Development Center for Biotechnology

SAN DIEGO, May 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2024 edition of BIO International Convention 2024 (BIO), the world's largest and most comprehensive global biotech event, will be held from June 3 to 6 at San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, California. Taiwan has been an active participant in the event since 2002, presenting the technological excellence and business opportunities of Taiwan's biotech industry internationally over the years. Following the success of previous editions, the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries Promotion Office (BPIPO) will continue to participate in BIO 2024 by organizing a Taiwan delegation. Continue Reading The Taiwan Pavilion attracted a continuous stream of visitors. Along with BPIPO, which is responsible for the coordination and organization of the delegation, the group includes government representatives and legal entities such as the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the National Science and Technology Council, the National Development Council, the Academia Sinica, the Industrial Technology Research Institute, the Development Center for Biotechnology and Taiwan Bio Industry Organization, the Taiwan External Trade Development Council and Taipei City Government, together with over 60 delegates and multiple accompanying companies and organizations. On the one hand, the delegation aims to present the innovative landscape of Taiwan's biotech and healthcare industry and bring cutting-edge technologies and products to the international arena, and on the other hand, it also strives to pursue technological or commercial partnerships that will help Taiwan's biotech companies to expand their business operations both regionally and globally. Related article: Taiwan's Biotech Brilliance Shines at BIO 2023: Unveiling Cutting-Edge Discoveries and Strategic Partnerships Diverse Advantages that Promote Biotech and Healthcare Development As the center of the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, Taiwan serves as an essential hub connecting Europe, the United States, Japan, and other emerging markets in the region. Various surveys have shown that Taiwan ranks among the world's leaders in economic freedom, digital competitiveness, and global competitiveness, making it one of the most attractive locations for multinational corporations and investors to establish branches or even regional headquarters. In terms of medical services, Taiwan has one of the world's leading healthcare and health insurance systems, providing high-quality, accessible, and affordable care to the public. According to the Health Care Index announced in February 2024 by Numbeo, a global database website, Taiwan has been ranked first in the world for five consecutive years. With the vision of "Health for All Ages 2030," the Taiwanese government is committed to promoting the development of regenerative medicine and precision medicine, encouraging corporate investment in biotechnology, as well as pursuing cross-sector collaborations and international exchanges. Remarkably, with its world leadership in the ICT industry and abundant R&D capacity, Taiwan provides an excellent platform for advancing medical technologies, such as digital medicine, AI-assisted drug discovery, and medical AI. Meanwhile, Taiwan has established several comprehensive bioclusters in the northern, central, and southern regions, covering various areas including drug discovery, small molecules and biologics manufacturing, medical devices, in-vitro diagnostics, agricultural biotechnology, and health supplements. Moreover, Taiwan is gradually developing a reliable clinical trial environment and robust trial capacity thanks to its well-established medical centers and hospitals. These strengths, together with Taiwan's strong regulatory compatibility and intellectual property protection, enable Taiwan to create a more integrated ecosystem for the life sciences industry, thereby making it the "best partner in Asia", a prime destination for global biotech market players. Taiwan Pavilion as a Stage for Taiwan's Biotech Industry to Shine in BIO 2024 Under the theme of "Time for Science to Shine," BIO 2024 is anticipated as an exciting gathering of over 20,000 industry elites, researchers, healthcare professionals, and investors across the globe. The Taiwan delegation is looking forward to showcasing Taiwan's diverse advantages to all participants and helping Taiwan's biotech and healthcare industries shine in the international arena through this grand event. Carrying forward the proven success of previous years, the Taiwan delegation will continue to set up the Taiwan Pavilion at BIO 2024 this year. Delegates encompass a wide range of cutting-edge fields such as biotechnology (including agricultural biotechnology), new drug discovery (including small molecule drugs and biologics), precision health, medical devices, smart health, and CDMO, along with multiple governmental, academic, research, and medical organizations and industry associations, jointly demonstrating Taiwan's achievements in the cooperation between the industry, government, academia, research, and healthcare sectors. During the 4-day event, the delegates will showcase their innovative technologies and solutions in the Taiwan Pavilion. They can also leverage this unique platform to engage in one-on-one business partnering sessions, seeking to establish links with leading international companies and investors, building an international R&D collaboration network, and boosting Taiwan's presence in the global biotech community. As an opportunity to promote networking and interactions between the delegates and global biomedical professionals, BPIPO also welcomes all prospective collaborators and investors to visit the Taiwan Pavilion located at Booths 1817 and 1917 and join the Opening Ceremony and Happy Hour on June 3, 2024, 16:30-17:30. Related article: 2023 Precision Medicine Industry Policy White Paper Paves the Way for Biotechnology in Taiwan SOURCE The Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries Promotion Office (BPIPO)

