To showcase the nation's capabilities in developing the biotech sector, nearly 300 local and foreign companies are participating in the 16th Taipei International Show on Medical Equipment, Pharmaceuticals & Bio-technology, or Mediphar Taipei, which runs until Sunday.
Held at the Taipei World Trade Center Exhibition Hall I, the four-day expo started yesterday. It features over 600 booths and will be opened to the public, with free entry, on the weekend.
PHOTO: SEAN CHAO, TAIPEI TIMES
"As one key industry to gain the government's active support, the sector generated NT$130 billion (US$3.9 billion) in output value last year," said Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁), director-general of the Department of Health, at an opening ceremony yesterday morning.
The nation's medical equipment exports have seen double-digit growth annually since 2000, when most sectors were affected by the economic downturn, Chen added.
He expressed optimism that by combining the manufacturing industry's cutting-edge technology and the electronics sector's R&D strength, Taiwan will make strides in biotech development.
In addition to showcasing the exhibitors' latest medical equipment, health care and rehabilitation products, the exposition also features 50 medical seminars, according to co-organizer the Formosan Medical Association (台灣醫學會).
As the largest expo of its kind in Asia, the show is expected to draw over 35,000 visitors, including physicians from around the nation, according to the association.
Dailycare Biomedical Inc (
Its handheld electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor allows users, especially cardiac patients, to record their ECG signals. The data stored in the built-in memory can be transferred to personal computers via a USB connection. The device hence enables doctors to keep track of patients' cardiac figures and can effectively reduce heart attack fatalities, according to Dailycare.
Other prize-winning products include an intubation scope by Medical Intubation Technology Corp (
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