Taiwan’s Amaran Biotech Takes Top Spot at 2025 Asia-Pacific Biopharma Awards

​​Taiwan’s next-generation Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), Amaran Biotech, has been recognized for its innovation and leadership in bioprocessing. The company took home the “Bioprocessing Excellence in Taiwan” award at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Biopharma Excellence Awards (ABEA), held in Singapore on March 12. Hosted by leading consulting firm IMAPAC, the annual event celebrates top achievements in the biopharma industry across the region. Amaran Biotech was recognized for its advancements in bioprocessing, with its AB-801 adjuvant playing a key role in securing the honor. 

AB-801: Amaran Biotech’s Adjuvant Recognized for Innovation in Bioprocessing

The company’s AB-801 adjuvant, produced using advanced bioprocessing technology, played a key role in securing the Amaran’s recent recognition at the 2025 ABEA Awards. The selection process, which included nomination, shortlisting, and public voting, highlights the company’s significant contributions to vaccine development and biopharmaceutical manufacturing in Taiwan. 

Established in 2017, the Asia-Pacific Biopharma Excellence Awards celebrate achievements in bioprocessing, logistics, supply chain management, antibody-drug conjugates (ADC), and clinical trials across Asia. Organized by consulting firm IMAPAC, the event highlights industry leaders while fostering innovation in biopharmaceutical development.

The selection process includes nomination, shortlisting, and public voting, ensuring winners reflect industry-wide recognition. Speaking on the awards, a GSK representative noted: “Looking at the quality of the conference, I’m pretty sure the people who get the award will be really deserving it because we have very high-quality participants in this conference.”

Amaran Biotech wins the IMAPAC Bioprocessing Excellence in Taiwan Award with its breakthrough adjuvant AB-801. Image: Amaran Biotech.

What is AB-801 and Why Does It Matter?

An adjuvant is a crucial ingredient in vaccines, designed to enhance the body’s immune response. By stimulating a stronger reaction to the vaccine, adjuvants improve efficacy while reducing the dosage needed per shot. This optimizes vaccine production and ensures a more efficient immune response, particularly in populations with weaker immunity.

AB-801 is a saponin-based adjuvant, offering similar application capabilities to QS-21, a widely used adjuvant derived from the soap bark tree (Quillaja saponaria) found in Chile, Bolivia, and Peru. Saponin-based adjuvants have been incorporated into vaccines such as GSK’s Shingrix (shingles vaccine) and Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine, demonstrating their effectiveness in stimulating robust immune responses.

Dr. Tessie Che, Chairperson and General Manager of Amaran Biotech, emphasized the significance of the company’s AB-801 adjuvant and its role in advancing bioprocessing innovation. “AB-801 is a GMP-grade QS-21 adjuvant, and we are one of the few CDMOs worldwide capable of manufacturing this product. This honor recognizes our team’s dedication and hard work. We will continue to enhance our technologies to deliver high-quality bioprocessing solutions to global clients,” she stated.

Amaran Biotech currently supplies AB-801 to a leading global pharmaceutical company and supports research institutions and universities across Europe, North America, China, and Japan. Vaccine research organizations and manufacturers in China and India also use the adjuvant. Looking ahead, Amaran Biotech plans to expand its production capacity to ensure a stable and sustainable supply of AB-801, support more international clients, and contribute to the continued growth of the global biotech industry. This expansion, alongside Amaran Biotech’s recent “Bioprocessing Excellence in Taiwan” award recognition, highlights Taiwan’s growing role in the global biopharma landscape, particularly in cutting-edge CDMO services and bioprocessing innovation.

Comprehensive Biopharmaceutical Services: From Drug Substance to Analytical Support

Beyond its adjuvant technology, Amaran Biotech provides a full suite of biopharmaceutical services, including drug substance manufacturing, drug product manufacturing, stability studies, and analytical science services. These capabilities support the development and production of high-quality biologics and reinforce the company’s position as a key player in Taiwan’s growing CDMO sector. Amaran operates a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in the Hsinchu Biomedical Science Park, a key hub for Taiwan’s biotechnology and semiconductor industries, home to major companies like TSMC.

Since 2017, Amaran Biotech has maintained PIC/S GMP certification from the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA), demonstrating compliance with international pharmaceutical manufacturing standards. Regulatory agencies and third-party auditors from the United States and the European Union have audited and fully qualified the company.

In 2020, Amaran Biotech became a subsidiary of OBI Pharma Inc. through a stock-for-stock exchange, strengthening its collaboration with the biotechnology company. In 2024, the company received Green Building Certification for its Building C from Taiwan’s Ministry of the Interior, reflecting its commitment to sustainable operations.

Dr. Tessie Che, Chairperson and General Manager of Amaran Biotech, brings extensive experience in the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. She played a key role in registering and commercializing the antibiotic DIFICID® (Fidaxomicin) in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.

Amaran Biotech’s AB-801, produced with innovative bioprocessing technology, is a GMP-grade QS-21 adjuvant. Image: Amaran Biotech.

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