Taiwan and Japan signed a biomedical memorandum of understanding March 14 in Taipei City, further strengthening industrial exchanges between the two countries.
The agreement will see Hsinchu-based Chinan Biomedical Technology Inc. and Japan’s International Grain Plan Support Center Preparation Room jointly develop advanced equipment for proton cancer treatment, according to InvesTaiwan Service Center.
Signed by Chinan Biomedical CEO James Chin-an Chen and his Japanese counterpart Masaru Sugimoto, the deal clears the way for the Japanese firm to invest NT$1 billion (US$33 million) in the Taiwan-based project.
“The MOU is the first tie-up between Taiwan and Japan’s biomedical sectors since the Ministry of Economic Affairs started promoting bilateral industrial cooperation in May 2011,” ITSC head Christophe Lai said.
The collaboration is expected to fast-track biomedical development in both nations and provide more effective treatment for cancer patients worldwide. It also enables the Japanese firm to make inroads into the mainland Chinese market.
Lai said proton cancer treatment is more desirable to other types of external beam therapies as it localizes radiation dosages, causing less damage to normal body tissue and fewer side effects.
Despite these benefits, just a handful of Taiwan hospitals offer the service, mainly using equipment imported from Japan. Advanced technology and high production costs are cited by industry analysts as major factors limiting take-up of the treatment.
Established in 2011, Chinan is the first local company to market the service in Taiwan. In addition to the memorandum, the firm has R&D pacts in place with National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, National Tsing Hua University and National Central University. (JSM)
Write to Meg Chang at meg.chang@mail.gio.gov.tw