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(Taiwan) Innovation and excellence honored at awards event: Formosa Laboratories wins top prize, GaleMed comes in second, InnoPharmax takes third
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(Press release, Epoch Foundation)
20 November, 2009
The "Taiwan Healthcare Industry Innovation and Excellence Awards 2009," recognizing achievements in the local life sciences sector, was held yesterday at a ceremony at Taipei's Grand Hyatt Hotel.
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Gold Award winner Formosa Laboratories, represented by Dr. Peter Bircher (right), shown with Academia Sinica President Dr. Wong Chi-heuy at the Taiwan Healthcare Industry Innovation and Excellence Awards 2009. |
"Gold," "Silver" and "Bronze" award winners were chosen from seven companies making a "Commendable" short list determined by a select panel of local industry experts. The selection takes into account the potential for growth over the coming five years.
Now in its third year, this event is fast becoming renown as the occasion where future prominent companies are first identified and recognized.
15 companies entered the evaluation process this year, with all seven companies deemed commendable attending yesterday's occasion in anticipation of winning top prize and the recognition that it brings.
Winning the Gold award for first place and a NT$300,000 (US$9,000) check this year was Formosa Laboratories, Inc. Formosa is both a manufacturer of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and UV-filter products, producing both at its GMP-compliant facilities near Taipei, and with many big name international companies as its clients. The company is already listed on Taiwan's emerging stock market, with a full listing expected in Q10 2010.
Picking up the Silver award and NT$200,000 (US$6,000) was biomedical material development firm GaleMed Corporation. GaleMed makes interface products for use in respiratory care equipment.
The Bronze award and a NT$100,000 (US$3,000) prize was won by InnoPharmax Inc. This company specializes in developing drug delivery technologies, particularly in the infectious disease, immunology and oncology therapy sectors.
Special guest this year was the Vice President of Taiwan, Vincent Siew. Also presenting at the event were Paul Hsu, President of the Epoch Foundation (www.epoch.org.tw), and host of the event; Dr. Johnsee Lee, President of the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI); Dr. Wong Chi-Huey, President of Taiwan's renowned research institute, Academia Sinica, chief coordinator of the awards evaluation committee for the third time.
Hsu talked about Epoch and the organization's growing emphasis on the health care and biomedical sectors.
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Companies recognized at the Taiwan Healthcare Industry Innovation and Excellence Awards 2009 line up with notable guests including the Vice President of Taiwan Vincent Siew (middle). |
"Epoch was started by Taiwan's 20 leading companies with a mission to facilitate Taiwan’s industrial development and promote economic prosperity in the Asia Pacific region. In recent years, we've put a lot of attention on the life sciences, especially on the entrepreneurial side. We've also seen great potential in Taiwan's agricultural technology companies. And so this year it is appropriate that these awards recognize companies from the full spectrum of the life sciences; pharmaceutical, medical technology and agricultural technology," he said.
Also new this year was the invitation to Taiwan by Epoch of the renowned trainer MIT Sloan School of Management Professor Fiona Murray to run a two-and-half-day high-level management training course for the winning companies from 2007 to 2009.
"The course was highly appreciated, and all attendees received valuable practical know-how on innovation management and international market development," said Hsu.
According to Wong, this year's event was characterized by the recognition of a wider scope of innovation than in past years.
"We're seeing exciting developments in Taiwan's medical devices industry, and this is reflected in that fact that three companies in this year's 'Commendable' list are in the devices sector. Also we're chosen to recognize a company making strides in animal-focused biotech [UBI Asia]," he said.
And with three years of evaluating companies for this recognition, Wong is well placed to comment on the health of the healthcare industry in Taiwan.
"There's also a feeling of momentum building in this industry. I can sense the enthusiasm, the confidence," he ventured.
Dr. Johnsee Lee, President of the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), during his opening remarks mentioned that while the award and the prize money that came with it were nice, "What really counts is what happens afterwards."
"The hard work is yet to come for today's winners. But with recognition comes confidence. And with it further opportunities will follow," he added, noting that many of the award's winners in previous years had gone on to make a name for themselves in the industry.
The event's most notable VIP guest and repeating his attendance at 2008's occasion was the Vice President of Taiwan Vincent Siew.
"The health industry is one that's fundamental for us all, and particularly so for people of my age," he joked. "The government is committing to promoting this industry as it is the perfect fit for Taiwan and is the hope of future generations of this country," said Siew.
"People say that the biotech industry is at the same stage as the electronics industry was 20 years ago in Taiwan, similarly poised for great success. While we all hope this to be true, biotech will require a whole different set of developmental strategies. But with confidence and hard work, we can do it. What is the future of industry in Taiwan? The answer could be here, in the companies represented today in this room," he added.
The awards event was jointly hosted by the Science and Technology Advisory Group (STAG); the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI); the Epoch Foundation, a Taipei-based technology industry development and promotion body; the Taipei Biotech Association; and the Taiwan Bio Industry Organization.
