Taiwan’s BPIPO and DCB Join Japan’s LINK-J and FIRM for First Regenerative Medicine Investment Forum in Tokyo

Tokyo, Japan — April 23, 2025 — The inaugural Taiwan-Japan Investment and Industry Networking Event took place at the Global Life Science Hub in Tokyo. The forum united leading biotech and pharmaceutical companies to explore cross-border investment, technology collaboration, and market growth. Key organizations—including Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries Promotion Office (BPIPO), the Development Center for Biotechnology (DCB), LINK-J, and FIRM—highlighted the potential for partnership in regenerative medicine and drug innovation, aiming to bridge Taiwan’s biotech strengths with Japan’s investment and clinical development capabilities.

Cultivating Taiwan-Japan Partnerships in Regenerative Medicine and Drug Innovation

Organized by BPIPO and co-hosted by Link-J and DCB, a recent forum spotlighted deepening Taiwan-Japan ties in regenerative medicine and drug innovation—guided by the shared belief that “science knows no borders.”

Dr. Michael Huang, Director of BPIPO, opened the event by emphasizing Taiwan’s biotech strengths and Japan’s investment power, calling the forum “a launchpad for future cross-border co-development,” and positioning BPIPO as a one-stop shop for global collaboration. DCB Chairman Dr. Shiing-Jer Twu echoed the sentiment, stressing the need for a seamless framework to enable research, clinical development, and talent exchange between the two countries, particularly in drug development and smart healthcare.

Mr. Akihiko Soyama, CEO of Link-J, underscored Japan’s growing interest in Taiwan’s biotech sector, especially in regenerative medicine. “By deepening collaboration, we can accelerate cross-border innovation and deliver impactful therapies to the global market faster,” he said.

Dr. Masayuki Nomura, Chair of FIRM’s International Affairs Committee, praised the gathering as a timely platform for meaningful dialogue and future partnerships. “We have a valuable opportunity to come together, and I hope this will impact innovation and development once more.”

Highlighting industry momentum, Mr. Kunihiko Suzuki, Chair of FIRM’s Specific Processed Cells Committee, noted the transformative potential of cell and gene therapy. “These therapies are addressing unmet medical needs through early access pathways, even without full market authorization—a shift that’s gaining global traction,” he said. “This is a big step for patients anywhere in the world, opening the door to faster, more effective treatment options.”

The forum fostered productive networking and strategic discussions aimed at advancing translational research, regenerative therapies, and next-generation drug development—laying a foundation for impactful progress in global healthcare.

Japan’s Bio Economy Strategy Accelerates Global Biopharma Ambitions

As Taiwan and Japan strengthen their partnership in regenerative medicine and drug innovation, broader national strategies are also taking shape to support this momentum. Building on these shared goals, Japan’s Bio Economy Strategy aligns closely with Taiwan’s innovation-driven vision, creating fertile ground for collaboration across the biopharmaceutical landscape.

With the global pharmaceutical market projected to grow 3–5% annually and reaching $1.2 trillion in 2020, Japan is sharpening its focus on biopharmaceuticals as a strategic growth sector. Revised in the past year, Japan’s Bio Strategy has been renamed the Bio Economy Strategy, built around three key pillars: biomanufacturing (such as bio-based plastics), agriculture (applying biological innovations), and bio-regenerative medicine and healthcare (advancing cell and gene therapies).

Mr. Keita Komatsu, Deputy Director of the Bio-Industry Division at Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), emphasized the country’s proactive approach, stating, “We help develop biomanufacturing enterprises who are making the sites for vaccines,” noting a focus on dual-use facilities that “switch to vaccines in abnormal situations.” He also expressed optimism for deeper international collaboration, adding, “We look forward to increasing support in investment programs for regenerative medicine pathways between Taiwan and Japan.”

To support this vision, major funding initiatives—including the Green Innovation Fund and the Biomanufacturing Revolution Fund—aim to “use CO₂ as a raw material” and boost the pharmaceutical startup ecosystem by matching venture capital investments twofold. These policy-driven efforts are set to catalyze the next wave of cross-border biopharma innovation.

Innovative Startups and CDMOs Drive Cross-Border Collaboration And Next-Gen Therapies In Asia’s Growing Biopharma Ecosystem.

At this inaugural forum, Taiwan’s biotech sector showcased its significant advancements in regenerative medicine, with several companies sharing their latest developments. DuoGenic StemCells Corporation launched a 3-in-1 osteoarthritis treatment, combining platelet-rich fibrin, PBMCs, and growth factors to offer an alternative to traditional steroid and NSAID therapies. Meanwhile, AngenMed’s AGT-NeoSync platform targets solid tumors by identifying up to 100 unique neoantigens per patient, enabling precise anti-tumor immunity, distinct from CAR-T therapies suited for blood cancers, with clinical trials planned in Japan. Gold Nano Tech’s GNT.Tec6, a needle-free, supersonic device for painless, non-invasive drug delivery. also deliver exosomes hair follicle, promoting hair growth.

