AI is reshaping the global landscape of R&D, from drug design to clinical trials. Innovation is no longer a localized competition but a global race for capital, scientific talent, and industrial synergy. Despite a robust foundation in engineering and medicine, Taiwan faces hurdles such as limited market scale and funding gaps. The key to upgrading the biotech sector lies in scaling technology and capital while integrating with top-tier international VCs and research institutions.

Taiwan’s biotech sector must look beyond its domestic borders; the AI healthcare race has begun, and international connectivity is now a prerequisite for survival.

To capture this AI wave, the 8th MEDTEX Summit Asia (commencing December 3) serves as more than just a conference—it is a platform designed to link Taiwanese capital and research teams with global innovation momentum. Dr. Chi-Huey Wong, President of IBMI (Institute for Biotechnology and Medicine Industry), noted that while Taiwan’s expertise in semiconductors and ICT is world-class, the era of AI-driven innovation demands a shift away from "closed innovation" models.

Current structural challenges include small market size, insufficient clinical trial volume, and hurdles in translating research into commercial products. Furthermore, local capital often lacks deep healthcare investment experience, and AI talent remains concentrated in the ICT sector, leaving a shortage of professionals who bridge biomedical R&D with computational design.

AI is disrupting the industry at unprecedented speeds. Drug discovery and clinical trial optimization are no longer decadal marathons but sprints fueled by AI and complex human data. Global hubs like MIT, Harvard, Oxford, and Cambridge have formed elite ecosystems by integrating top talent with massive capital from Big Pharma and VCs. To land Taiwanese innovations successfully, they must plug into these "open race" networks.

This year’s MEDTEX focuses on AI drug discovery and medical robotics. The forum features six international VC firms managing over NT$8 trillion in assets, alongside ten AI healthcare unicorns. These pioneers will showcase cutting-edge tech, including AI-designed anti-cancer molecules, magnet-controlled catheters, and novel molecular glue therapies.

Dr. Wong emphasized that Taiwan is entering its "Second Take-off." The transition from "Made in Taiwan" (contract manufacturing) to "Created in Taiwan" (AI-driven drug design and smart imaging) is attracting global investment. With the world’s top healthcare index and semiconductor manufacturing, Taiwan is uniquely positioned to define new global standards in the AI-driven biomedical revolution.

Resource: 生技創新鏈接國際 AI醫療競賽拚突圍