The MAGICAL-ISR study will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the sirolimus DCB in treating ISR, with focus specifically on patients who avoid TLF within one-year post-procedure Concept Medical starts patient enrolment for MagicTouch system’s IDE study. (Credit: National Cancer Institute on Unsplash) Drug delivery technology provider Concept Medical has enrolled the first patient in investigational device exemption (IDE) MAGICAL-ISR study of its MagicTouch system. MagicTouch is a sirolimus drug coated balloon (DCB) system designed to manage in-stent restenosis (ISR) in coronary artery disease. The DCB has previously received both breakthrough device designation and IDE approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The enrolment of the first patient took place at the AtlantiCare Institute in Atlantic City, New Jersey. MagicTouch is said to offer a controlled and sustained release of sirolimus during coronary intervention. It functions like a drug-eluting stent but without a permanent scaffold. MAGICAL-ISR study is intended to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of this sirolimus DCB in treating ISR. It will focus specifically on patients who avoid target lesion failure (TLF) within one-year post-procedure. The trial started under the guidance of Martin Leon, Azeem Latib, and Ajay Kirtane. Study chair and New York-based Cardiovascular Research Foundation founder Martin Leon said: “We are thrilled to announce the first enrolment of the MAGICAL-ISR study featuring the MagicTouch Sirolimus drug-eluting balloon technology. “This momentous clinical trial will herald an era of safe and efficacious DEB therapy under a variety of clinical and anatomic circumstances to complement and improve the management of complex obstructive coronary disease for our patients in the US.” The Florida-based Concept Medical claims that MagicTouch as the world’s first sirolimus drug-coated balloon. It has been used in Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and all other regions internationally where the CE Mark is accepted. Concept Medical founder and managing director Manish Doshi said: “The MagicTouch technology has been embraced globally, and its entry into the US market through this study, represents a critical step towards addressing the unmet needs in ISR treatment. “Our commitment to innovation and patient safety is unwavering, and we anticipate this study will significantly impact how ISR is treated worldwide.”

Most people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes measure their blood glucose levels multiple times daily with an invasive finger-prick test. The prick test stings a bit for a short time, but the aggravation of acquiring, carrying, and remembering to use the gear is even more irksome. Lakka Health, a Finish health tech company, filed a study design to evaluate a new, non-invasive sensor-based technology to detect low blood sugar this spring. DCB (Diabetes Center Berne) Research AG is the study sponsor. The study will be conducted in collaboration with University Hospital Inselspital, Berne. Instead of measuring blood glucose levels directly, the Lakka study will use the company’s Sorku wearable armband device to measure volatile organic compounds (VOCs) discharged through the skin. According to Lakka Health, when the blood glucose level falls too low or drops fast, diabetics emit specific VOCs. Lakka patented a temperature cycle operation (TCO) that boosts the sensitivity and selectivity of extremely low-concentrated VOCs by ramping the temperature. The clinical study’s first aim is to ascertain the VOC signal characteristics the Sokru device detects when Type 1 diabetes patients fast, inject insulin, and intake glucose. The study’s second objective is to determine if VOC concentrations correspond to various glycemia levels, from hypoglycemia to hyperglycemia. It’s important to note that the Sokru test is a first-level clinical study, with just 10 participants in a single group model. If Lakka Health’s Sokru first clinical evaluation results indicate valid and reliable associations between blood glucose levels and specific VOC emissions through patients’ skin, further testing will be in order. The potential upside is a passive, non-invasive blood glucose testing method that could simplify the lives of people with diabetes. Or not. We look forward to seeing the results of the Sorku study.