Tsai-Kun Li

Profession/ Vice President
National Taiwan University College of Medicine/ Development Center for Biotechnology

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Prof. Li was born in the New Taipei City, educated in Taiwan and received a bachelor degree in
Microbiology. With a US fellowship in 1994, Dr. Li quickly earned his Ph.D. degree in Molecular and
Biochemical Pharmacology and then established his lab of “DNA topoisomerases and chromatin
biology” since 2003. His research topics focusing on: (1) Regulatory role(s) of topoisomerases in gene
expression, repair as well as mutagenesis and tumor pathology; (2) Translational science and
development of topoisomerase-targeting drugs; & (3) Tumor micro-environments, such as hypoxic
inflammation, microbiota and extracellular vehicles in epigenetics. Moreover, Prof. Li not only
promotes novel biomedical technologies and platform to build “University Bio-industrial and
Entrepreneur Ecosystem”, but also leads in global academic affairs such as the establishment of tri-
national GIP master program and the NTU International College. Toward this aim, Pro. Li applied and
awarded many scientific and educational projects and leading the NTU SPARK project as well as
established many on-job-training opportunities and workshops. Due to the above expertise and
experience, Dr. Li has been recruited to Development Center for Biotechnology (DCB), and in charge
of the entire R&D Division as the Vice President. With the TFDA approvals of (i) the Regulations of
Special Medical Techniques; (ii) the Regenerative Medicine Act (06/04/2024); and the adaptation of
Next Generation Sequencing Analysis in the coverage of Taiwan “National Health
Insurance”(o5/01/2024), these regulatory issuances accelerate development of both “AI Medicine”
and “Automation of Pharmaceutic Manufacturing”. Furthermore, the AI-enabling “Green Chemistry/
Bio-catalysis” and “Biomanufacturing” are also his recent aims for the drug industry.

Speech title & Synopsis

Opening Remarks

AI health has been emerged as one of the key technologies and tools for speeding up the drug
development as well as for patient benefit in the aspect of precision medicine. For example,
AI health has been selected as one of the six focused thematic topics in “2024 US Bio”.
Furthermore, in 2024, Taiwan FDA (TFDA) and National Health Insurance Administration have
approved and/or granted (i) the “Regenerative Medicine Act (06/04/2024)” and (ii) the adaptation
of NGS analysis in the coverage of Taiwan “National Health Insurance” (05/01/2024). These

regulatory issuances shall accelerate the development of both “AI Medicine” and “Automation of
Pharmaceutic Manufacturing”. Moreover, the AI-enabling “Green Chemistry/ Bio-catalysis” and
“Biomanufacturing” are also his recent aims for the drug industry, especially for big Pharma. In this
section, one focuses on “AI for Phama”, and with excellent speakers and communications, we
shall then cooperate and collaborate to improve the patient benefits and global healthcare
ecosystem.