SDG17
NCKU inaugurates the first international Bio-Med aggregator hub in Taiwan, marking a new pinnacle in biomedical innovation
On the eve of the opening of the 2023 Taiwan Medical Technology Exhibition, NCKU, a key player in biomedical innovation in the southern region, announced the establishment of Taiwan's first international Bio-Med aggregator hub. Launched on November 24, 2023, the "Bio-Med Aggregator" is a collaborative effort by NCKU's Medical Device Innovation Center (MDIC) and Clinical Innovation and Research Center (CIC). The inauguration ceremony witnessed the participation of distinguished figures, including Academician and Honorary Professor at the Mayo Clinic, Professor An Jiannan, President of NCKU Hospital, Dr. Li Jingwei, Chair Professor at NCKU Medical Engineering Department, Professor Su Fangqing, Director of MDIC, Dr. Zhang Zhihan, Director of CIC, Dr. Cai Yishan, along with representatives from various sectors.
The launch event featured a special presentation by Academician An Jiannan from the Mayo Clinic, sharing practical experiences in clinical innovation and engineering research. Academician An, a renowned figure in medical engineering and orthopedics, has held significant roles such as President of the American Society of Biomechanics and Advisory Committee Member at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The establishment of the Bio-Med Aggregator underscores NCKU's commitment to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration among industry, academia, research, and medical sectors to address clinical needs.
NCKU's Center for Forward-looking Medical Equipment Technology has been selected again this year as part of the Ministry of Education's Higher Education Deep Plowing Program in the distinctive field category. It stands as the only biomedical innovation aggregator in Taiwan, integrating comprehensive university resources, medical centers, biomedical industries, business investments, and regulatory pathways, providing a one-stop service for biomedical startups in areas such as business development, innovative research and development, clinical verification, market expansion, international marketing, and regulatory certification. With abundant research and clinical support, NCKU aims to enhance cross-disciplinary collaboration and contribute to the development and improvement of Taiwan's biomedical industry.
In 2022, NCKU obtained the license as a medical equipment manufacturer and distributor, making it the first licensed institution of higher education in Taiwan. In 2023, through the efforts of the CIC team, NCKU became the first university in Taiwan to receive an AI Medical Device License, inspiring biomedical research teams to pursue this model of development.
The Bio-Med Aggregator, as Taiwan's first international-grade biomedical innovation base, focuses on unmet clinical needs, integrating the extensive clinical resources of NCKU Hospital and other hospitals in the southern region. It assists startup teams in planning clinical trials, establishing expert mentorship, practicing business models, raising entrepreneurial funds, connecting with international resources, and facilitating interaction within the startup community, aiming to reduce the risks of product development. The aggregator recommends teams to platforms such as the Phoenix Innovation Fund, NCKU Angel Investment Club, crowdfunding group FlyingV Ventures, and the Yile Innovation Platform for evaluation. Additionally, it collaborates with clinical healthcare professionals at NCKU on the e-journal "Innovation in Medical Devices and Technologies," introducing current clinical innovations and development trends every two months, and utilizes the Touch LAB at MDIC to assist teams in prototyping and conducting conceptual verification assessments.
The establishment of the Bio-Med Aggregator aims to connect diverse information and resources and provide the most suitable resources and connections for individuals with dreams of biomedical innovation and entrepreneurship. Currently, the aggregator collaborates with the Ministry of Education (Deep Plowing Program in the Distinctive Field category), the National Science Council (Biomedical and Medical Device Translation and Value-Added Talent Cultivation - ANCHOR UNIVERSITY program, Taiwan-Stanford Medical Device Product Design Talent Training program, and the Advanced Biomedical Imaging and Clinical AI Value-Added Industrial Innovation Application Alliance program), the National Applied Research Laboratories Technology Policy Research and Information Center (Taiwan-Stanford Medical Device Product Design Talent Training program), the Southern Taiwan Science Park Bureau (Southern Taiwan Industry-Academia-Research-Medicine Exchange Platform program), the Ministry of Economic Affairs (Pediatric Digital Medical Health Field program), the Academia Sinica (Healthy Longevity Grand Challenge program), and other resources. The results created by this collaboration are evident. Following the inauguration ceremony, NCKU's Center for Forward-looking Medical Equipment Technology will hold the "International Conference on Future Healthcare and Economic Development" from the 27th of this month, a 5-day event with a focus on "Trends and Future Development of Digital Healthcare and Treatment." Representatives from industry, academia, research, and medicine from over 20 countries will participate, showcasing the energy of Taiwan's biomedical innovation and engaging in international collaboration for biomedical innovation.
"The Bio-Med Aggregator," witnessed by numerous representatives from academia, industry, research, and healthcare, was inaugurated in a ceremony. The event included the presence of Academia Sinica Academician and Honorary Professor at the Mayo Medical School in the United States, Dr. An Chieh-nan (2nd from the right), Chang Gung Memorial Hospital's President Dr. Li Ching-wei (3rd from the right), Professor Su Fang-ching of the Department of Medical Engineering at NCKU (3rd from the left), Director Chang Chih-han of the Center for Advanced Medical Equipment Technology at NCKU (2nd from the left), Director Tsai Yi-shan of the Clinical Innovation and Research Development Center at NCKU Hospital (1st from the left), and other representatives from academia, industry, and research. This collective effort demonstrates NCKU's commitment to promoting biomedical innovation to address clinical needs.
NCKU, a key player in the southern biomedical innovation hub, has announced the establishment of Taiwan's first International Bio-Med Aggregator.
The NCKU Bio-Med Aggregator is Taiwan's inaugural international-level biomedical innovation hub, with a dedicated focus on addressing unmet clinical needs. It integrates the extensive clinical resources from NCKU Hospital and other medical facilities in the southern region.
