Taiwan’s BPIPO and DCB Drive Regenerative Medicine Development with Japan’s Industry Leaders in Tokyo

April 21, 2025 — Tokyo, Japan — A delegation of 16 biotech companies and organizations from Taiwan, organized by Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries Promotion Office (BPIPO) and the Development Center for Biotechnology (DCB), captured significant attention this week in Japan’s renowned regenerative medicine sector. Through a series of high-profile corporate visits, clinic tours, and landmark networking events, Taiwan’s emerging innovators engaged deeply with Japan’s established biotech ecosystem — a move made possible by the strategic orchestration of BPIPO, DCB, and several Japanese key partners including Life Science Innovation Network Japan (LINK-J) and the Forum for Innovative Regenerative Medicine (FIRM).

The mission, underpinned by Japan’s progressive regulatory landscape in the regenerative medicine field, emphasized a new era of cross-border synergy, showcasing Taiwan’s agility and innovation alongside Japan’s infrastructure and scale.

Hitting the Ground Running: Major Industry Events

The delegation participated in the 14th APAC (Asia Partnership Conference of Pharmaceutical Associations), a key event where regulators, companies, and investors gathered to map out the future of biopharmaceutical innovation. Hiroaki Ueno of the Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (JPMA) called for stronger regional regulatory harmonization, championing collaboration as the cornerstone of innovative medicine. David Reddy of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA) echoed this sentiment, emphasized the role of trust and reliance in expediting global drug access.

Sessions further explored Japan’s drug discovery ecosystems, with Masami Sakoi, Japan’s Vice Minister for Health, detailing national programs like ATLAS and ARISE that aim to augment Japan’s biopharmaceutical hubs and position the country as a global leader within the field of regenerative and personalized medicine

At the 8th APACRM (Asia Partnership Conference of Regenerative Medicine Associations), hosted in a hybrid format, Taiwan’s leadership in autologous cell therapy—with over 220 approved therapies—drew strong attention. Countries including China, South Korea and Taiwan shared on current regulatory policies as well as the growth and development of regenerative medicine in the region. Antonio Lee of the International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy (ISCT) presented a detailed APAC regulatory roadmap, outlining jurisdiction-specific frameworks to accelerate therapy development.

The APACRM conference highlighted critical advancements in regenerative medicine, with ARM and FIRM’s A-Gene case study underscoring the importance of integrating Quality by Design to streamline gene therapy manufacturing, addressing industry challenges in scalability and consistency. WG1’s insights on non-clinical data for AAV-based therapies emphasized the need for robust early-stage testing to ensure safety, while WG3’s focus on AAV and CAR-T gene therapies revealed the necessity of a clear product life cycle map to navigate regulatory hurdles efficiently. The Clinical WG’s discussion on post-launch requirements highlighted the growing importance of sustained compliance to maintain market access. Additionally, the APAC Regulatory Roadmap whitepaper on Cytotherapy ISCT stressed harmonized regulations to accelerate developer timelines. The presence of BPIPO and DCB catalyzed strategic partnerships, reinforcing that collaboration is key to overcoming regulatory fragmentation and advancing patient access to innovative therapies in the rapidly evolving regenerative medicine landscape.

The 14th APAC Conference united regulators, industry leaders, and experts across Asia to advance access to innovative medicines, with sessions spotlighting regulatory reliance, microbiome therapeutics, digital health integration, GMP inspection cooperation, and sustainable healthcare financing. Image: GeneOnline

Behind the Scenes: Visits to Japan’s Biotech Powerhouses

The itinerary took the delegation deep into the heart of Japan’s biotech industry. At CBC Group, currently celebrating its 100th anniversary, executives laid out strategies to expand their biopharma arm, focusing on CDMO services via Kanagawa Science Park and analytical testing services, with Procos in Italy for API production. CBC’s leadership highlighted Taiwan’s biotech talent as a natural complement to their global ambitions, and early CDMO collaboration talks gained momentum thanks to BPIPO’s proactive introductions.

