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Taiwan Biotech Delegation Leads International Exchange with Phoenix Biotech Community and Mayo Clinic
As the BIO International Convention (BIO 2024) commences, the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries Promotion Office (BPIPO), with the support of the Industrial Development Administration, has partnered with the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), the National Development Council’s Startup Island TAIWAN (SIT), and the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC). Leveraging the longstanding relationship between BPIPO and Phoenix, this collaboration aims to facilitate exchanges between Taiwan and Phoenix. The U.S. participants highly value this exchange, underscoring Taiwan’s significant presence in the global biotech and pharmaceutical industry.
The delegation, consisting of 16 members from various fields including medical institutions, research organizations, accelerators, telemedicine, medical devices, cancer screening, and biochips, will engage in a series of activities aimed at fostering cooperation. Key activities include a Mayo Clinic Medtech expert meeting to facilitate potential collaborations in clinical validation, investment, regulations, and market entry, utilizing resources from U.S. medical institutions and accelerators.
BPIPO has been deeply involved in the U.S. biotechnology market for many years. This year, in collaboration with GPEC, they have organized a two-day visit (May 30-31) as a prelude to the BIO 2024. This warm-up activity aims to foster the thriving Taiwanese biotechnology industry and create new opportunities for Taiwan-U.S. cooperation through active participation.
Phoenix Medical Quarter: A Catalyst for Therapeutic Rebirth
BPIPO specially arranged for the delegation to visit the Phoenix Medical Quarter, starting with the Barrow Neurological Institute and its Ivy Brain Tumor Center. Barrow is one of the largest neurological research institutes in the U.S., pioneering treatments, research, and education in brain and spine diseases, disorders, and injuries.
Treating over 58,000 patients annually and performing nearly 6,000 brain and spine surgeries, Barrow collaborates with universities, medical institutions, and pharmaceutical companies. The delegation aims to explore Barrow’s clinical research projects and discuss potential collaborations in drug development and medical device trials.
Phoenix Bioscience Core Campus: Advancing Genomics in Disease Treatment
To promote more clinical trial collaborations, the delegation will engage with the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) at the Phoenix Bioscience Core Campus. TGen focuses on leveraging personal genomics for clinical decision-making in disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
As a leader in genomics and precision medicine, TGen’s research covers cancer, neurological diseases, pathogens, microbiomes, and rare pediatric diseases. The delegation seeks to understand TGen’s clinical research projects and discuss collaboration opportunities in drug development and medical devices.
Venture Café: Connecting Innovators
The Taiwanese delegation will participate in the Venture Café, a biomedical startup networking event. This gathering will allow Taiwanese companies to introduce themselves and engage in informal exchanges with local scholars, businesses, healthcare professionals, and venture capitalists. The aim is to enhance visibility, foster collaboration, attract investors, and establish connections with potential partners in the Phoenix biomedical community.
Mayo Clinic Medtech Accelerator: Fostering Early-Stage Innovation
The highlight of the second day is an in-depth visit to the Mayo Clinic. Renowned for its extensive clinical research portfolio, Mayo Clinic collaborates with Arizona State University (ASU) on a Medtech accelerator to support early-stage medical device and biotech companies.
Mayo Clinic is highly anticipating the cutting-edge technology and niche products from Taiwan’s biotechnology industry. Richard J. Gray, M.D., Vice President of Mayo Clinic and Chief Executive Officer of Mayo Clinic in Arizona, along with Steven J. Lester, M.D., Cardiologist, Echocardiographer, and Internist, will personally host the delegation to expand Taiwan-U.S. biotech collaboration.
This program offers entrepreneurial courses and professional development plans to expedite market entry. The delegation aims to learn from this model, showcase Taiwan’s clinical testing capabilities, and foster academic and commercial collaborations within the Mayo system.
Enhancing Taiwan-U.S. Biotech Exchange
This visit not only showcases Taiwan’s innovative achievements in biomedicine but also seeks to establish more technical and commercial partnerships through exchanges with leading global biomedical institutions and companies. It is expected to enhance Taiwan’s influence and competitiveness in the international biotech industry, laying a solid foundation for future development.
This visit was highly valued by the U.S. side, with U.S. Congressman Greg Stanton, Phoenix City Council Member Ann O’Brien, and GPEC President and CEO Chris Camacho personally hosting the delegation. This demonstrates the unwavering commitment of both the U.S. and Taiwanese government departments to expanding and deepening bilateral biotech cooperation, aiming to jointly create global biomedical solutions.
