TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A Taiwanese delegation of 80 manufacturers and institutions showcased their tech at Bio International Convention 2024 biotech expo in San Diego this week.

Held at San Diego Convention Center, the four-day event features 1,000 pharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, and non-profits from 30 countries, with nearly 20,000 attendees, per CNA. The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) biotech promotion team cooperated with the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) and other agencies to set up a Taiwan pavilion.

Deputy Director-General of the MOEA’s Industrial Development Administration Chen Pei-li (陳佩利) in an interview with CNA said that 27 companies in this year’s delegation focused on new drug development, showcasing Taiwan’s capabilities in contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) and precision medicine.

“Taiwan, known as a computer powerhouse, has a strong foundation in the information and communications technology (ICT) industry, which provides a conducive environment for the biotech industry and digital medicine,” Chen said.

Head of the MOEA’s Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries Promotion Office Huang Chien-yueh (黃千岳) said Taiwan plays a crucial role in the ICT industry and that the biotech industry is still in its growth phase. Participating in international events like the Bio 2024 is a step toward globalization, he added.

“I hope that Taiwan will shine not only in semiconductors but also in the biotech industry in the future,” Huang said.

BIO International Convention is the world’s largest biotech exhibition, rotating annually between San Diego and Boston, reported CNA. The expo runs from June 3-6.