NEWS
中文Industry Cooperation
- Publish Date：2024-10-23
A Milestone in Taiwan’s Precision Cancer Treatment: NYCU Outstanding Alumnus Archie Hwang Donates NT$1.2 Billion AB-BNCT Equipment, Boosting Cancer Care
Translated by Professor Haydn Chen
Edited by Chance Lai
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Edited by Chance Lai
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Mr. Archie Hwang, an outstanding alumnus of National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) and founder and chairman of Hermes-Epitek Corporation, generously donated accelerator-based Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (AB-BNCT) equipment developed by Heron Neutron Medical Corp. (with over 80% ownership by Hermes-Epitek), to support Taiwan’s medical advancements through NYCU on October 22. Valued at NT$1.2 billion, including installation costs, the equipment will be installed at Taipei Veterans General Hospital (TVGH), with future management and use overseen by the joint NYCU-TVGH team, marking a new milestone in Taiwan’s cancer radiotherapy.
AB-BNCT Set to Launch in 2027, Elevating Taiwan’s Cancer Radiotherapy to International Standards
BNCT is a highly targeted cancer therapy that combines drugs and radiation. Boron-containing drugs selectively accumulate in tumor cells, which are then irradiated with a neutron beam, triggering a nuclear reaction that destroys the cancer cells while sparing normal tissue. Since 2010, TVGH has treated over 500 patients with BNCT, achieving a two-year survival rate of 47% and a response rate of 65% for recurrent head and neck cancers. The hospital plans to extend BNCT applications to other cancers, including meningiomas, gynecological, and breast cancer.
AB-BNCT Set to Launch in 2027, Elevating Taiwan’s Cancer Radiotherapy to International Standards
BNCT is a highly targeted cancer therapy that combines drugs and radiation. Boron-containing drugs selectively accumulate in tumor cells, which are then irradiated with a neutron beam, triggering a nuclear reaction that destroys the cancer cells while sparing normal tissue. Since 2010, TVGH has treated over 500 patients with BNCT, achieving a two-year survival rate of 47% and a response rate of 65% for recurrent head and neck cancers. The hospital plans to extend BNCT applications to other cancers, including meningiomas, gynecological, and breast cancer.
Principle of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (Photo credit: COSYLAB)
The AB-BNCT equipment is expected to be installed by 2025 and fully operational by 2027. It will be provided free of charge to TVGH to enhance cancer care, clinical teaching, and research. This makes the hospital one of the few worldwide to offer heavy particle therapy and BNCT, elevating Taiwan’s cancer treatment to international standards. Developed in Taiwan, this state-of-the-art equipment aligns with global efforts by Japan, the U.S., China, and South Korea and has received approval from Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare. The collaboration between academia and healthcare will further propel Taiwan’s biotechnology and medical industries.
President Chi-Hung Lin admired Mr. Archie Hwang’s unwavering dedication to giving back to his alma mater and advancing public welfare. In addition to previous donations of NT$30 million and NT$200 million worth of high-end equipment, which have supported NYCU’s cutting-edge research initiatives, Mr. Hwang has also collaborated with alumni and corporate partners to support the construction of the Smart Hospital (Chu-Ming Hospital), currently under development at the Boai campus.
This latest donation of AB-BNCT equipment, through his alma mater and TVGH—the only institution in Taiwan capable of conducting BNCT clinical treatments—not only demonstrates his deep connection with NYCU but also promotes the development of precision medicine and cancer research in Taiwan, benefiting more cancer patients and fulfilling his commitment to social responsibility.
President Lin mentioned that as TVGH is NYCU’s most important clinical and teaching partner, the university entrusts this state-of-the-art BNCT equipment to TVGH for clinical, education, and research purposes. This will help TVGH expedite its original equipment implementation plan, providing cancer patients with earlier access to treatment. Furthermore, the collaboration between TVGH and the NYCU team will foster further cooperation in research and education.
Dr. Wei-Ming Chen, Superintendent of TVGH, expressed his deep gratitude to Mr. Archie Hwang for his generous and selfless support of the medical field. He mentioned that the current nuclear reactor, used in collaboration with National Tsing Hua University (NTHU), can no longer meet the growing demand from domestic and international patients. With the installation of this AB-BNCT equipment for clinical, teaching, and research purposes, patients will experience significantly less travel burden during treatment, effectively reducing risks in emergency situations. Furthermore, the equipment will provide timely and sufficient medical care, genuinely fulfilling the goal of patient-centered healthcare and benefiting even more patients.
This donation not only accelerates the hospital’s treatment timeline but also fosters greater collaboration in research and education between the hospital and NYCU. The equipment will reduce the travel burden for patients, minimize emergency risks, and provide more timely and effective care. Additionally, the hospital will collaborate closely with NYCU to develop new diagnostics and treatments, maximizing the impact of this donation to benefit even more patients.
NYCU alumnus Mr. Archie Hwang (right) generously donates accelerator-based BNCT equipment to support the NYCU-TVGH team.
