BIO Asia-Taiwan’s 2024 Awards Announced: 19 Industry Leaders Recognized

The Taiwan Bio Industry Organisation (TBIO) announced the 2024 Taiwan BIO Awards winners, highlighting innovation across the biotech sector. Categories included the “Industry Gold Award,” the “Potential Benchmark Award,” the “Outstanding New Startup Award,” and the “Annual Industry Innovation Award.” These awards recognize and celebrate exceptional achievements in biotechnology, emphasizing the growth and future potential of Taiwan’s biotech industry on a global stage. 

Industry Gold Award Winners

TBIO announced the winners of the 2024 Taiwan BIO Awards at BIO Asia-Taiwan. This year’s awards highlight and encourage innovation within the biotech sector. Notably, they introduced a new category, the “Outstanding New Startup Award.” This category recognizes biotech companies established for less than eight years. These companies demonstrate significant innovation in their operations and research and development. After a rigorous three-month process of initial screening, re-evaluation, and final judgment, 19 organizations and product technologies won. Consequently, this showcases the industry’s commitment to innovation and growth.

First, the “Industry Gold Award” recognized three standout companies. Lotus Pharmaceuticals earned praise for its “2×2: Dual Market Expansion, Dual Product Development” growth strategy. The company achieved record highs in revenue, profit, and dividends in 2023. It expanded operations from Asia to a global scale while maintaining core technologies in Taiwan. Next, PharmaEssentia developed the first-line interferon for polycythemia vera (PV). It also established Taiwan’s first protein drug GMP factory, approved by both the US FDA and the European EMA. Moreover, its rare blood cancer drug, BESREMi® (ropeginterferon alfa-2b-njft), is expected to surpass $3 billion in revenue. Lastly, Bonraybio received recognition for its LensHooke® brand. This brand offers a comprehensive solution for male infertility and is marketed in over 52 countries. The company focuses on user-friendly, automated, and standardized products, driving its leadership in the male reproductive field.

Potential Benchmark Award Winners

The “Potential Benchmark Award” honored companies with strong research and future development potential. Among the winners were Pharmosa Biopharm Inc., known for its innovative liposome-based slow-release formulations that provide convenient home treatment with reduced side effects. TSH Biopharm Co. Ltd., established in 2010, has rapidly expanded its business through acquisitions and is now a rising star in the biotech industry. Following, Steminent Biotherapeutics Inc. (SBI), specializing in stem cell-based drug development for rare neurological diseases, has advanced its Stemchymal® product through phase II clinical trials. Onyx Healthcare Inc., with over ten years in medical computing, focuses on AI medical imaging development and remote medical integration systems. Finally, BenQ Dialysis Technology Co., Ltd, Taiwan’s sole blood dialysis device brand, has achieved a 40% penetration rate in local hospitals and continues to grow internationally with a 20% annual increase.

Outstanding New Startup Award Winners

The newly introduced “Outstanding New Startup Award” aimed to encourage innovative startups in the biotech field. This year, seven companies received this award. Acepodia, founded in 2017, focuses on developing next-generation cell-based immunotherapies for solid tumors and blood cancers. ImmunAdd Inc., established in 2022, offers the world’s only fully synthetic saponin adjuvant, addressing supply issues of natural resources. Sunhawk Vision Biotech, Inc., is developing RNA therapies for conditions such as childhood myopia and corneal diseases, with its SHJ002 being the first RNA therapy in Taiwan approved by the US FDA for human trials. 

Elixiron Immunotherapeutics Inc., focused on developing immune drugs for malignant tumors and neurodegenerative diseases, explores new treatments by modulating the immune system. BioGend Therapeutics Co., Ltd., known for its high-grade medical materials in bone regeneration, is expanding its market through international licensing. Becker International, recognized for its esophageal stent, has secured multiple patents and approvals in Taiwan, the US, and Japan, and is now covered by Taiwan’s National Health Insurance. Finally, Protect Biotech focuses on innovative cancer immunotherapy vaccines for pets, addressing aging-related health issues in animals.

Annual Industry Innovation Award Winners

The “Annual Industry Innovation Award” acknowledged four cutting-edge products and technologies. Among the winners is APP13007: Clobetasol Propionate Eye Drops Suspension, developed by Formosa Pharmaceuticals using APNT® nanoparticle technology. Approved for marketing in the U.S., it is the first eye drop with the super-potent steroid clobetasol propionate in 15 years, treating postoperative inflammatory pain after ophthalmologic procedures. Then, TaiGen Biotechnology’s TG-1000, an antiviral drug for influenza and avian flu, received acclaim for its effectiveness in preventing virus replication and resistance. Next, HippoScreen Neurotech Corp’s SEA brainwave stress assessment system, developed with data from local medical centers, offers an objective and quantifiable stress evaluation using AI algorithms. Syngen Biotech’s ProbVege+, a fermented vegetable powder, extends the shelf life of fresh produce and adds value through innovative agricultural processing and verification techniques.

Wu Chung-Hsiun, Chairman of TBIO, emphasized that the awards aim to recognize outstanding performance and potential in biotech companies and innovative technologies. The award ceremony and presentations took place at the BIO Asia–Taiwan conference this week, where winners were publicly honored and share their successful experiences and innovative technologies. Ultimately, this initiative aims to boost the visibility of Taiwan’s biotech industry on the global stage, showcasing its diverse development and research capabilities.

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Author

Bernice Lottering