Taiwan's National Science and Technology Council(NSTC) has unveiled a strategic roadmap to propelthe nation’s semiconductor sector into new frontiers, focusing on four key strategies: sustaining current advantages, global expansion,
innovation in applications, and adaptation for sustainability. The goal is to solidify Taiwan's leadership in the global semiconductor industry while expanding its applications into vital sectors like biomedicine and agriculture.
NSTC Deputy Minister Bing-yu Chen revealed that around NT$4 billion (approximately US$136 million) has already been invested in 33 chip development projects targeting biomedical and agricultural applications. These projects leverage Taiwan’s strength in mature process technologies and aim to develop practical solutions such as diagnostic biochips and smart farming tools.
A Decade-Long Investment: Taiwan CBI
The initiative is part of the broader Taiwan Chipbased Industrial Innovation Program(Taiwan CBI), a ten-year, NT$200
billion (US$6.8 billion) program launched by the Executive Yuan in 2024. This national initiative is divided into several sub-projects, each managed by different government agencies with dedicated budgets.
One of the key components is the “Chip-powered Innovation and Upgrade” project, which has already produced initial results after 18 months of research. Outputs include analog and logic integrated circuits, microcomponent ICs, and sensor chips for applications ranging from multi-gene cancer screening and Parkinson's disease therapeutics to smart poultry farming and pest detection systems.
A Three-Tier Development Model
Pei-jung Lu, Deputy Executive Secretary of the NSTC’s Office of Science and Technology Policy, outlined a three-tier approach to implementation.The NSTC is spearheading upstream development by fostering academia-industry-research
collaborations focused on multi-functional biochips.
Midstream responsibilities fall under the Ministry of Economic Affairs, which has assigned institutions like the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and the Development Center for Biotechnology (DCB) to conduct R&D and pilot production for advanced solutions such as next-generation gene sequencing and implantable medical electronics.
The Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health and Welfare oversee downstream activities, including regulatory guidance, field testing, and integration into existing industrial ecosystems. This tier also emphasizes talent development and establishing regulatory frameworks.
Building a Collaborative Innovation Ecosystem
NSTC officials highlighted the importance of leveraging Taiwan’s mature semiconductor processes to fast-track breakthroughs across multiple industries. The 33 chip development projects in biomedicine and agriculture have
already brought together more than 30 startups and SMEs with nearly 20 academic and research institutions, forming a new and robust innovation ecosystem.
The collaborative effort aims not only to enhance Taiwan’s competitiveness in the global semiconductor landscape but also to support societal well-being through technological advancements in healthcare and food security.
With a clear strategy and coordinated multi-agency effort, Taiwan is positioning itself at the forefront of applying semiconductor technologies beyond traditional domains—transforming agriculture, healthcare, and biotechnology for the next generation.
Date:2024-7-25 Source:BISinfotech