Taiwan, Israel urged to work together in medical device sector

 CNA May 1, 2013, 12:04 am TWNTAIPEI--Taiwan and Israel should step up cooperation in developing medical devices as both sides enjoy advanced technology and well-trained professionals, experts said yesterday at a seminar aimed at promoting such cooperation. Taiwan and Israel both have a medical device market worth over US$800 million, with their global market shares ranked at 27 and 26, respectively, said Chang Hsin-yi, a researcher at Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute.The similar market scopes between the two countries have made it easier to forge a partnership, Chang explained at a seminar in Taipei held to encourage industry insiders to attend the 2nd Medical Devices & Health Information Technology Conference & Exhibition from June 10-13 in Tel Aviv, Israel. Both sides could establish more frequent information exchanges in medical services and medical equipment developments, added Chen Tzen wen, a seminar speaker and superintendent of Taipei Medical University Hospital."I'd suggest that Taiwan and Israel cooperate more on clinical trials because they help identify the patients' needs and accelerate innovative developments," said Chen.Moris Topaz, another seminar speaker and head of the Plastic Surgery Unit at the Haifa-based Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, said he hopes to interact more with Taiwanese talents to explore the forefront of medical developments. Currently taking charge of a specialty medical project in wound-healing — ranging from wounds caused by accidents to diabetes — Topaz said both sides could work toward developing surgical and rehabilitation programs in related fields. Israel has advanced medical device technologies and is one of the world's major exporters of medical devices, according to the Israel Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei, which organized the seminar.