CPHI Japan, a leading global pharmaceutical exhibition, opened on April 21. Led by the Department of Industrial Technology (DoIT) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), 16 leading biomedical companies formed the Taiwan Pharma Pavilion to expand their presence in the Asia-Pacific market.

The pavilion highlights Taiwan's comprehensive capabilities across four key areas: CDMO/API, Drug R&D and Equipment Services, Innovative and Improved New Drugs, and High-Barrier Generic Drugs. By presenting these strengths on a global stage, Taiwan aims to deepen international partnerships and position itself as a reliable partner in the pharmaceutical supply chain.

On the first day of the exhibition, the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) signed a cooperation agreement with the iPark Institute, which operates one of the largest life science research hubs in Japan. The strategic partnership integrates R&D, clinical, and manufacturing capabilities to promote cross-border collaboration in innovative drugs and key technologies, creating a complementary framework for market expansion between Taiwan and Japan.

During the opening ceremony, Chien-Cheng Tai, Senior Specialist at DoIT, noted that 2026 marks a pivotal year for Taiwan's pharmaceutical industry as it expands beyond its R&D strengths to build a more complete global supply chain presence. As part of this effort, the MOEA is promoting a two-stage international outreach strategy: Japan will serve as the entry point for regulatory alignment and early market access, while Milan in Italy will act as a global manufacturing hub, linking international pharmaceutical companies with Taiwan's strong CDMO ecosystem. This approach aims to integrate Taiwan more deeply into the global pharmaceutical supply chain while highlighting its advantages in manufacturing flexibility and technological integration.

Shyue-Yow Chou, Deputy Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan, added that the partnership enables both sides to leverage complementary strengths and strengthen their roles in the global pharmaceutical supply chain. Toshio Fujimoto, CEO of iPark Institute, emphasized that Taiwan's robust R&D capabilities, comprehensive manufacturing base, and rich clinical resources make it a highly promising partner for advancing global pharmaceutical innovation.

To further deepen industry collaboration, 14 Japanese pharmaceutical companies will participate in industry exchange sessions with Taiwanese firms during the exhibition. The Taiwan delegation will also visit leading companies such as Otsuka Pharmaceutical, FUJIFILM Biotechnologies, and Astellas Pharma. By combining Taiwan's manufacturing resilience with its development efficiency, the delegation aims to expand contract manufacturing and technical collaboration opportunities while strengthening ties between Taiwan's and Japan's pharmaceutical industries.