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ITRI Tech Highlights at Bio Taiwan 2018
At Bio Taiwan 2018 this July, ITRI presented several of its biotech innovations that are expected to help companies seize business opportunities in the market of smart healthcare. Display highlights include Taiwan’s very first Eye-Drop Delivery Technology which can increase drug exposure in ocular tissue and reduce eye drop dosing frequency, a radiofrequency ablation (RFA) system for liver tumor treatment, and a wearable ultrasound cardiovascular monitor device.
Dr. Chii-Wann Lin, ITRI’s Vice President and General Director of Biomedical Technology and Device Research Laboratories, remarked that ITRI has continuously been working to promote the development of biomedical technology, which is part of the central government’s 5+2 Industrial Innovation Plan. By introducing advanced technologies to industry and putting together individual technologies into systematic integrated platforms, ITRI aims to create new opportunities for pharmaceutical developments and make biotechnology the next trillion-dollar industry.
ITRI’s Eye-Drop Delivery Technology can reduce eye drop dosing frequency and increase drug exposure in ocular tissue.
At this year’s Bio Taiwan, ITRI showcased 16 technologies. The Eye-Drop Delivery Technology, for example increases drug exposure per unit dose up to 23-fold compared to original formulation. With this technology, eye drop dosing frequency can be decreased from four times to twice daily. This lowers the risks of eye diseases caused by high-frequency eye drop usage, and meanwhile, allows the drugs to reach the macula and retina at the back of the eye more easily. Currently ITRI has seen promising results in animal testing. It is believed that it will definitely benefit patients suffering from eye diseases after its technology transfer and launch to the market.
For high-end smart medical devices, ITRI developed the only radiofrequency ablation (RFA) system in Taiwan that can be combined with an image guidance system to destroy liver tumors. During non-surgical interventional therapy, an electrode is guided to a target lesion to conduct regional treatment. The RF waves agitate tissue ions around the electrode, creating frictional heat which causes local tissue necrosis. The technology is used to remove and treat liver tumors with significant results and little damage to normal tissue.
ITRI’s RFA technology can be combined with an image guidance system to treat liver cancer.
In addition, ITRI’s Wearable Ultrasound Cardiovascular Monitor Device is the first in Taiwan that can be linked to a cloud platform. So far this technology has stimulated approximately NT$250 million revenues in ultrasound related components. The technology miniaturizes the ultrasound probe to about 2.3 cm in diameter and approximately 0.5 cm thick. It can measure 20 parameters, including peak velocity of blood flow, heart ejection fraction, artery impedance, and cardiac output. ITRI is working with manufacturers to promote the technology, which is expected to hit the overseas market of wearable cardiovascular monitor devices after the marketing authorization is granted this year.