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Taiwan Healthcare Industry Innovation and Excellence Awards 2009
Winners:
Gold Award: Formosa Laboratories, Inc.
Silver Award: GaleMed Corporation
Bronze Award: InnoPharmax Inc.
'Commendable' list:
United Biomedical, Inc., Asia (UBIA)
Maxigen Biotech Inc.
Lite-Med Inc.
InnoPharmax Inc.
GeneReach Biotechnology Corp.
GaleMed Corporation
Formosa Laboratories, Inc.
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About United Biomedical, Inc., Asia (UBIA)
Pharmaceutical manufacturer United Biomedical, Inc., Asia (UBIA), together with its parent company United Biomedical, Inc. (UBI), is set to establish United Biomedical Inc., Animal Health (UBIAH), focusing exclusively on developing, manufacturing, and distributing animal vaccines, including Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccine. UBIAH seeks to control and eliminate fatal animal diseases with its state-of-the-art peptide technology.
Contact:
Alan C. Chen
Project Manager, Corporate Development Div.
United Biomedical, Inc., Asia
16F, No. 3, Yuanqu St., Nangang District, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
Tel: 886-2-2655-8820 ext. 810
Fax: 886-2-2785-7439
Email: alan_chen@mail.ubiasia.com.tw
Website: http://www.ubiasia.com.tw
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About Maxigen Biotech Inc.
Established in 1998, Maxigen Biotech Inc. is focused on the development of biopolymers application in medical products, applying collagen and hyaluronate-related technologies in medical devices such as bone void filler, articular elastic and ophthalmic viscoelastic. The company expanded into the cosmeceutical sector in 2003.
Contact:
Jasmine Chao
Maxigen Biotech Inc.
No. 17, Wuchiuan 8th Rd, Wugu, Taipei, Taiwan
Tel: 886-2-22982345 Ext. 628
Fax: 886-2-55919522
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About Lite-Med Inc.
Lite-Med Inc. is a developer of medical equipment based on shockwave technologies. The company has developed a state-of-the-art dual-module Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripters for the treatment of kidney and ureter stones. The device benefits include pain and anesthesia-free treatment.
Contact:
Mr. Lee Chang
V.P., R&D and BD
4F, No. 190, Sec. 2, Zhongxing Rd., Xindian City, Taipei County 23146, Taiwan
Tel: 886-2-29154183
Fax: 886-2-29111780
Email: litemed@ms29.hinet.net
Website: http://www.lite-med.com
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About InnoPharmax Inc.
Founded in Oct. 2005, InnoPharmax is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing products for the treatment of infectious diseases, immunology and oncology. A particular focus is the development of a drug delivery technology platform for improving the safety and effectiveness of currently available drugs and providing better medical choices in these specific disease categories.
Contact:
Stacey Tsai
Senior Finance Manager
InnoPharmax Inc.
9F, No. 22, Lane 478, Rueiguang Rd., Neihu District, Taipei 11492, Taiwan
Tel: 886-2-87977607 ext.105
Email: stacey.tsai@innopharmax.com
Website: http://www.innopharmax.com
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About GeneReach Biotechnology Corp.
GeneReach develops nucleic acid detection technology as well as protein production and multidisciplinary integration. Products include systems for real time isothermal nucleic acid amplification and WSSV detection and prevention. The company is also the world leader in shrimp virus diagnosis, with a world market share of 50 percent at over 500,000 tests/year.
Contact:
Andy Lee
CFO
Tel: 886-24639869 ext. 118
Email: andy@genereachbiotech.com
==
About GaleMed Corporation
Founded in 1986, GaleMed is a provider of interface products in the field of respiratory care. The company combines years of experience in the medical and aerospace industries to focus on the research, development, manufacturing and marketing of innovative products to assist patients and medical professionals.
Contact:
Ms. Tiffany Lee
Tel: 886-2-87919348 ext. 304
Email: tiffany.lee@galemed.com
==
About Formosa Laboratories, Inc.
Founded in 1995, Formosa Laboratories is both a manufacturer of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and UV-filter products, producing both at its GMP-compliant facilities near Taipei. API products include Vitamin D derivatives and Taltirelin. UV-filter products include avobenzone and Octinoxate. The company also provides custom services from process development to full commercial production for APIs and other specialty chemicals.
Contact:
Sophie Yang
Marketing & Sales
No. 36 Hopping Street, Louchu County, Taoyuan 33842, Taiwan
Tel: 886-3-3240895
Fax: 886-3-3240923
Email: info@formosalab.com
Website: http://www.formosalab.com
=========================================
Press release issued by BiotechEast Co., Ltd., for the Epoch Foundation
Contact: Ashley S. Wu
Project Manager, Epoch Foundation
Tel: +886-2-25453525 ext. 14
Email: ashley@epoch.org.tw
Website: http://www.epoch.org.tw
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Taiwan Life Sciences Weekly
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