A Global Capital Convergence in Biotech
The summit brought together 20 influential leaders from global tech giants and top-tier venture capital firms — including Insight Partners, Temasek, MassMutual, and ARCH Venture — offering a rare look at how capital is being deployed across next-generation healthcare and biotech innovation.
In addition to unveiling their 2025 investment roadmaps, the forum also welcomed 15 emerging startups incubated by global pharmaceutical powerhouses such as Johnson & Johnson and Merck. Many of these startups made their first appearance in Taiwan, to pursue strategic partnerships, further underscoring Taiwan’s growing strategic role in the global biomedical innovation and capital landscape.
From fireside chats to investor roundtables, discussions explored cross-border expansion strategies, growth-stage funding, and post-investment value creation — alongside the first-ever direct matchmaking sessions between international VCs and participating startups, creating an unprecedented opportunity for global collaboration.
When AI Meets Healthcare: Generative AI Set to Reshape Biomedicine – Keynotes from NVIDIA and Microsoft
The summit opened with keynote addresses from NVIDIA’s Director & Technologist Ettikan Karuppiah, and Microsoft Asia’s Healthcare Lead Keren Priyadarshini, both exploring how artificial intelligence is transforming the biomedical landscape.
Karuppiah shared insights on “AI-Driven Innovations and Opportunities in Drug Discovery,” illustrating how AI is accelerating molecule design, streamlining drug development, and optimizing clinical application pipelines.
Priyadarshini followed with a session on “Advancing Generative AI in Biomedicine: Next Steps and Opportunities,” offering a deep dive into the integration of AI technologies across biomedical research, data processing, decision support, and next-generation healthcare services, shaping the future of medical innovation.
International Startups Take the Stage
For the first time, 18 innovative medical startups from across the globe took the stage at MedTEX Summit Asia, seeking strategic collaboration and funding opportunities. These startups, backed by major pharmaceutical companies and renowned VCs, covered diverse fields including regenerative medicine, ophthalmology implants, biomedical materials, immunotherapy, gene engineering, and AI-powered healthcare. Many of them are already unicorn-status companies, highlighting the summit’s unparalleled ability to connect global innovation with capital.
Featured startups included:
• Tempo Therapeutics
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Microporous Hydrogel for Tissue Regeneration
Backed by J&J and Galaxy Partners, Tempo develops a novel microporous hydrogel biomaterial supporting post-surgical regeneration for skin cancer, abdominal, and head-and-neck procedures. Currently raising Series A funding with USD 21 million in capital.
• EyeYon
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Artificial Corneal Implant Technology
Developer of EndoArt®, the world’s first artificial endothelial implant for corneal transplants. CE-marked, FDA Breakthrough Therapy-designated, and NMPA priority-reviewed, targeting the global corneal shortage.
• EpiBone
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Patient-Specific Bone Grafts from Stem Cells
The first U.S. company FDA-approved to manufacture bone and cartilage grafts from stem cells. Combines AI, robotics, and 3D printing to accelerate personalized skeletal regeneration.
• Arbor Biotechnologies
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Next-Gen CRISPR Gene Editing
Founded by CRISPR pioneer Dr. Feng Zhang, backed by ARCH Venture and Temasek with nearly NT$10 billion raised. Focuses on treating genetic and neurodegenerative diseases, with CTO David Cheng in Taipei for Series C fundraising.
• ImmuneBridge
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Massive Expansion of Immune Stem Cells
Supported by M Ventures and Insight Partners, ImmuneBridge can amplify hematopoietic stem cells by 100,000x for cancer, autoimmune disease, and HIV therapies. Currently in seed extension funding.
• Cirsium Biosciences
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Plant-Based AAV Vector Platform
Pioneering the use of plant cells to produce viral vectors for gene therapy, aiming to accelerate manufacturing and reduce costs for rare-disease treatments.
• Rejuvenate Bio
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Gene Therapy for Age-Related Diseases
Harvard spinout developing breakthrough therapies to reverse aging and chronic conditions by delivering anti-aging genes to extend healthy lifespan.
• Vermimmune
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Tumor Immune Redirection Platform
Founded in 2020, leveraging ViP (virus-like particle) technology to redirect pre-existing immune memory against tumors, with broad applications in oncology and RNA drug delivery.
• Arbor Biotechnologies
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Next-Gen CRISPR Gene Editing
Founded by CRISPR pioneer Dr. Feng Zhang, backed by ARCH Venture and Temasek with nearly NT$10 billion raised. Focuses on treating genetic and neurodegenerative diseases, with CTO David Cheng in Taipei for Series C fundraising.
• Coastar Therapeutics
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Membrane-Encapsulated Biologic Drug Delivery
Uses purified cell membranes to shield biologics from immune clearance, improving targeted delivery for oncology and genetic therapies.
• Myrobalan Therapeutics
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Oral Neuroregeneration for CNS Disorders
Developing selective, brain-penetrant drugs to reverse neurodegenerative conditions, aiming to restore brain function safely and effectively.
• Rapafusyn Pharmaceuticals
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Non-Peptide Molecular Glue Platform
A Johns Hopkins spinout designing novel small molecules to modulate hard-to-drug intracellular targets, tackling conditions such as acute kidney injury.
• Qritive
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10x Faster AI-Powered Digital Pathology
AI solutions integrated with Roche’s pathology platform to enhance cancer diagnosis speed and accuracy, reducing time-to-treatment worldwide.
• HistoSonics
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Non-Invasive Ultrasound Tumor Destruction
Edison System uses focused sound waves to mechanically destroy liver tumors with over 95% success, FDA-approved for minimally invasive cancer therapy.
• Niramai
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Thermal Imaging + AI for Early Breast Cancer Detection
A pain-free, radiation-free technology improving early detection rates by 25%, particularly beneficial for young women and dense breast tissue cases.
• SYNCELL
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Portable Laser Imaging for Spatial Proteomics
World’s first dual-photon laser imaging system with AI detection for 3D mapping of protein localization, driving drug discovery research breakthroughs.
• Pharmos Biopharm
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Long-Acting Pulmonary Drug Delivery
Proprietary sustained-release platform for chronic respiratory diseases, accelerating drug launch timelines through international collaborations.
• Cytonus
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Enucleated Stem Cell Cargo Platform
Uses “Cargocytes” combined with AI and synthetic biology for precise, immune-evasive drug delivery to treat cancer and severe diseases.
These companies spanned oncology, regenerative medicine, diagnostics, neurotechnology and more, each pitching behind closed doors to leading global funds during the summit.
Taiwan’s Emergence as a Strategic Innovation Hub
MedTEX Summit Asia 2024 successfully bridged frontier medical innovations with global capital, positioning Taiwan as a key hub for international collaboration in biotechnology, medtech, and healthtech investments.
Contact us
Everbright Biofund Inc.
Tel: +886-2-2655-7178