Innovating Therapies for Global Health Challenges: TMU Hosts 4th International Symposium on Drug Discovery

Marking its fourth consecutive year under the International Drug Discovery Consortium, the symposium has continued to grow as a global platform for advancing biomedical innovation and strengthening international research collaboration. Organized by TMU’s Office of Global Engagement, this year’s event welcomed distinguished researchers and experts from leading institutions in Taiwan and Europe, including the University of Cagliari in Italy, the University of Lille in France, and the University of Naples Federico II in Italy. 

Through keynote lectures, research presentations, and academic discussions, participants explored advances across a broad range of biomedical fields, highlighting the growing importance of international collaboration in addressing global health challenges.

In his opening remarks, TMU President Mai-Szu Wu emphasized the rapid transformation taking place in medicine and healthcare. He noted that drug discovery is evolving from conventional trial-and-error approaches toward more targeted, predictive, and proactive therapeutic interventions. He further highlighted the role of international academic exchange in accelerating innovation and strengthening research partnerships that contribute to the future of global healthcare.

Reflecting this vision, the symposium featured presentations spanning antiviral drug development, medicinal chemistry, anticancer therapeutics, antibiotics, neurodegenerative disease research, nanodrug delivery systems, and AI-assisted approaches to drug discovery. Together, these topics demonstrated how advances in biomedical science are opening new possibilities for treating complex diseases while supporting the development of more precise and effective therapies.

The international speaker lineup included renowned researchers from Italy and France, who shared the latest developments in antiviral research, Alzheimer’s disease therapeutics, antimicrobial resistance, molecular modeling, nanomedicine, and translational drug development. TMU faculty members also showcased ongoing research in cancer immunotherapy, hepatitis B treatment, extracellular vesicle applications, targeted therapeutics, and innovative drug delivery platforms, highlighting the university’s growing research capacity and commitment to advancing translational medicine.

A highlight of this year’s symposium was the student poster presentation competition, which provided a platform for emerging researchers to present their work and engage with experts from around the world. The competition reflected TMU’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of biomedical scientists while fostering an international research environment. Award recipients represented diverse academic and cultural backgrounds, with top honors awarded to students from Taiwan, Vietnam, and India for research spanning genomic analysis, extracellular vesicle applications, and novel therapeutic approaches for cancer treatment.

Concluding the symposium, Jane C.-J. Chao, Dean of the Office of Global Engagement and Chair of the Organising Committee, reaffirmed the importance of creating opportunities for scientific exchange and international collaboration. She noted that meaningful dialogue across disciplines and borders is essential for advancing drug discovery and translating research innovations into future healthcare solutions.

As the International Symposium marks its fourth year, it continues to serve as a global platform connecting researchers, institutions, and emerging talent across borders. By bringing together expertise from across Europe and Taiwan, the symposium strengthens international research networks, promotes interdisciplinary collaboration, and contributes to the development of innovative therapies that address evolving healthcare needs worldwide.