Taiwan broadens its biotech horizon

July is Taiwan's biotech month. The consensus on the statement is the result of efforts of Taiwan Bio Industry Organization, which has been successfully organizing BioTaiwan for the last four years.

Continuing the tradition of hosting "the biotech exhibition in the Asia Pacific region" and showcasing the developments in Taiwanese biotechnology industry, Taiwan Bio Industry Organization organized the fifth edition of the event BioTaiwan 2007 at Taipei World Trade Center.

Government organizations and institutions like Science & Technology Advisory Group, Industrial Development Bureau, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries Program Office, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industrial Technology Research Institute, have joined hands with the associations like Kaohsiung Biotechnology Association, Ching–Kang Foundation for Pharmacy Promotion to support Taiwan Bio Industry Organization in organizing BioTaiwan 2007.

This four-day international exhibition attracted business visitors from India, Malaysia, Australia, Japan, China, USA and other countries.

The idea behind organizing Bio Taiwan-an annual event held during July-is to increase public awareness and interest in biotechnology, build biotech concepts in younger generation, and encourage them to get involved in biotechnology. At the same time, it introduces local biotech industry to overseas state-of-the-art biotech R&D projects and venture capital firms and helps foster co-operation between countries.

Though the exhibition divided into various segments does not attract many of Taiwan's significant 'real' biotechnology companies a good number of healthcare, nutritional, cosmetic and herbal medicine companies were spotted at the event. The universities from Taiwan having biotechnology and life sciences divisions, and incubation centers were seen showcasing the courses on offer. The exhibition attracted students, consumers and professionals. According to organizers, the 2007 edition has attracted tens and thousands of visitors to over 800 booths.

Talking about the exhibition, Mr Andy Ladwig, Managing Director, E2joy, an equipment solutions provider for laboratories, life sciences and pharmaceutical companies in Taiwan said, "Taiwan is witnessing lot of activities in biotechnology, basic research, and CRO space. This exhibition provides a platform to share and exhibit the latest developments happening in Taiwan."

The event had parallel sessions on different topics including symposium on multinational trials in the Asia Pacific region, innovation & regulations for pharmaceutical combination products, biotech investment opportunities, niche market and scientific research of phytomedicine and supplements, cutting edge biomedical technologies in anti-aging and aesthetic medicine, theory of GTP labs construction and maintenance. The symposiums were more in local languages so that the local industry could benefit.

Narayan Kulkarni in Taipei