Achievements
The Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research (IBPR) is an integrated drug research institute dedicated to the application-oriented discovery and development of innovative therapeutics. With the vision of improving national health and quality of life, IBPR focuses on new drug discovery and preclinical development targeting major diseases, including cancer, metabolic disorders, infectious diseases, neurological diseases, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, as well as other critical illnesses, including rare diseases.
IBPR actively seeks partnerships with industry, academia, research institutions, and medical centers to accelerate drug development through technology transfer and to promote the industrialization of research outcomes.
The major achievements of IBPR are summarized below.
Scientific Innovation:
- 23 new drug candidates have been identified to date in the areas of cancer, infectious diseases, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, pain control and metabolic diseases
- 206 patents have been approved and maintained, with 140 patents transferred to industries, resulting in a patent utilization rate of 67.9%
- More than 696 peer-reviewed papers have been published in field-leading international journals
Overview of IBPR new drug development candidates:
Industrial Impacts:
Key Representative Cases
DBPR104 and DBPR204 (Anti-cancer drugs)
The anti-cancer drug candidates DBPR104 and DBPR204 were licensed to the Sinphar Pharmaceutical Group in 2008, leading to the establishment of SynCore Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (杏國新藥). DBPR104 (renamed SCB01A) successfully completed a Phase II clinical trial for head and neck cancer. This project represents the first domestically developed small-molecule anti-cancer drug in Taiwan funded by government research support and serves as a landmark case of successful industry–academia collaboration resulting in company formation and public listing.
DBPR108 (Anti-diabetic drug)
DBPR108, a DPP-4 inhibitor, was co-developed by IBPR and a domestic industrial alliance led by Genovate Biotechnology Co., Ltd., under the government-funded “Case of Success” biotechnology investment program. The drug was licensed to the alliance in 2012 and subsequently sublicensed to China Shijiazhuang Pharmaceutical Group (CSPC) in 2013. After completion of clinical trials in China, the New Drug Application was submitted in April 2023 and approved in January 2025. The drug is marketed under the name prusogliptin. This project represents IBPR’s first independently executed drug discovery and development program, successfully advancing a laboratory discovery to completion of first-in-human Phase I clinical trials.
DBPR115 (Anti-cancer drug delivery system)
DBPR115 is a novel anti-cancer drug delivery system developed through collaboration with Molecular Targeting Technologies, Inc. (USA), utilizing the Zn-DPA tumor-recognition platform. The drug was licensed to Taivex Therapeutics Corporation in 2016 and renamed T-1201. It is currently undergoing Phase I clinical trials at multiple medical centers in Taiwan.
DBPR216 (Anti-cancer drug)
DBPR216 is a multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor with potent activity against kinases such as FLT3, c-KIT, and PDGFR. It is effective against gastrointestinal stromal tumors and acute myeloid leukemia with c-KIT and FLT3 mutations. Licensed to Taivex Therapeutics Corporation in 2019 and renamed T-1301, the drug is currently in Phase I clinical trials.
DBPR112 (Anti-cancer drug)
DBPR112 is a novel EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor effective against EGFR-overexpressing and multiple EGFR-mutant cancer types. After completing a Phase I clinical study, it was licensed to Anbogen Therapeutics in 2020 and renamed ABT-101. A Phase Ib clinical trial is currently ongoing.
DBPR211 (Anti-diabetic drug)
DBPR211 is a peripheral cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) antagonist that improves obesity, type 2 diabetes, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by regulating CB1 activity in peripheral organs. IND approvals were obtained in the United States and Taiwan in 2016–2017. The drug was licensed to Applied Biopharma LLC (a subsidiary of Agentix Corp.) in 2021 and renamed AGTX-2004. A Phase I clinical trial is planned to commence in Australia in 2025.
DBPR114 (Anti-cancer drug)
DBPR114 is a multi-target kinase inhibitor that effectively suppresses tumor growth in various xenograft models, including leukemia, pancreatic cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, liver cancer, and bladder cancer. After obtaining IND approvals in the United States and Taiwan in 2017, the drug was licensed to Launxp Biomedical and renamed LXP1788. A Phase I clinical trial is planned for 2025.
DBPR186 (Anti-cancer drug delivery system)
DBPR186 is a next-generation anti-cancer drug known as a positive feedback encoded drug conjugate (PFEDC). This innovative platform replaces the role of antibodies with small-molecule amines and conjugates them with anti-tumor agents, enabling efficient delivery and accumulation of anti-cancer drugs in tumor tissues. This approach increases intra-tumoral drug concentration, enhances anti-tumor efficacy, and reduces systemic side effects. In 2021, DBPR186 was successfully licensed to Taivex Therapeutics Corporation and renamed T-1501, and it is currently undergoing preclinical development.
DBPR168 (Neuroprotective drug)
DBPR168 is a neuroprotective drug developed to prevent chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy by reducing paclitaxel-induced immune cell infiltration and systemic inflammation, with a favorable safety profile and high tolerated dosage. It was licensed to AnHorn Medicines Co., Ltd. in 2024 and renamed AH-008, and is currently in preclinical development.
DBPR376 (Anti-cancer drug conjugate)
DBPR376 is a ligand-targeted peptidomimetic drug conjugate capable of delivering DM1 selectively to tumor cells, enhancing anti-tumor efficacy while reducing drug dosage and side effects. It was licensed to Anbogen Therapeutics Inc. in early 2025 and renamed ABT-501, and is currently in the preclinical stage.
Social aspect:
To address national emergency medical needs, IBPR has rapidly mobilized drug development efforts to support public health and stabilize public confidence:
- During the COVID-19 outbreak (2020–2021), IBPR completed process development and research for the antiviral drug remdesivir.
- During the H5N1 influenza outbreak in 2005, IBPR completed process development for oseltamivir (Tamiflu).
- During the SARS outbreak in 2003, IBPR identified two existing drugs capable of inhibiting the SARS virus.
IBPR actively collaborates with domestic and international academic, research, industrial, and medical institutions to accelerate new drug development. In addition, IBPR is committed to cultivating interdisciplinary talents in drug discovery and development through the training of undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers, many of whom continue to contribute to academia, industry, and government sectors.