VP Lai lauds development of biomedical industries in Taiwan
2021-1-7

Vice President Lai Ching-te praises contributions of Taiwan’s biotechnology and medical care industries during the IBMI annual assembly Jan. 4 in Taipei City. (Courtesy of Presidential Office)
Vice President La Ching-te praised Taiwan’s biotechnology and medical care industries Jan. 4 for playing a critical role in safeguarding public well-being and spurring Taiwan’s economic development.
During the annual assembly of Taipei City-based Institute for Biotechnology and Medicine Industry held in the capital, the vice president said IBMI has served as a bridge connecting the public and private sectors.
According to Lai, IBMI has been working closely with the government from the onset of COVID-19, providing key policy suggestions and charting development strategies for Taiwan’s health-related industries in the post-pandemic era.
Among the organization’s outstanding contributions is a recently patented humanized COVID-19 decoy antibody with great potential to prevent infection, Lai said. The advancement, discovered by a team headed by IBMI Vice President Dr. Yang Pan-chyr, reflects the strength of Taiwan’s R&D capabilities, he added.
As the government ramps up efforts under the six core strategic industries initiative, the vice president said he looks forward to further public-private cooperation promoting health-related developments in Taiwan.
Unveiled by President Tsai Ing-wen during her 2020 inauguration, the six core strategic industries comprise information and digital technology; cybersecurity; biotech and medical technology; national defense; green and renewable energy; and strategic stockpile industries.
Founded in 2002 by former Legislative Yuan President Wang Jin-pyng and currently headed by former Academia Sinica President Wong Chi-huey, IBMI comprises leaders of health institutions and research organizations, as well as representatives from key Taiwan industries such as biotechnology, information and communication technology and pharmaceuticals.
During the annual assembly of Taipei City-based Institute for Biotechnology and Medicine Industry held in the capital, the vice president said IBMI has served as a bridge connecting the public and private sectors.
According to Lai, IBMI has been working closely with the government from the onset of COVID-19, providing key policy suggestions and charting development strategies for Taiwan’s health-related industries in the post-pandemic era.
Among the organization’s outstanding contributions is a recently patented humanized COVID-19 decoy antibody with great potential to prevent infection, Lai said. The advancement, discovered by a team headed by IBMI Vice President Dr. Yang Pan-chyr, reflects the strength of Taiwan’s R&D capabilities, he added.
As the government ramps up efforts under the six core strategic industries initiative, the vice president said he looks forward to further public-private cooperation promoting health-related developments in Taiwan.
Unveiled by President Tsai Ing-wen during her 2020 inauguration, the six core strategic industries comprise information and digital technology; cybersecurity; biotech and medical technology; national defense; green and renewable energy; and strategic stockpile industries.
Founded in 2002 by former Legislative Yuan President Wang Jin-pyng and currently headed by former Academia Sinica President Wong Chi-huey, IBMI comprises leaders of health institutions and research organizations, as well as representatives from key Taiwan industries such as biotechnology, information and communication technology and pharmaceuticals.