Formosa Biomedical Technology, originally spun off from the detergent division of Formosa Chemicals & Fibre Corporation, has built its operations around niche positioning and operational efficiency. Under the leadership of Sandy Wang, Standing Committee Member of the Formosa Plastics Group Management Center and Chairperson of Formosa Biomedical Technology, the company has in recent years positioned itself as a key driver of innovation within the Formosa Group. Centered on mastering critical technologies, it has actively pursued a series of strategic equity partnerships across biotechnology, advanced medical devices, circular economy, and renewable energy sectors.
Formosa Biomedical’s investment portfolio now spans pharmaceuticals, vaccines, regenerative medicine, and green energy. The company currently holds equity in or joint ventures with twelve firms, covering diverse areas such as recovery and reuse of petrochemical catalyst metals (vanadium and molybdenum), development of non-antibody protein drugs and specialized injectable technologies, water recycling, regenerative medicine (including cell therapy and exosome CDMO services), high-end medical devices, biosensors, PET bottle recycling, and implantable medical materials including medical-grade hyaluronic acid, collagen, and bone cement.
In addition, Formosa Smart Energy — a joint venture established by the “Formosa Four” (the core Formosa Plastics Group companies) and Formosa Biomedical — is expanding its footprint beyond battery cells and modules to invest in Chenghao (51.9% stake) and Chuying Energy (8.06% stake), focusing on carbon capture through microalgae, the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and battery modules for semiconductor manufacturing applications.
Through investments in AI applications, advanced medical devices, stem cell and regenerative medicine technologies, and biosensor developers, Formosa Biomedical aims to enhance both the internationalization of its brands and the development of its biotechnology park operations. The company plans to transform its 3.1-hectare Yilan facility into a biotechnology park, leveraging equity investment and joint venture models to promote high-end medical devices, next-generation diagnostic reagents, and cell manufacturing facilities, thereby building large-scale CDMO capabilities.
Among its key collaborations, Formosa Biomedical has invested in MAXIGEN BIOTECH to develop various artificial tissue implants such as synthetic bone and collagen. It has also partnered with PuriBlood Medical to establish a joint venture focused on precision diagnostic consumables — including blood collection tubes and virus filters — and specialized biochemical membranes. These products are manufactured through a contract production model using Formosa Biomedical’s production lines.
In the field of precision diagnostics, Formosa Biomedical has invested in Molsentech, a biotech firm formed by researchers from Academia Sinica, to develop a Bio-FET biosensor platform that integrates semiconductor and biomedical technologies for early and rapid detection of multiple diseases. In cell manufacturing, the company has entered the regenerative medicine sector through its investment in Apexcella Biomedical, a startup specializing in cell therapy, in collaboration with Ivy Life Sciences. The initiative also leverages the Chang Gung medical team’s expertise in regenerative medicine to strengthen Formosa Biomedical’s presence in cell and gene therapy development.
Resource: 台塑生醫 扮集團創新結盟先鋒
