Biotechnology poised to be Taiwan's next high-tech success story :: BiotechEast - Taiwan and China biotechnology, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, 英文編修, 英文修改 ::

Taiwan has achieved remarkable economic success, having transformed itself in a few short decades to the technology-driven economic powerhouse that it is today.

Over the past 20 years Taiwan has concentrated on developing its high-tech industries, and is now a world leader in the development and production of electronic, information technology (IT), computer and semiconductor products.

Taiwan's aim is to achieve the same kind of success and global standing in the industry of the future � biotechnology.

Taiwan's biotech advantages
Taiwan has many strengths that give it the edge over its competitors in the rest of Asia. These strengths are due to a combination of existing conditions and to deliberate planning on the part of the government. These include:

� Existing expertise in high technology, easily transferred to biotechnology
� Strategic location; close to China and straddling Northeast and Southeast Asia
� Strong legal framework
� Highly educated workforce, particularly in IT and biology
� World-class research facilities
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� Abundant capital and Asia's most vibrant venture capital industry
� Herbal medicine knowledge and experience

Taiwan has a highly educated workforce and world-class research facilities.

Taiwan top in Asian biotech: SC Securities
Taiwan can already claim the title of Asian leader in biotechnology. In its November 2001 report entitled 'Asia Biotechnology � Asia's Biotechnology dawn,' the Singapore office of the brokerage division of French-based Societe Generale Group identified Taiwan as the top biotechnology nation in Asia, reporting that it had in place many of the elements for a winning strategy. Second after Taiwan was Singapore, followed by Hong Kong/China, Korea and India. The survey indicated that Taiwan was particularly strong in IP protection, had a solid industrial development organizational structure and abundant investment resources.

Taiwan is not resting on its laurels however, and continues to work towards upgrading the competitiveness of its life science industries.

Biotechnology as defined in Taiwan
As the term 'biotechnology' is relatively new, it is difficult to define what exactly a 'biotechnology' company is. As a combination of 'biology' and 'technology', such a definition encompasses the vast range of life sciences and medical disciplines, and all related technologies. As the dust has yet to settle on this question, the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries Program Office, part of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, has put forward the following definitions:

"Biotechnology is a set of powerful tools that employ living organisms or parts of organisms to make or modify products, improve plants or animals, or develop microorganisms for specific uses. Examples of this new 'biotechnology' include industrial use of recombinant DNA, cell fusion, and novel bioprocessing."

It is generally understood in Taiwan as:

'The application of technological principles in life sciences.'

Using this latter definition, 'biotechnology' includes the pharmaceutical industry. Furthermore, because of its ethnic Chinese heritage, Taiwan's pharmaceutical industry has always included the Chinese medicine industry. In fact, many manufacturers of Western pharmaceuticals in Taiwan are also producing Chinese medicinal ingredients and formulations. Similarly, many new biotech start-ups are conducting research on modern medical uses of traditional Chinese herbs and medicines.

Government development strategy - The Promotion Plan for the Biotechnology Industry
The strategy and direction of Taiwan's biotechnology industry development is clear and focused. Industry, institutions and government bodies all follow developmental guidelines as set forth in the Promotion Plan for the Biotechnology Industry.

This document, a road map defining national industry goals and clearly detailing the corresponding action steps required to get there, was first written and released by the Executive Yuan branch of the government in 1995, and has been revised biannually ever since. The most recent revision of the Promotion Plan was released in March 2003.

Action tasks
A major aspect of the Promotion Plan is that it has identified specific areas in need of attention to upgrade not only the local biotech industry but also to enhance the investment attraction of Taiwan to the overseas life science community. These five areas of attention are as follows:
� Related laws and regulations
� R&D and application
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� Technology transfer and commercialization
� Investment promotion and cooperation
� Marketing information and services

Goals
In compiling the Promotion Plan, Taiwan's strengths and capabilities were examined and a number of industry objectives were decided on. These include the following four major goals:
� To establish Taiwan as the center for genomic research and development in Asia.
� To establish Taiwan as the leading location for human clinical trials in Asia
� To establish Taiwan as a worldwide subtropical floriculture center
� To establish in Taiwan the most vibrant biotech-focused venture capital industry in Asia.

Growth targets
In addition, the Promotion Plan set the following growth goals:
� US$4.5 billion in new biotech/pharmaceutical industry investment by 2010
� By 2010 at least 18 international-standard biotech companies are to be established in Taiwan, being either fully locally owned, or mixed local-overseas ownership joint ventures or collaborations.

Taiwan bio-industries ready for international cooperation
Taiwan understands that for its life science industry goals to be met, it needs to more fully integrate with the international biotech community. By encouraging investment, joint ventures, biotech technology transfer and research collaboration between its local companies and institutions and their overseas counterparts, benefits will come not only to Taiwan but to all collaborating parties.

To help facilitate internationalization of Taiwan's biotech industry, the government, planning and promotional organizations have all been working hard to develop the ideal conditions for attracting international partners and for sustained future industry growth.

The worldwide biotech community is welcome to examine the unique mix of advantages and attractions Taiwan has to offer. With its large pool of bioscientists and high-tech talent, an impressive medical research base including world-class research institutions, its entrepreneurial 'can-do' business culture, and last-but-not-least the commitment of the government to fully support the industry, all add up in Taiwan's favor.

What's more, not only does Taiwan hold distinction as an investment and partnering location in its own right, its proximity to mainland China and the language, ethnic and business connections between the two make Taiwan the ideal location as a stepping stone to China.

As they become more economically developed, it is anticipated that China's citizens will increase their spending on health and medicine, creating a biomedical and medical products industry boom. Be a part of this boom by investing in Taiwan.

Taiwan proudly welcomes all international partners to jointly share in the development and future successes of the nation's newest industry.

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