Taiwan delegation to BIO 2005 holds dinner with US counterparts in Philadelphia

Press release
For immediate release

18 June, 2005
PHILADELPHIA, US, / -- BiotechEast, for the Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Industries Program Office, MOEA – / Taiwan’s delegation to BIO 2005, plus a select audience of East Coast US biotech leaders, business people and friends of Taiwan, took part in a special networking dinner in Philadelphia on Saturday night to celebrate the delegation’s participation in the world’s largest biotech-focused event, a four-day conference and exhibition starting from June 19th at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

The dinner event—the Taiwan-US Biotech Seminar—was organized by the US-based Monte Jade Science & Technology Association, and the Taiwan Bio-Industry Association. The Taiwan delegation to BIO 2005 is being led by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and is headed by Dr. Lin Ferng-ching, Minister of State.

Key note speakers at the evening’s event included Johnsee Lee, President of the Taiwan Bio Industry Association, and Kevin Buchi, Chief Financial Officer at Cephalon, one of only a handful of profitable biotechnology companies in existance, with 2004 revenues of over US$1 billion. Also speaking to the gathering of over 200 guests was the director of IDB, Chen Chao-yih; Minister of State and co-convener of the Science & Technology Advisory Group (STAG), Lin Ferng-ching; US-based executives from Monte Jade, and a representative from the Pennsylvania State
 Governor’s office.

Lin spoke of his excitement of leading such a strong delegation, 150 members strong, to the most important event of the global biotech calendar. Lin had arrived in Philadelphia just one hour previously, after spending the last few days in meetings in New York.

“The most important thing I can say after coming all this way is that I’m very enthusiastic and optimistic in promoting Taiwan as a center for biotechnology, and especially as a gateway to the rest of Asia,” he said.

Speaking during a panel discussion at the end of the dinner event, IDB Director Chen suggested that it was the human element that was key to Taiwan’s strong current showing and potential in biotech.

Johnsee Lee introduces Taiwan's biotechnology industry.

“Our success is all about people. It’s in our human resources, in our large pool of highly-educated bio-scientists,” Chen explained. He also said that Taiwan had a particularly strong opportunity to succeed in the field of medical devices, as this sector drew on Taiwan’s existing strengths in IT and precision manufacturing.

Whilst the IDB is responsible for many industrial sectors, not just biotechnology, Chen mentioned that his office is working particularly strongly with the island’s life science community to encourage the sector’s continued growth and development.

About the Industrial Development Bureau (IDB):
The Industrial Development Bureau (IDB), Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), was established in 1970 with the following missions and functions: To formulate policies, strategies and measures for industrial development; to promote industrial upgrading; to develop and manage industrial parks: to formulate financial and tax measures for industrial development; to prevent industrial pollution, provide guidance on industrial safety, and regulate factories; and to administer general industrial affairs. Please visit www.moeaidb.gov.tw for further details.

About the Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Industries Program Office (BPIPO)
The Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Industries Program Office (BPIPO), Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), is a window through which local foreign companies can facilitate business and cooperation, and coordinate with other agencies involved in biotech-related business and regulatory processes. It also serves as an integrating arm, implementing and promoting polices concerning the development of biotech in Taiwan. BPIPO assists local industry in investment integration, helping to reduce and eliminate process and regulatory bottlenecks. The overall aim of the BPIPO is the establishment of an environment conducive to the development of a world-class biotech industry in Taiwan. Please visit www.biopharm.org.tw/en for further details.

Contact:
Jenny Chen
Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Industries Program Office (BPIPO), MOEA
Ph: 886 2 26558133 ext. 103 Fax: 886 2 26558134
Email: jenny@biopharm.org.tw
www.biopharm.org.tw

The Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries Program Office, Ministry of Economic Affairs TAIWAN