TLC and Nippon Zoki sign NT$6.5B contract for osteoarthritis drug

TLC and Nippon Zoki sign NT$6.5B contract for osteoarthritis drug

2026-11-02

Taiwan and Japan ties just got stronger! Taiwanese biotech company, TLC produced a brand new injection called TLC599, to treat osteoarthritis pain. On Thursday, a partnership ceremony was held with Japanese pharma company, Nippon Zoki. The exclusive licensing agreement between the two companies is worth approximately NT$6.5 billion. The ceremony was attended by Minister of Health and several representatives from the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association.

Taiwan and Japan’s medical partnership grows stronger. TLC and Nippon Zoki announced a new agreement on the drug TLC599, bringing a new treatment option to treat osteoarthritis pain in Japanese patients.

Several Japan-Taiwan representatives attended the event as well as Taiwan’s Minister of Health Shih Chung-liang. They witnessed the signing of the exclusive licensing agreement which is worth around NT$6.5 billion. This collaboration with a 90-year-old Japanese company will promote the treatment in Japan.

George Yeh
CEO of TLC
Nippon Zoki actually focuses on pain and joints. There’s also a very good sales channel for the product, which will let TLC599 enter the Japanese market faster.

Takafumi Konishi
President & CEO of Nippon Zoki
In Japan’s aging society there are many patients who deeply suffer from osteoarthritis of the knee. We hope that from today onwards, we can use all our efforts to contribute to this field. We want to thank everyone who made this contract signing possible.

The health condition of osteoarthritis doesn’t just affect the elderly; it also affects many middle-aged and young adults. Statistics show that there are over 25 million patients in Japan who are over 40-years-old, from which 8 million experience painful symptoms, which could limit daily walking to basic activities ultimately affecting their quality of life.

George Yeh
CEO of TLC
Japan’s medical market, is around the 10th biggest in the world, so this is a very good benchmark to see if this product could have a breakthrough in European or American markets as well.

The TLC599, beyond relieving pain for patients suffering from osteoarthritis, also promotes transnational cooperation, strengthening ties between Taiwan and Japan.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#medical #tlc599 #osteoarthritis #TLC #japan #nipponzaki #taiwanmedicine

65億台幣授權！TLC攜手日本臟器製藥獨家授權關節炎藥物TLC599

2026-11-02

台日合作新里程碑!台灣生技公司TLC研發出新藥TLC599，治療膝關節炎疼痛症狀，上週四宣布與日本臟器合作，簽下約新台幣65億元的高價合約，推動在日本的獨家開發，合作典禮上包含衛福部長石崇良、日本台灣交流協會多位代表，都親臨現場見證。

台日醫療合作，再邁入新里程碑，TLC與日本臟器舉行新藥TLC599合作典禮暨高層對談，替飽受退化性關節炎疼痛所苦的日本病患，帶來新的治療選擇。

典禮上包含衛福部長石崇良、日本台灣交流協會多位代表，都親臨現場見證，台灣生技公司成功締造，約新台幣65億元的高價合約，與日本近90年的老牌製藥廠，強強聯手，推動新藥在日本的獨家開發。

[[TLC執行長葉志鴻]]
“日本臟器它其實在於疼痛和關節，也有非常好的一個產品的一個銷售的，一個整個通路，可以讓TLC599可以更快速的加快的腳步，去進入這個日本的這個市場”

[[日本臟器製藥社長小西崇文]]
“在日本這個邁入高齡化社會的國家，有許多患者深受退化性膝關節炎所苦，我們希望今後能盡最大努力，為這個領域做出貢獻，感謝所有為此次，合約簽訂付出心力的人”

膝關節退化的健康問題，不只困擾長輩，也影響不少中壯年族群，據統計，光40歲以上的日本患者就高達2500多萬人，其中約800萬人更出現疼痛症狀，從日常行走到基本活動都可能受限制，連帶影響生活品質。

[[TLC執行長葉志鴻]]
“日本的整個的醫療的市場，大概在全球大概佔十趴左右，所以這個也是一個，很好的一個基準去看，就是說未來啊，這一個產品在歐美國家，甚至於其他的地方它有的突破的點”

TLC研發出的TLC599，除了有望為退化性關節炎患者緩解疼痛，透過跨國合作，將持續深化台日交流。

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The area near Zuoying HSR Station is always crowded with pedestrian and vehicle traffic, especially during rush hour on weekdays. But now, as pedestrians step onto Chongxin Road, they see an expanse of bright green pavement, clearly labeled to say it’s a sidewalk. When walking here, they won’t encounter oncoming traffic.

