(Taiwan) 4-day trade exhibition rounds off week of bio-industry events in Taipei :: BiotechEast - Taiwan and China biotechnology, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, ^¤å½s×, ^¤å×§ï ::

(By David Silver, BiotechEast)

26 July, 2005
Capping off a week of forums and international conferences catering to the region's fast-growing life science sector, the BioTaiwan 2005 International Exhibition opened its doors Friday showcasing the best of Taiwan biotech.

A display featuring Taiwan's marine biotech potential, at the BioTaiwan 2005 International Exhibition held in Taipei on Friday, 22 July, 2005.

One theme of this year's exhibition is "Heart of the Ocean," with displays featuring Taiwan's unique marine environment, including its coral ecosystems on the southern coast. With such natural resources and with many universities and marine research institutes, south Taiwan is fast developing into a vibrant marine biotechnology center.

Another theme of the exhibition is "Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the First Effective Polio Vaccine." With Taiwan Premier Frank Hsieh opening the event on Friday, Norwegian public health care pioneer Dr. Olav Bjorgaas was recognized for his contributions to Taiwan's polio eradication efforts in introducing the polio vaccine to Taiwan 50 years ago. Having flown in to Taiwan especially for the event, Bjorgaas received an award for his efforts in person from Hsieh.

In addition to the trade exhibition, parallel forums being held include the Taiwan Agricultural Biotechnology Forum, a forum on Sunday on developing business models to ensure future global success of Taiwan biotech, and a discussion on Monday on biotech business collaboration between Taiwan and China.

This year's exhibition saw an expansion of the food and cosmetics displays, reflecting the progress Taiwan has made in the biomedical cosmetics and biomaterials sector, and in the number of local herbal medicine companies trying their hand in the nutraceuticals business.

A pioneer in health care, Norwegian Dr. Olav Bjorgaas (left) accepting an award for his efforts in promoting healthcare in Taiwan from Premier Frank Hsieh (right) and Taiwan Bio Industry Organization President Dr. Johnsee Lee (center) at the exhibition's opening ceremony on Friday, 22 July, 2005.

Whilst the no-show from many of the country's larger and more prominent biotech companies was disappointing, making up for it was large number of university- and research center-based incubation centers with display booths featuring an impressive array of biotech startups and their eager young operators. These startups together with the large number of universities promoting their biotech programs, and the hordes of students present at the exhibition, are all positive indicators of the bright future for Taiwan's biotech industry.

BioTaiwan 2005 International Exhibition is an annual event, organized by the Taiwan Bio-Industry Organization.

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