[Reporter Lin Qiaoyan / Taipei] GWOXI Stem Cell (6704) was today awarded the “2023 Hsinchu Science Park Innovative Product Award” along with a prize of NT$440,000 by the Hsinchu Science Park Administration of the National Science and Technology Council. The award was presented by Director Wang Yongzhang, recognizing GWOXI’s innovative R&D capabilities in stem cell therapeutics, product commercialization expertise, and contributions to advancing disease treatment applications. The GWOXI R&D team was also invited to participate in the 43rd anniversary celebration of Hsinchu Science Park, sharing their industry experiences.
Science parks serve as national hubs for emerging high-tech industries. To encourage companies within the park to engage in innovative research and develop new products, thereby enhancing technological standards and strengthening industrial competitiveness, the Hsinchu Science Park Administration of the National Science and Technology Council organizes the Outstanding Company Innovative Product Award. After a two-stage, four-month evaluation by an expert committee, GWOXI’s osteoarthritis stem cell drug, GXCPC1, was unanimously favored by the reviewers and received the award.
According to Precision Reports, the global osteoarthritis market is projected to grow from USD 22 million in 2021 to USD 107.3 million by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.1%. In Taiwan, the annual medical expenditure for osteoarthritis is approximately NT$5.88 billion. Osteoarthritis, often caused by degeneration or external injury, leads to joint inflammation, pain, and impaired mobility. In the early stages, treatment mainly focuses on symptom relief through physical therapy, pain medications, and hyaluronic acid injections. However, in advanced cases, patients may require joint replacement surgery to improve quality of life. This highlights a significant unmet medical need and a strong demand for innovative cell therapy products.
GWOXI has developed multiple patented technology platforms at the Zhubei Biomedical Park, leveraging advanced stem cell manufacturing techniques to create various innovative products. For osteoarthritis, GWOXI developed the stem cell drug GXCPC1 (SoftCell). SoftCell combines specially processed stem cells with exosomal growth factors and is administered via intra-articular injection, providing rapid and long-lasting relief of joint inflammation. Compared with similar products, it demonstrates notable innovation.
The Phase II clinical trial report of SoftCell shows that after 12 months of treatment observation, no unexpected serious adverse events (SAEs) occurred. Patients experienced noticeable pain relief and improved quality of life within one week of treatment, and some patients even showed evidence of knee cartilage regeneration, indicating that SoftCell has potential therapeutic applications for osteoarthritis.
GWOXI is dedicated to the development of stem cell therapeutics and possesses comprehensive R&D and manufacturing capabilities in cell therapy. Through independent technological development and innovative industry-academia-medical collaborations, the company has secured patents for multiple cell therapy drug candidates. Moving forward, GWOXI will continue to expand its R&D capabilities through strategic partnerships, supported by its PIC/S GMP-standard stem cell manufacturing facility at Zhubei Biomedical Park, enabling the gradual realization of technological value, creation of revenue, and positioning as a leading company in stem cell therapeutics.