Following this trajectory, Lumistar’s iPSC Regenerative Medicine & Drug Screening Platform creates patient-specific disease models for neurodegenerative diseases and fibrosis, scalable to cardiometabolic and neurological disorders. BIONET, holding 80% of Taiwan’s approved autologous adipose stem cell therapies, leverages its AI-driven approach to cell therapies and exosome development, backed by 61 publications with a total impact factor of 315, to develop customized therapies, including a novel drug for dry eye disease, with plans for global expansion. 

Hexun Bio’s ICH-compliant MSC cell bank and automated 3D culture systems streamline exosome production, meeting US and Taiwan FDA standards, supporting clients from early development to commercial scale. It offers full CDMO services from R&D to GMP production using automated systems. boosting consistency and accelerating client development. In a similar vein, Ascension Biotechnology produces highly purified exosomes (99.9% purity) for targeted diseases, including hair restoration, with the ability to store and transport them at room temperature. The technology uses NGS to analyze microRNA and qPCR to assess elastin and collagen cell efficiency, offering over 100 types of exosomes for various applications. These companies are redefining treatments for osteoarthritis, cancer, and aging-related diseases, positioning Asia as a global biotech leader with plans to expand internationally. 

Taiwan’s biotech startups are highly adaptable and innovation-driven. Together with Japan’s advanced cell processing platforms, we can forge a powerful ecosystem for translational research and next-generation drug development. Image: GeneOnline.

Progressing in Diagnostics, Precision Medicine, Personalized Therapeutics and Biomedical Solutions

Extending the showcase of innovation, Taiwan’s biotech sector is rapidly expanding its footprint across diagnostics, precision medicine, and biomedical solutions. Asia Pathogenomics Co., Ltd. introduced advanced genomic and infectious disease diagnostics, contributing to the development of precision medicine strategies. Taiwan Bio Therapeutics Co., Ltd. focused on cell-based therapies aimed at restoring health at the cellular level.

In personalized medicine, Creative Life Science Co., Ltd. showcased its microfluidic and single-cell technologies, while Maria Von Med-Biotechnology Co., Ltd. highlighted progress in stem cell-based regenerative treatments. Meanwhile, CellTech Innovation is helping accelerate biotech startups, particularly those in regenerative medicine.

Bringing biomedical innovation closer to personal health, Mikobeaute International Co., Ltd. unveiled biomedical skincare and wellness technologies, while Akousist Co., Ltd. demonstrated AI-powered healthcare solutions designed to enhance patient outcomes through data-driven models. Supporting these efforts, the Taiwan Research-based Biopharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (TRPMA) emphasized the importance of deepening Taiwan-Japan collaboration to develop next-generation therapeutics.

These dynamic advancements highlight Taiwan’s growing influence in the global biotech sector, reinforcing its strengths in precision medicine, regenerative therapies, and strategic cross-border partnerships.

Building Real Partnerships: Japan’s Biotech Leaders Team Up with Taiwan for Global Impact

Japanese counterparts—DCI Partners, Human Life CORD Japan, Teijin Limited, Mochida Pharmaceutical, CSL Behring, PeptiGrowth, and iHeart Japan—offered insights into R&D collaboration, commercialization hurdles, and Japan’s biopharma investment climate. They expressed optimism for co-developing therapies and aligning clinical trial pathways between Japan and international partners. “Events like this don’t just connect companies—they spark lasting partnerships,” a representative remarked.

The forum also welcomed six leading Japanese venture capital firms, including Nissay Capital and Eight Roads Ventures, who discussed emerging technologies and investment opportunities. Thirty Japanese pharmaceutical and biotech companies, such as Astellas Pharma Inc., Daiichi Sankyo Co., Fujifilm Corporation, and Japan Science and Technology Agency, participated in strategic discussions.

A highlight of the event was that DuoGenic StemCells, a Taiwan-based biotech company, signed a non-exclusive licensing agreement with A&I Co., Ltd. of Japan, facilitated by BPIPO and FIRM. The agreement covered DuoGenics’ AI Cells technology for purifying peripheral blood mononuclear cells, allowing A&I Co., Ltd. to handle therapeutic approval applications, marketing, and sales in Japan, signalling a new milestone in Taiwan-Japan biotech collaboration.

As the forum transitioned into open networking, attendees engaged in dynamic discussions on regulatory harmonization, joint ventures, and technology transfer opportunities. The presence of investors and government representatives underscored a shared commitment to scientific innovation and commercial growth.

The forum united leading investors and companies in the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors from both countries to explore cross-border investment, technology collaboration, and market growth. Image: GeneOnline.

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