MOST and SmartLabs will jointly establish an international biomedical innovation base in Hsinchu Biomedical Science Park

SmartLabs, the international biomedical accelerator with which the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) has been working to introduce in Taiwan, formally established a preparatory office today (December 16) in the Hsinchu Biomedical Science Park.  SmartLabs and MOST will jointly establish this international biomedical innovation base, and it is expected that the first overseas office of SmartLabs will be launched in February 2020.

SmartLabs selected Taiwan as its first stop in Asia and its first overseas office, aiming to connect Asia's startup ecosystem and expand its business worldwide.

Founded in 2015, SmartLabs focuses on the field of biomedical sciences. It is based in Boston, which itself is a hub of innovation-oriented startups. It has incubated world-renowned gene editing companies, including Editas Medicine (EDIT) and CRISPR Therapeutics (CRSP).  SmartLabs selected Taiwan as its first stop in Asia and its first overseas office, aiming to connect Asia's startup ecosystem and expand its business worldwide.  MOST has worked to bring SmartLabs to Taiwan to invest even more innovative elements into Taiwan's biomedical industry, including human and financial resources and R&D collaborations. It will help connect Taiwan with the international community, driving the development of biomedical startups in Taiwan.

MOST and SmartLabs will work together in screening potential biomedical startups and will conduct a “SmartLabs Global Launch” program for Taiwan startups

Since 2018, MOST has begun promoting the "Biomedical Cluster Innovation and Integration Plan", actively introducing international biomedical accelerators and international startups to the Hsinchu Biomedical Science Park.  The MOST Minister Liang-Gee Chen remarked that MOST and SmartLabs will work together in screening potential biomedical startups here. And SmartLabs will conduct a “SmartLabs Global Launch” program for Taiwan startups focusing on international marketing and distribution, intellectual property and regulations, as well as fundraising and financial planning.  The nurturing program will be customized to meet the actual needs of each startup team, thereby providing localized and customized assistance, while utilizing a cloud platform to minimize any time lag.  Outstanding teams will receive financial support and be invited to spend another three months at the SmartLabs headquarters in Boston to be engaged in the business.  This will enhance the global competitiveness of Taiwan's startups.  And through the international network, SmartLabs will assist in introducing international investors and help lead Taiwan's startups to the world stage.

Media Contact

Min-Cheh Lin
Section Chief
Department of Academia-Industry Collaboration and Science Park Affairs,
Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST)
Tel : +886-2-2737-7212
E-mail: miclin@nstc.gov.tw