New biomedical park in Hsinchu attracts NT$1.62 bil. in investments

TAIPEI -- A total of 12 firms have been approved by the Hsinchu Biomedical Science Park to plant the pioneering stake in the science zone with NT$1.62 billion in investments, park authorities said yesterday. The 12 firms have become the first group of investors to enter the science park, said Hsinchu Science Park (HSP), which currently operates the biomedical park. HSP said the 12 investors will station themselves in the biomedical park's biotech building, in which they will develop technology ranging from artificial tooth roots, orthopedic implants, and drug delivery systems to other high-end medical products. The biotech building, which is able to accommodate 36 manufacturing units, is part of the first-phase of construction of the biomedical park, which covers an area of 5.03 hectares. The biomedical park has previously planned to introduce NT$1.8 billion worth of investments in the first phase of the park's development by the end of 2013. The biomedical park, which is located in northern Hsinchu with transportation links by the Taiwan High Speed Rail, has been listed as one of the island's critical technology innovation development projects. With a total area of 38.1 hectares, the biomedical park will include a hospital, a biotech development and research center, and an industrial incubation center. The park is expected to integrate the resources from government, academia and industry. Construction of the planned hospital will start in 2012 and its operation is scheduled to begin in 2014. The hospital will engage in clinical trials and provide medical services to patients in critical condition. The Council for Economic Planning and Development (CEPD), the top economic planner in Taiwan, approved a budget of NT$399 million for the hospital in its first phase, while the budget plan is pending approval by the Legislative Yuan. The hospital's total NT$1.8 billion budget will be supervised by the Department of Health. As for the biotech R&D center, construction is scheduled to start in 2012 and finish in 2013.