Major Milestones
Developing Regenerative Medicine and Creating a Future Star in the Biomedical Industry
To repair damaged or aging organs and tissues to prolong life, the biomedical community rushed to investigate regenerative medicine, which utilizes the regenerative properties of cells. Following the success of cell replication technology and the discovery of stem cells in the 1950s, the direction of regenerative medicine-related research had been set. However, it was not until the introduction of bone marrow transplantation technology in the 1980s that Taiwan began researching regenerative medicine. In 1999, ITRI focused on researching and developing biomedical engineering technology, developing regenerative medicine from the aspects of materials and biological science.
In the 2000s, ITRI learned regenerative medicine (e.g., stem cells, bone repair, and cell culture) from overseas to overcome obstacles for this field in Taiwan. In 2002, ITRI, BioGend Therapeutics, and National Taiwan University Hospital co-researched and co-developed the technology of repairing cartilage and bone joints using two-phase materials, and in 2008 transferred said technology (via exclusive license) to Exactech Taiwan, a subsidiary of Exactech, the fifth largest artificial joint company in the United States. The transfer set a record for the highest technology transfer royalty rates in the field of biomedicine at the time. In 2005, ITRI established Taiwan’s first-ever cell production laboratory, becoming a key promoter of cell therapy. In 2017, ITRI introduced the Cytotwister disposable cell mass production bioreactor technology, greatly improving cell production capacity and quality. In 2019, ITRI developed the world’s first-ever biomimetic knobby magnetic beads iKNOBEADS to treat cancer. In 2021, ITRI launched the Automated Cell Production System, giving birth to Taiwan’s first-ever automated cell factory that can be widely used in areas such as cell therapy, cell tissue regeneration, and cell tissue repair. During that same year, ITRI introduced the 3D Printing Biomimetic Materials and Structures for Tissue Integration (BioMS-Ti) that accelerates tissue integration and repair, which was transferred to Ingrowth Biotech. In 2022, ITRI developed the Cell Sheet Biomedical Material Integration System, expediting the development of Taiwan’s cell therapy-related regenerative medicine. ITRI is committed to building Taiwan’s regenerative medicine technology and assisting industries to emerge on the international stage.
ITRI obtained human embryonic stem cell samples from Australian/Singaporean company ESI prior to embarking on cooperative research and development, creating Taiwan’s first-ever human embryonic stem cell strain.
ITRI, BioGend Therapeutics, and National Taiwan University Hospital co-researched and co-developed the technology of repairing cartilage and bone joints using two-phase materials.
ITRI introduced a rapid-proliferation and separation of stem cell technology (provided by Tulane University in the U.S.), establishing technologies for adult stem cell GLP/GMP laboratories, and completed Taiwan’s first-ever domestic GMP-compliant medical-grade cell mass production laboratory.
ITRI and National Taiwan University Hospital codeveloped technology to repair cartilage and bone joints using two-phase materials. The technology features the advantages of short operation time, small wounds, and fast recovery. The technology was transferred (via exclusive license) to Exactech Taiwan, a subsidiary of Exactech, the fifth largest artificial joint company in the United States. The transfer set a record for the highest technology transfer royalty rate in the field of biomedicine at the time.
ITRI and British company Altrika jointly developed a polymer substrate suitable for umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell attachment and growth, and mass-produced umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (via 3D culture) by using Altrika’s polymer synthesis, screening, and analysis technology.
ITRI collaborated with Dutch company AAE, using precision optical grinding technology to process collagen matrix materials with ocular tissue repair functions into bio-lens with optical capabilities.
ITRI presented the bionic epidermis tissue EPiTRI, successfully developing an innovative mechanism for cosmetics testing.
ITRI introduced Cytotwister, a disposable cell mass production bioreactor, which served as the optimal option for stem cell-related medical treatment.
ITRI’s Adhesive Cell Farm cultivates high-quality cells with 3D structures to maximum cell growth in limited spaces.
ITRI developed the iKNOBEADS biomimetic knobby magnetic beads, which won an R&D 100 Award and a bronze 2020 Edison Award.
An agreement with the Czech Repulic was signed for the EPiTRI bionic full skin tissue printing technology, connecting this technology to the EU market and winning numerous awards.
ITRI introduced BioMS-Ti, the first-ever bionic 3D printing technology that promoted tissue integration, combining the advantages of 3D printing, mechanical structures, and biocompatibility to quickly repair bones, tendons, ligaments, and soft tissues. The technology subsequently won an R&D 100 Award.
ITRI launched the Automated Cell Production System that can produce adherent stem cells and somatic cells as biologics or biological drugs. The system is used in a wide range of applications including cell therapy, cell tissue regeneration, and cell tissue repair.
ITRI developed the Cell Sheet Biomedical Material Integration System and combined it with ITRI’s self-built cell bank and biomedical materials, turning cell mixtures into jelly-like cell tissue layers that are aseptically packaged and safe to use. The cell sheet can be used in cell therapy-related regenerative medicine.
