The 2025 Asia Biotech Expo will kick off on January 24 at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center Hall 1. National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), at Booth N715A, will lead the Great Southern Taiwan Research Commercialization Platform schools, its spin-off startups, the NCKU Medical Alliance hospitals, and corporate partners in a joint exhibition of nearly 30 teams. The showcase features 22 pitching sessions, integrating top-tier biomedical R&D strengths from central and southern Taiwan, providing opportunities for integrated clinical collaborations, and inviting domestic and international partners to co-create a new future in biomedicine.

Clinical R&D and AI-driven Innovations

• NCKU Medical Alliance Members: NCKU Hospital, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Changhua Christian Hospital, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, E-DA Hospital, and Chiayi Chang Gung Memorial Hospital all present cutting-edge clinical R&D achievements.

• Juming Biotech (NCKU spin-off) developed the CanWellBeing software, which uses a proprietary AI algorithm to analyze abdominal CT images in just 3 seconds, generating over 70 indicators compared against big data. This assists in chemotherapy dose optimization, early screening of chronic/metabolic diseases, and proactive health management. Unlike existing DEXA/BIA methods that measure only muscle mass, it introduces “muscle quality” as a disease predictor, reducing doctors’ manual quantification time from 40 minutes to 3 seconds.

Diagnostic and Point-of-Care Innovations

• Changxing Materials showcased multi-platform in vitro diagnostics (IVD) technology, spanning gold nanoparticles, quantum dots, and AI-powered aptamer-based rapid tests. New products like fluorescence rapid tests and quick ELISA kits enable biochemical analysis without laboratory referral, advancing point-of-care testing (POCT) adoption.

• Taichung Veterans General Hospital & Huide Technology jointly developed the Acura AKI Prediction Software, the first AI-assisted acute kidney injury risk predictor for critical care. It forecasts ICU patients’ AKI risk within 24 hours, enabling early physician intervention to reduce dialysis or mortality risks.

• Changhua Christian Hospital created the Assistive Syringe Actuator (ASA)—an ergonomic, pen-grip device allowing single-handed aspiration and injection, ideal for rehabilitation, orthopedics, and thyroid ultrasound-guided injections.

• Chung Shan Medical University spin-off DingJian Technology developed iRelief™ Cooling Hand & Foot Masks, which alleviate discomfort caused by sensory hypersensitivity within 2–5 minutes through cold-stimulation therapy.

• Chiayi Chang Gung Memorial Hospital introduced a portable dehydration detector, requiring only a small saliva sample and disposable test strip for non-invasive, real-time hydration monitoring. It also applies to long-term chronic dehydration and diabetes blood sugar tracking.

NCKU Startup Accelerator & Teams

Since 2023, NCKU has operated the Precision Health Industry Accelerator, guiding startups with prototype products toward product-market fit. This year, six startups are participating:

• AB DigiHealth – Developed icONE Intelligent Embryo Quality Prediction System, integrating AI with embryo genomic data and female physiological parameters to achieve a 92% accuracy rate in predicting IVF pregnancy outcomes, with clinical trials showing pregnancy rates improved up to 81%.

• Hengxin Technology – Created the Smart Dynamic Cardiac Function Assessment System, a wearable device measuring cardiac motion per beat (CMPB) to track real-time cardiac function changes during exercise and rehabilitation.

• FongKang Microfluidics – Developed AI-powered kidney disease prediction and the CoreTest® Kidney Injury Detection Device, combining AI algorithms with portable testing for early and accurate renal risk assessment.

• XiongXin Technology – Introduced iSAFE Smart Care Platform, integrating AI vision, multi-modal health monitoring, and behavior analysis to detect falls, abnormal health data, and notify caregivers, easing manpower burden.

• iEN Medical – Through its e-commerce platform “Air Nursing Station”, launched smart wound care services, using AI to match dressings with patient needs, deliver to homes, and track healing progress post-discharge.

• HaoHao Healthcare – Developed user-friendly nursing tools, including a single-nurse patient repositioning system, a magnetic mask holder to prevent pressure injuries, and anti-tangling cable organizers to improve nursing efficiency.

Academic Collaboration and Regional Integration

NCKU has participated in the Asia Biotech Expo for five consecutive years since 2021, leading over 150 teams in total. This year, alongside professors Ming-Long Yeh, Pao-Chu Chan, Chun-Te Liao, Wo-Long Hsiu, Hung-Yu Sun, and Chen-Kuei Chung, NCKU also unites resources from the Great Southern Taiwan Research Commercialization Platform. Partner schools include National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology (Ya-Ling Huang, Chih-Yao Hou, Te-Hsien Hsu), National University of Kaohsiung of Nursing and Health Sciences (Chao-Cheng Hsu), National Pingtung University (Mei-Yi Liao), and Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology (Ming-Che Chen, Chun-Chieh Chu). Together, they demonstrate NCKU’s role as a leading platform university, showcasing its strong research momentum and collaborative power.