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Member of public
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Member of public
Pedestrian
It’s certainly safer. With this, cars and scooters won’t park wherever they want.

By painting the pavement to delineate vehicle and pedestrian zones, installing posts at corners to keep cars out, reminding drivers to be vigilant, and using parking spaces as a buffer, it gives pedestrians an added layer of security.

So far, Kaohsiung has painted 159 sections stretching for 18.1 kilometers. 35 of these sites are by schools.

Huang Jung-hui
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Simply by painting the pavement green for pedestrians can provide everyone with a safer path to wherever they’re going.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

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DPP lawmakers propose bill to deter illegal high tech exports

A smuggling scandal rocked Taiwan earlier this year, after it came to light that Supermicro servers equipped with advanced Nvidia chips were sold illegally to China. The incident came as Taiwan looked to strengthen cooperation with the US on export controls. DPP lawmakers are now proposing amendments to the Trade Act. The goal is to deter further incidents with tougher penalties and an explicit export ban on designated semiconductors, critical materials and components to China. A public hearing on the proposal was held on Monday, with the attendance of several experts. Let’s hear more.

Chung Chia-pin
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Controls on strategic high-tech goods need to be adjusted to respond to the evolving situation.

Wang Kuo-chen
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Lin Chin-fu
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If fines cannot be adjusted based on the value of the goods involved, the deterrent effect may be limited. The current legislation also fails to incorporate the concept of technology itself, with regulations still largely focused on controlling physical goods.

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For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

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Voice of orthopedic doctor
Was punched by man
He suddenly snapped, hurled insults at me and started throwing punches. He hit me at least five or six times. I was backed into a corner, but he still wouldn’t let up and kept punching me in the face. Even with so many people trying to restrain him, he just wouldn’t stop attacking me. And to make matters worse, my own parents happened to be at the clinic that day for my outpatient consultation. They saw what was happening from outside and were in tears.

Chien Chun-cheng
Police officer
Police arrested the suspect, surnamed Pan, at the scene. The case has been referred to the Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office for investigation on suspicion of violating the Medical Care Act and assault.”

Member of public
Disturbed by incident
We, as a society, should have zero tolerance for things like this.

Member of public
Outraged
It’s outrageous. He could have just talked it out. There was no need for violence.

Security cameras captured the moment that staff escorted the man out of the consultation room. But even after police arrived, he continued trying to resist. Inside the consultation room, the beating left the doctor bloodied, with face masks and tissues stained red. He suffered abrasions and contusions to his forehead, nose, and upper and lower lips, bruising beneath his right eye, as well as a concussion. Commenters say the man’s behavior was absolutely unacceptable; after all, the doctor was just doing his job. Now, he’ll be facing legal consequences for his violent outburst.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

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Former President Tsai tells Shen to rest and takes over his speech

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Surrounded by supporters, Puma Shen, slowly makes his way to Daan Forest Park, the entrance is just 300m but it still takes him 21 minutes to cross it. The view from above is even more stunning, the park is filled, but the hundreds packed inside aren’t just there to see him.

The moment former president, Tsai Ing-wen stepped on stage, the crowd went wild and the air filled with deafening cheers.

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Tsai Ing-wen
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Puma Shen also has many reassuring qualities; he always confronts attacks head-on and uses warmth to counter darkness. Voting isn’t out of hatred for someone, it’s also not about teaching someone a lesson, it’s about the future we want, and choosing whatever is closest to the way of life you want.

During the 2020 presidential elections, Tsai led all of Taipei City except for Wenshan District. With Shen’s popularity, Taipei’s blue skies could turn into a green land.

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- Yes
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Chuang Jui-hsiung
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Puma Shen
Taipei Mayoral Candidate (DPP)
She kept saying that only she would speak, she told me to not speak, because she thinks that I really need to rest.

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Member of public
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Member of Public
Appalled at the tent
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Member of public
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