The delegation visited Astellas Pharma, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in Japan and a significant global player, where they were introduced to the concept of the futuristic SakuLab in Tsukuba. There, Maholo — a robotic automation platform co-developed with Yaskawa Electric — is revolutionizing NK cell manufacturing. Maholo’s AI-driven automation has reportedly boosted NK cell yields by up to 100-fold, a breakthrough for iPSC manufacturing. Astellas’ focus on developing universal donor cells through CRISPR-Cas9 aligned perfectly with several Taiwanese firms specializing in immunotherapy. FIRM’s efforts to bridge the two sides were evident, ensuring Taiwan’s startups could engage with Astellas’ open innovation initiatives.

Meanwhile, during their visit to Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. — a major Japanese pharmaceutical company with a growing international presence, particularly in the U.S. — the delegation was introduced to the company’s S-RACMO facilities in Osaka, home to the world’s first commercial-scale iPSC production site. Sumitomo also highlighted its ongoing Phase I/II clinical trials conducted in partnership with Kyoto University, which focus on using iPSC-derived dopaminergic cells to treat Parkinson’s disease. As part of the presentations and discussions, delegates were introduced to smart manufacturing hubs like FORCE and CRAFT, which sparked meaningful dialogue on potential manufacturing collaborations. LINK-J played a key role in connecting Sumitomo executives with Taiwanese CDMOs seeking to expand into Japan’s growing regenerative medicine market

Frontlines of Innovation: Clinic Visits Offer a Closer Look

Beyond corporate offices, the group explored Japan’s clinical applications of regenerative medicine. At IMG Clinic in Tokyo, collaboration with Reprocell brought to light how iPSC-derived exosomes are reshaping therapeutics and aesthetics. At Seta Clinic Tokyo, under Dr. Nakagawa’s leadership, macrophage-based immunotherapy strategies targeting metabolic and neuroimmune disorders — particularly therapies modulating the gut-brain axis — were demonstrated.

The Taiwan delegation’s visit to several medical centers underscored the vital role of Japan’s private clinics in bridging cutting-edge cell and gene therapy research with real-world patient care, enabled by a regulated yet adaptable clinical framework. Image: GeneOnline

Giving a nod of appreciation to BPIPO and DCB’s pre-arranged access, Taiwanese companies engaged directly with clinicians and research leaders, opening doors for joint clinical trials, regulatory cooperation, and potential data-sharing agreements. FIRM’s advocacy for regulatory clarity in clinical applications further smoothed pathways for Taiwanese firms entering Japan.

Building Bridges: Networking That Counts

Networking was more than a buzzword during this mission — it translated into tangible opportunities. At the International Society of Regenerative Medicine for Literacy Education event, co-organized with ISRMLE, Taiwanese startups like DuoGenic StemCells and LumiSTAR exchanged ideas with Japanese pioneers like Myoridge and MediNet. MediNet’s Shinagawa facility, conveniently located just 10 minutes from Haneda Airport, showcased Japan’s significant progress in immune cell therapy manufacturing, prompting discussions on future CDMO partnerships and R&D collaborations.

Meanwhile, the first Taiwan-Japan Investment and Industry Networking Event, Organized by BPIPO and co-organized by Link-J & DCB, gathered government officials, investors, and industry leaders under one roof. Dr. Michael Huang, Director of BPIPO and Vice President of DCB celebrated Taiwan’s landmark regulatory reforms, including two regenerative medicine laws passed in 2024 that significantly shortened drug development timelines. Further, DCB Chairman, Dr. Shiing-Jer Twu, championed talent exchange initiatives and smart healthcare partnerships. Japanese firms like Teijin, expanding in regenerative medicine, found strong synergies with Taiwanese companies. Regulatory insights shared by FIRM, combined with Japan’s projected regenerative medicine market growth of 3-5% annually (per METI forecasts), fueled optimism for deeper collaborations.

