Featuring innovations as diverse as a simple eye drop treatment that cures short-sightedness, a wearable monitor to warn of heart problems before they become critical, and a new drug for hard-to-treat cancers, the latest innovations in biotech, medical treatments and medical devices will be on show at the Future Tech Expo 2018. The event runs from December 13 to 15, 2018 at the Taipei World Trade Center, Hall 3 in Taipei, Taiwan. Future Tech Expo 2018’s main organizer is Taiwan’s Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST).
The Future Tech Expo 2018 aims to bring the public face to face with cutting edge research, helping people understand how science can improve their lives. Future Tech 2018 will also salute the work of scientists and researchers, and show Taiwan’s abilities in ground-breaking practical science. Future Tech 2018 will show Taiwan’s revolutionary breakthroughs in smart, precision medical technologies.
According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) 2018, in the “Innovation ecosystem component” category, Taiwan ranks number one in Asia and fourth globally for the key competitive attribute of innovation capability (after Germany, the United States, and Switzerland).
New ideas: From fixing short-sightedness to curing cancer
At Taiwan’s China Medical University, researchers are working on a revolutionary drug that could offer a simple cure for short-sightedness, without discomfort or side effects – potentially allowing many people to throw away their glasses or contact lenses. The researchers believe they have identified one of the causes of the slight elongation of the eyeball that causes nearsightedness and they have developed a drug to precisely target it. In animal trials, simply administering the new drug in eye drop form was enough to restore normal vision. The team plans to begin human trials in 2019.
The National Health Research Institutes (NHRI) will be showing work on an exciting new cancer-combating drug. In tests, the drug significantly reduced the size of tumors. It appears to be particularly effective against common cancers that are difficult to treat. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have approved further investigation of the drug in the USA.
At Chang Gung University, medical researchers have devised a comfortable, wearable cardiac early warning system for real-time detection of cardiovascular diseases. The system could be used in hospitals, but also at home and in everyday life, alerting patients and careers of the need for attention via mobile networks. Such wearable technologies can assure timely treatment for dangerous heart conditions.
Learn more about Future Tech Expo 2018 now at: http://www.futuretech.org.tw
About Future Tech Expo 2018
The Future Tech exhibition showcases Taiwan’s innovations – in areas such as artificial intelligence, green energy, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and nanomaterials – which are vital to people’s livelihoods and to the development of society and an industrial economy. The annual event, which was first held in 2017, is organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST).
To demonstrate Taiwan’s ability to master key practical technologies for industry, selection criteria include industrial applicability as well as scientific innovation. Innovations are carefully selected from research institutes, science parks, and many other sources. By using this exhibition to share and publicize the practical creativity of Taiwan’s industry, academia and researchers, Taiwan is improving on its already strong position as a global source of innovative science and technology.
About the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST)
Scientific and technological innovations are major driving forces of economic growth and national progress. The Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) spearheads Taiwan’s exploration and development of the latest technologies. It is a successor to the National Science Council (NSC), established in 1967. MOST promotes science and technology development, supports and encourages forward-looking academic research, and oversees Taiwan’s science parks – critical generators of innovation and science-industry cooperation that have made Taiwan a key provider of practical technologies used worldwide by billions of people. The ministry strives to harmonize science and technology with the humanities, to promote Taiwan’s originality and international competitiveness. MOST provides top-level strategic guidance for national policy by drafting the National Science and Technology Development Plan.