It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of a true hero in the fields of hematology and cell therapy, Professor Yao-Chan Chen. A pioneer, a visionary leader, and a cherished colleague, Prof. Chen left an indelible mark on the medical landscape of Taiwan and the world.

Prof. Chen was not only the pioneer who achieved the first allogeneic stem cell transplantation in Taiwan, but he was also a bridge-builder who connected Asian science to the global community. From his early days as one of the original founding members of the International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy (ISCT) to his pivotal role in establishing the Asian Cellular Therapy Organization (ACTO), his life was dedicated to advancing patient care and scientific collaboration.

Beyond his medical legacy, Prof. Chen was a celebrated novelist whose passion for Taiwan’s history and indigenous cultures inspired a generation to rediscover their roots. To those of us who had the privilege of working alongside him—some since that first historic meeting in Mulhouse in 1992—he was a mentor, a partner, and a dear friend. We have lost a key, valuable member of our community, but his legacy will live on in the regulations he shaped, the organizations he built, and the lives he saved.

We extend our deepest condolences to his family and wish him eternal peace.

The ACTO Times

on behalf of Asian Cellular & Therapy Organization (ACTO)