The international and domestic biotechnology sectors are mourning the passing of Dr. Samuel Yin (尹衍樑), Chairman of the Ruentex Group, widely recognized as a visionary entrepreneur, philanthropist, and a foundational pillar of Taiwan's biomedical ecosystem. Dr. Wong Chi-huey, former President of Academia Sinica, honored Yin as a deeply respected corporate leader and philanthropist whose establishment of the global Tang Prize elevated Taiwan's visibility within the international scientific community.

• Clinical Infrastructure and Frontline Healthcare Contributions: Yin maintained a long-standing commitment to academic and clinical excellence, donating capital to National Tsing Hua University, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU), and National Chengchi University, alongside sustained funding for Academia Sinica and multiple biotech start-ups. Notably, he was the primary driving force behind Taiwan's first advanced carbon ion therapy installation at Taipei Veterans General Hospital (TVGH). Yin donated approximately NT$1.5 billion to fund the Heavy Ion Cancer Therapy Center, under the strict philanthropic mandate that 2% of the center's annual treatment capacity must be reserved entirely free of charge for economically disadvantaged cancer patients. Furthermore, he allocated over NT$2.1 billion to construct TVGH's modern medical and nursing dormitory complex, demonstrating practical support for frontline healthcare professionals. Dr. Wang Shu-chyun, Dean of the NYCU College of Medicine, stated that Yin's immense contributions to the medical academy are beyond measure and will be permanently honored by generations of faculty and students.
• Reshaping the Biotech Life Code: During the nascent stages of Taiwan's novel drug discovery and biotech startup sectors, Yin was revered as "the individual who altered Taiwan’s biotechnology life code." He early capitalized and backed prominent Taiwanese-American biopharma pioneers, including Dr. David Chang (張念慈), Dr. Jane Hsiao (許照惠), and Dr. Allen Chao (趙宇天). His recruitment of Dr. David Ho (何大一) as Chief Consultant for TaiMed Biologics successfully bridged Taiwan's local biotech industry with international antiviral research networks. The sprawling biomedical portfolio engineered by Yin spans Contract Research Organizations (CROs), novel molecular R&D, specialized healthcare venture capital, and medical distribution channels, profoundly impacting the capitalization and globalization of the industry.
• Global Academic and Public Health Mobilization: In October 2024, the Wong Chi-huey Biomedical Research Laboratory was officially inaugurated at Scripps Research in the United States. While 80% of the facility's construction capital was sourced from the US Federal Government, Yin's strategic backing was recognized as the critical linchpin that accelerated the project's execution. During the COVID-19 crisis, Yin unconditionally donated NT$2 billion to the National Health Research Institutes (NHRI) to fund accelerated vaccine research, anchoring his commitment to public health and national scientific security.
• The Tang Prize and Civilization's Longevity: Driven by a vision to address global industrial pollution, environmental degradation, and emerging infectious diseases, Yin contributed NT$3 billion to establish the international-tier Tang Prize. Awarded across four major categories—Sustainable Development, Biopharmaceutical Science, Sinology, and Rule of Law—the prize recognizes exceptional global pioneers whose innovative academic discoveries and practical social implementations guide human civilization toward long-term sustainability.

Resource:生技界悼念尹衍樑：改變台灣生醫的推手