Taiwan’s biomedical startup scene is witnessing a surge in fundraising, with eight companies collectively raising more than NT$4 billion. Strong backing from major shareholders remains the primary driver, while contributions from investors such as the National Development Fund (NDF), Taiwania Capital, TaiAn Technologies, and the Qisda Group have also played a significant role. Investment areas primarily cover new drug development, precision diagnostics, AI-driven drug discovery, and digital health. Analysts note that with both capital and technology advancing in tandem, the IPO process is expected to accelerate.
Market experts highlight three common features among the eight successfully funded startups, including TaiU Biotechnology and Syncell. First, continuous capital injection by major shareholders, as parent companies and strategic partners recognize the potential of new drugs. Second, a focus on novel therapeutics in immunomodulation, ADCs (antibody-drug conjugates), and radioligand therapies. Third, digital healthcare and AI-driven drug development are emerging as key growth highlights.
Among the eight startups, Libo Pharma and Elixiron Immunotherapeutics plan to list on the Emerging Stock Board (ESB) in Q4. Anbang Biotech, which completed NT$600 million in Series A and A+ funding last year and is preparing to raise US$30 million, will use the funds to accelerate clinical trials and plans to launch an IPO in Taiwan.
Elixiron Immunotherapeutics raised the largest funding this year, nearly NT$1 billion in pre-B/B rounds completed in June, led by Anfu Capital, Qisda Group, and the Lotte Group. The company’s main products include immunomodulatory drugs for treating Alzheimer’s disease and vitiligo.
Libo Pharma, supported by the Libo Group, attracted participation from Taishin Venture Capital, CDIB Capital, and Qisda Group, raising NT$850 million. Its flagship product, the protein-based immunotherapy NM-IL-12, targets cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
Primo Biotechnology, focusing on radioligand theranostics, raised NT$220 million this year with backing from TaiAn Technologies and SinoPac Financial Holdings. T-E Meds, founded by “Father of Antibodies” Tze-Wen Chang and specializing in ADCs, secured US$24 million (approximately NT$770 million), aiming to submit two ADC candidates for clinical trials next year.
Syncell, founded by Jung-Chi Liao with a team from Academia Sinica, has developed the world’s only platform combining microscopy for precise capture of unknown proteins and nucleic acids, called Microsc oop. After attracting convertible bond investment from DIAMOND BIOFUND in 2023, its Series A round in July was led by Taiwania Capital, with participation from NDF, ABICO Group, Himalaya Venture Fund, Everbright Biofund, BE Health, and Isaiah Capital.
Digital health and AI applications are also attracting investor attention. WECOME ENERGY raised US$20 million (approximately NT$660 million) in its Series C round, led by Taiwania Capital and supported by Wistron, Pegatron, and Cathay Financial Holdings. Its intelligent diabetes management app and cloud care platform are already commercially operational. TherapiAI, focusing on AI decision-support platforms for pharmaceutical companies, completed its seed round in June, targeting cell screening, process scale-up, and compliance document generation, demonstrating that AI is becoming a key driver in the pharmaceutical CDMO sector.
Resource: 生醫新創掀募資潮 8家募逾40億
