E-DA Healthcare Group, comprising E-DA Hospital, E-DA Cancer Treatment Hospital, and E-DA Vhang Hospital, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Medigen Biotechnology Corp. (Medigen) to jointly advance clinical applications of cell therapy for cancer patients. Under the MOU, E-DA hospitals will provide clinical expertise and treatment execution, while Medigen will serve as the cell manufacturing partner, leveraging its specialized capabilities in cell preparation. 

In September this year, Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) announced an amendment to the Regulation Governing the Application of Specific Medical Examination Technique and Medical Device (“Regulations of Special Medical Techniques”), which opened access to multiple cell therapy technologies. Among these, autologous immune cell therapies—including adoptive T cell transfer using CIK, NK, DC, DC-CIK, TIL, and gamma-delta T cells—are now approved for the treatment of: hematologic malignancies (unresponsive to standard treatments), solid tumors in stages I–III (unresponsive to standard treatments), and Stage IV solid tumors. 

This regulatory advancement has drawn significant attention, as it offers new therapeutic options for cancer patients.  Taiwan reports approximately 80,000 to 90,000 new cancer cases annually, with around 20,000 patients diagnosed at advanced stages. The availability of cell therapy under the updated regulations represents a major breakthrough and a source of hope for patients. 

Following the signing of the MOU, E-DA Healthcare and Medigen plan to submit a cell therapy protocol to the MOHW in December, initially targeting late-stage (stage IV) cancer patients with autologous immune cell therapy. Upon regulatory approval, eligible patients will be able to receive consultations, and those deemed suitable after professional evaluation may opt to undergo self-funded immune cell therapy.  In the future, the partnership aims to expand treatment indications across earlier cancer stages, broadening access to more patients. 

Medigen has long been dedicated to the research and development of cancer therapeutics and medical technologies. Even prior to the amendment of the Regulations of Special Medical Techniques and related policy initiatives, Medigen had already invested in cell therapy research, developing proprietary immune cell culture formulas and processes that enhance the safety, purity, quantity, and cytotoxicity of immune cells. Equipped with a state-of-the-art GMP-compliant cell culture laboratory, along with expertise in clinical trial management and extensive experience collaborating with medical institutions, Medigen is committed to contributing its knowledge and resources to advancing cell therapy in the fight against cancer.