[Video] Taiwan Exosomes Collaborates with Waseda University and BioPhenoMA to Deepen Preclinical Research in Large Animals, Promoting International Cooperation(（Polls News）
CNEWS Correspondents Hsu Che-Kang and Lin Yu-Wei / Taipei Report
Taiwan Exosome Company (TEC) today (22nd) held the "Exosome Technology Collaboration Forum for Large Animal Preclinical Studies," bringing together representatives from Taiwan's government, industry, academia, research institutions, and medical sectors to discuss the development of exosome technology in large animal preclinical research, regenerative medicine applications, and industrial translation. TEC also announced a collaboration with Waseda University in Japan and BiophenoMA, focusing on exosome characterization and ultra-sensitive detection technologies, demonstrating the company's commitment to advancing research in Taiwan while expanding its international presence.
The forum was jointly chaired by TEC Chairman Hung Chi-Chang and Chimei Medical Center Vice Superintendent Hsu Chien-Ching, with participation from the Agricultural Technology Research Institute, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Chi Mei Hospital, and the Taiwan Society for Exosomes. Experts exchanged views on large animal preclinical study design, clinical translation requirements, regenerative medicine applications, and industry-academia collaboration models, aiming to establish a more evidence-based and internationally aligned exosome preclinical research platform.
TEC stated that large animal preclinical studies are a critical step before exosome technology can move into clinical applications, serving as an important foundation for evaluating safety, efficacy, and therapeutic potential. Through this forum, the company hopes to integrate expertise from agricultural technology, clinical medicine, academic research, and industrial development to gradually strengthen Taiwan's independent R&D and translational capabilities in the fields of exosomes and regenerative medicine.
Professor Etsuro Ito of Waseda University stated that Taiwan Exosome Company possesses technology for extracting NK cell-derived exosomes, while Waseda University has the capability to measure trace amounts of proteins contained within them. The complementary strengths of both parties create strong synergy for joint research. Hsu Chien-Ching explained that Chi Mei Hospital's role in the collaboration is to provide clinical trials. The hospital treats patients with certain rare diseases, and if eligible patients are willing to participate, relevant clinical trials can proceed after large animal preclinical studies are completed and approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB).
"Our first book, 'The Amazing Exosomes,' was written to help the public better understand the many applications of exosomes," shared Taiwan Exosome Company founder Chuang Yin-Ching. He noted that exosomes have tremendous potential as drug delivery vehicles, diagnostic tools, and therapeutic agents, making them worthy of further in-depth research. Distinguished Professor Chu Chun-Chieh of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology revealed that this collaboration builds upon his one to two decades of research on lupus-induced kidney disease in mice, exploring whether exosomes can improve kidney diseases in large animal models.
Hung Chi-Chang stated that the goal of this collaboration is not limited to a single research project but to establish a research platform. In addition to the well-known anti-inflammatory, tissue repair, and regenerative functions of exosomes, the company is particularly interested in investigating the role exosomes may play in kidney disease models, such as acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease, with the aim of conducting more in-depth research.
Beyond strengthening domestic collaborations, TEC has also established an international technology partnership with Waseda University and BiophenoMA in Japan. This collaboration combines TEC's exosome manufacturing and purification platform, particularly its clinical-grade NK cell-derived exosome technology, with BiophenoMA's TN-cyclon ultra-sensitive protein quantification technology to perform highly sensitive detection of exosome surface markers and internal proteins. The partnership is expected to enhance product quality control, batch-to-batch consistency analysis, and efficacy validation while expanding the application potential of these detection technologies in biopharmaceuticals, diagnostic reagents, and companion diagnostics.
TEC stated that it will continue promoting collaboration among industry, academia, research institutions, and medical organizations both domestically and internationally, strengthening the foundation of preclinical research, detection technology platforms, and industrial applications. The company hopes to inject new momentum into Taiwan's regenerative medicine and exosome industries while further enhancing Taiwan's global visibility and competitiveness in biomedical innovation.
Photo Credit: Hsu Che-Kang, CNEWS Correspondent