The event featured key participants including major Japanese industry players such as DCI Partners, Human Life CORD Japan, Teijin Limited, Mochida Pharmaceutical, CSL Behring, PeptiGrowth, and iHeart Japan. These companies shared insights on R&D collaboration, commercialization challenges, and Japan’s biopharma investment climate, expressing optimism for co-developing therapies and aligning clinical trial pathways. The forum also welcomed six leading Japanese venture capital firms, such as Nissay Capital and Eight Roads Ventures, who discussed emerging technologies and investment opportunities. In addition, thirty Japanese pharmaceutical and biotech companies, including Astellas Pharma Inc., Daiichi Sankyo Co., Fujifilm Corporation, and the Japan Science and Technology Agency, participated in strategic discussions. A highlight of the event was the signing of a non-exclusive licensing agreement between Taiwan’s DuoGenic StemCells and Japan’s A&I Co., Ltd. for DuoGenic’s AI Cells technology, marking a significant milestone in Taiwan-Japan biotech collaboration.

Rising Stars from Taiwan Shine Bright

Brought to Japan by BPIPO and DCB to foster business development and partnerships, Taiwan’s leading biotech innovators showcased a diverse range of cutting-edge technologies. DuoGenic StemCells Corporation presented its clinical-stage pipeline focused on stem cell therapies for degenerative diseases. AngenMed Therapeutics, Inc. introduced its AGT-NeoSync platform for personalized solid tumor immunotherapy. GoldNanoTech Inc. showcased GNT.Tec6, a needle-free, supersonic device designed for painless, non-invasive drug delivery, which also enables targeted delivery of exosomes to hair follicles, promoting hair regeneration and growth. LumiSTAR Biotechnology, Inc. unveiled an iPSC Regenerative Medicine & Drug Screening Platform for neurodegenerative diseases. BIONET Therapeutics Corp. presented its AI-driven approach to advancing cell therapies and exosome development, highlighting how artificial intelligence is accelerating innovation in regenerative medicine. HeXun Biosciences Co., Ltd. offers full CDMO services, from R&D to GMP production, using automated systems. Ascension Medical Biotechnology Co., Ltd. highlighted its integrated GMP manufacturing and clinical trial results, enabling faster development and commercialization of regenerative therapies.

Focusing on innovation ecosystems, the collective advancements of these companies signal Taiwan’s growing role in regenerative medicine, offering solutions that could transform global healthcare through precise, scalable, and innovative therapies. Additional innovators included Asia Pathogenomics Co., Ltd., with advanced genomic and infectious disease diagnostics; Taiwan Bio Therapeutics Co., Ltd., a next-generation CDMO enabling partners to accelerate cell therapy development through integrated therapeutic design, process development, and GMP manufacturing; Creative Life Science Co., Ltd., demonstrating single-cell and microfluidic technologies; Maria Von Med-Biotechnology Co., Ltd., advancing stem cell-based treatments; CellTech Innovation, supporting biotech startup acceleration; Mikobeaute International Co., Ltd., sharing biomedical skincare and wellness solutions; and Akousist Co., Ltd., showcasing AI-powered healthcare models, with TRPMA supporting Taiwan-Japan collaboration for next-generation therapeutics.

The Taiwan delegation’s visit to Japan fostered dialogue on industry challenges and collaboration, laying a solid foundation for future biotech and life science partnerships. Image: GeneOnline.

A Blueprint for Global Impact

The delegation’s mission illuminated Taiwan and Japan’s complementary strengths: Taiwan’s nimble innovation and Japan’s industrial might. BPIPO and DCB, with LINK-J and FIRM as linchpins, bridged regulatory, commercial, and scientific divides, drawing venture capital from firms like JAFCO, ANRI, and Fast Track Initiative. Japan’s regenerative medicine laws and Taiwan’s policy reforms have set the stage for a partnership poised to deliver groundbreaking therapies. As Nomura of LINK-J concluded, “This collaboration is a beacon for global biotech, with Taiwan and Japan leading the charge.” With investors circling and regulatory pathways clearing, this alliance is not just chasing dreams—it’s building the future of medicine.

Through BPIPO and DCB’s tireless coordination, and the extensive networks of LINK-J and FIRM, Taiwan’s biotech sector took a bold step toward becoming an indispensable player in Japan’s regenerative medicine future. As Director Michael Huang aptly summarized: “Taiwan and Japan are not just partners; we are co-creators in building a healthier future for the world.”

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