Category: Uncategorized
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Overcoming manufacturing bottlenecks in cell and gene therapy: The emergence of the intelligent development and manufacturing organization (IDMO) model in Asia
Yu-Hsiang Chang, Ph.D.Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Locus Cell Co., Ltd. Abstract The clinical efficacy of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapies has irrevocably transformed the landscape of oncology and personalized medicine. Despite these groundbreaking clinical successes, the broad accessibility of these advanced therapies is severely limited by traditional manufacturing paradigms. High production costs, reliance on…
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From Formosa to the world: leading the new era of regenerative medicine and cellular therapy in Taiwan
Dr. Chen-Chie Wang, MD., Ph.D.President of Formosa Association of Regenerative Medicine (FARM)Director of Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, New Taipei City, TaiwanDepartment of Orthopedics, School of Medicine, Hualien Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan Regenerative medicine has rapidly evolved from experimental concepts into a transformative force in standard clinical care, ushering in a new…
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Taiwan Association for Cellular Therapy (TACT)
April 29, 2026 The Taiwan Association for Cellular Therapy (TACT; https://www.celltherapy.org.tw/) was founded in 2014 with the mission of promoting cross-sector collaboration among industry, government, academia, medical institutions, and research communities in the field of cellular therapy. The Association is dedicated to advancing cell therapy science, technology, education, clinical translation, industrial development, and the establishment and refinement…
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Therapeutic Potentials of Induced Pluripotent and Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes
Vijetha Karen Kitchley, M.Sc.Editorial Office, The ACTO TimesInternational PhD Program in Cell Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan Introduction Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have long been at the forefront of regenerative medicine due to their multipotency and immunomodulatory properties[1, 2]. However, direct stem cell transplantation is often limited by challenges such as donor-to-donor…
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iPSC-derived cardiac cell sheets for heart regeneration: Progress towards clinical translation
Yuan-Yuan Cheng, Ph.D.International Ph.D. Program in Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine,College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan Abstract Background Heart disease remains the second leading cause of death worldwide. Currently, heart transplantation is considered the only definitive treatment for severe heart failure due to the poor heart regeneration after injury. Adult cardiomyocytes lose their proliferative…
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Oxidative stress-driven metabolic reprogramming failure in MERRF patient’s iPSC-derived neurons: from neurodevelopmental deficits to novel therapies
Yu-Ting Wu, Ph.D. & Yau-Huei Wei, Ph.D.Center for Mitochondrial Medicine and Free Radical ResearchChanghua Christian Hospital, Changhua City, Taiwan Abstract Background: Myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fibers (MERRF) syndrome is one of the severe mitochondrial encephalomyopathies, which are characterized by mitochondrial dysfunction and excess production of the reactive oxygen species (ROS). During neurogenesis, neural progenitor cells must…
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The 20-year journey of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in regenerative medicine
Tzu-Yu Chen, Yu-Xiu Lin, & Thai-Yen Ling, Ph.D.Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, College of MedicineNational Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are pluripotent stem cells generated through the reprogramming of differentiated somatic cells into an embryonic stem cell-like state via the ectopic expression of defined transcription factors. Due to their unlimited self-renewal capability…
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Discover Indonesia through ACTO Annual Meeting 2026 in Jakarta
D. Renovaldi, M.Sc.Editorial Office, The ACTO TimesInternational Ph.D Program in Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan Welcome to Indonesia Indonesia, the world’s largest archipelago, is a vibrant nation consisting of more than 17,000 islands, rich in cultural diversity, natural beauty, and warm hospitality. Home to hundreds of ethnic groups, languages, and traditions, Indonesia offers visitors a…
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17th annual meeting of ACTO will be held in Jakarta, Indonesia
“Advancing Research & Clinical Translation of Cell-Based Therapies: Academician, Business, Clinician, and Government” The 17th Annual Meeting of the Asian Cellular Therapy Organization (ACTO), in collaboration with the Indonesian Stem Cell Association (ASPI), will be held on 26–28 August 2026 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The meeting will bring together experts in cellular therapy, regenerative medicine, and…
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Japan’s Dual-Track Regulatory Framework for iPSC Therapies: Lessons, Limitations, and Global Implications
Che-Wen, Tsai, Ph.D.(Candidate.)Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan The Rise of iPS Cells: From Concept to Clinical Hope Regenerative medicine is a multidisciplinary field addressing diseases characterized by irreversible tissue loss—conditions that historically relied on organ transplantation. However, transplantation is often stymied by chronic donor shortages, ethical dilemmas, and the…
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