NCKU Joins Partners at 2026 BIO Asia–Taiwan Exhibition , Announces Latest Progress on Drug Candidate DBPR168
At the 2026 BIO Asia–Taiwan Exhibition, National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) joined forces with corporate members, NCKU's R&D teams, and partner universities under the Great South Research Commercialization Platform for a joint exhibition, showcasing innovative R&D achievements in smart medicine, biosensing, and precision testing.
During the exhibition, NCKU, National Health Research Institutes (NHRI), and AnHorn Medicines Co., Ltd. jointly announced the latest progress on DBPR168, a Taiwan-developed neuroprotective drug candidate designed to address chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. DBPR168 received FDA clearance for its Investigational New Drug (IND) application in March 2026, and a Phase I human clinical trial is currently underway in the United States.
DBPR168 was developed over more than a decade by a research team jointly led by NCKU President Meng-Ru Shen, former NCKU Vice President Jang-Yang Chang, and Kak-Shan Shia, an investigator at NHRI's Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research. Beginning with the clinical needs of cancer patients, the project advanced through basic research, drug development, and technology transfer, and has reached the stage of human clinical trials — marking a significant milestone in Taiwan's homegrown new drug development.
Southern Training Center for Net-Zero Green-Collar Talent Unveiled; NCKU Launches Near-Zero Carbon Building Courses Through Cross-Ministerial Collaboration
In response to the nation’s 2050 net-zero emissions policy and the growing demand for talent in the green transition, National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) is implementing the Ministry of Environment (MOENV) Net-Zero Green-Collar Talent Development Program, bringing together 15 universities and colleges in southern Taiwan to establish the Southern Training Center.
The center was officially unveiled in August, when NCKU and the MOENV also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU). Through the center, NCKU continues to offer foundational training courses, specialized credit courses on campus, and tailored programs for corporate and public-sector personnel, building a green-collar talent development network across southern Taiwan.
Building on its existing net-zero green-collar talent development efforts, NCKU has expanded its training from foundational knowledge to specialized professional fields. In collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior and MOENV, NCKU launched Taiwan’s first series of advanced training courses on near-zero carbon buildings. The program attracted nearly 400 participants, reflecting strong demand for professional talent and practical expertise in this field. Led by NCKU Department of Architecture Distinguished Professor Tzu-Ping Lin, the courses cover sustainable architecture, embodied carbon emissions, building energy efficiency, and energy efficiency of building systems, strengthening the development of specialized talent for the net-zero transition in the building sector.