(Economic Daily News – Reporter Hsieh Po-hung) — To deepen industry–academia–research collaboration, Hwa-Yao Technologies (7799) announced on September 2 the signing of a cooperation agreement with National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) to establish the Hwa-Yao–NTHU Joint Research Center. The signing ceremony was attended by NTHU President W. John Kao, Vice President for R&D Chiu Po-wen, Hwa-Yao Chairman Hsu Chin-jung, and General Manager Shen Hsiao-lien.
The center will integrate expertise and resources from both sides to advance accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy (AB-BNCT), along with accelerator-related medical technologies. It aims to accelerate translational research and bring industry-ready innovations to clinical and commercial applications. This marks a new milestone for Taiwan in precision medicine and advanced medical devices, while addressing the global demand for innovative cancer treatments.
Hwa-Yao has long collaborated with NTHU, beginning with technology transfer from NTHU and ITRI to commercialize BNCT-related results. In recent years, joint projects in this field have grown substantially, surpassing NT$10 million annually. Building on this foundation, the joint research center will operate for five years starting in September 2025, with Hwa-Yao committing at least NT$50 million to support BNCT research, foster international collaborations, and cultivate specialized talent.
President Kao emphasized that BNCT exemplifies interdisciplinary research moving toward clinical application, requiring integration across nuclear science, medicine, pharmaceuticals, materials, and engineering. He noted that NTHU’s strengths in both talent and research make it a natural partner, and that the new center ensures research outcomes are closely aligned with industry needs and clinical practice. “This collaboration is more than an academic–industry alliance—it is an international platform that will allow NTHU faculty and students to tackle frontier challenges while amplifying Taiwan’s role in global medical technology.”
Hwa-Yao Chairman Hsu highlighted the company’s mission since its founding in 2017: to make BNCT a real option for patients. From gaining medical device certifications, to collaborations with China Medical University Hospital and Taipei Veterans General Hospital, to agreements with BenQ Medical Center, Hwa-Yao has steadily advanced BNCT development. “The establishment of this joint center represents another milestone, positioning Taiwan as a key global hub for BNCT R&D and clinical application,” he said.
Moving forward, the center will combine industrial practice with academic innovation to accelerate technology development, validation, and commercialization. Its research will focus on several core areas: BNCT drug development, accelerator and neutron source technology, hybrid radiation field measurement, standards for medical exposure quality assurance, and interdisciplinary talent training.