forward.
TaiGen Biotechnology Co (太景生技) chief executive officer Hsu Ming-chu (許明珠) said the small size of Taiwan's pharmaceutical market means that local companies need to more actively seek opportunities for overseas expansion.
Enty to the exhibitions is free.
Additional reporting by Ted Chen
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