Taiwan’s early-stage investment market has long faced challenges due to limited information transparency. To address this issue, the FINDIT Research Team at the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research has collected and consolidated investment data from multiple sources in recent years. In addition to publishing annual overviews of startup funding activity and tracking new early-stage capital inflows, the team provides monthly updates on recently disclosed funding transactions compiled from public sources. Through these sustained efforts, FINDIT seeks to enhance market transparency and bridge information gaps between startups and investors.

The latest FINDIT Research Team report recorded five notable startup funding deals in Taiwan between May and June 2026. Vernus AI, a developer of cutting-edge technologies aimed at transforming biopharmaceutical manufacturing, raised the largest amount during the period, securing more than NT$250 million in a seed round. Key highlights from this period are summarized below.

• Vernus AI, a developer of cutting-edge technologies for transforming biopharmaceutical manufacturing, completed a seed round of more than NT$250 million.

• Ascendo Biotechnology, an innovator in immunotherapy, completed a Series A round.

• Penpeer, a developer of healthcare talent-matching and professional networking platforms, raised NT$50 million in a Series A round.

• Free Bionics, a developer of biomimetic exoskeleton technologies and products, completed a US$11 million capital increase.

• MoleculeX, a specialist in bioadhesive technologies with products including intraoral wound patches and mucosal liquid dressings, raised NT$20 million in an angel round.

For more detailed information on the startups featured in this period, please refer to the full profiles below.

Vernus AI Completes Seed Round Exceeding NT$250 Million

Funding News

Vernus AI announced on May 4 the completion of a seed round exceeding NT$250 million. The round attracted participation from leading companies in Taiwan’s technology and biotechnology sectors, including Compal Electronics, Orient Europharma, and PharmaSTAR BioT Venture Capital, as well as several biotechnology and pharmaceutical experts and individual investors. The round reflects strong market confidence in the potential of AI-driven drug manufacturing.

Vernus AI is dedicated to driving the transformation of the biopharmaceutical industry through cutting-edge technologies. Its core technology is the proprietary “ReAIX” platform, which integrates AI Agents, quantum computing, and physics simulation.

Based on companies’ existing data, Vernus AI builds a high-fidelity digital twin platform to optimize drug manufacturing processes and improve efficiency, precision, and stability. In terms of technical architecture, Vernus AI adopts an AI Agent framework that integrates multimodal large language models (MLLMs) with physics simulation systems. The AI Agent serves as the core component of the ReAIX platform. It is fine-tuned using expert-curated scientific data, enabling analytical and decision-making capabilities comparable to those of experienced process scientists. The AI Agent can efficiently connect various tools and stages throughout the drug manufacturing process.

Meanwhile, the physics simulation system optimizes key physical factors, such as fluid dynamics, to improve accuracy and stability during process scale-up. In addition, the platform uses chemical and biokinetic simulations to generate high-quality simulated synthetic data, forming a continuous data feedback loop to improve AI model training. Through the integration of AI, quantum computing, and physics simulation, Vernus AI developed an automated digital twin platform for AI Agent-driven drug manufacturing, enabling new approaches to drug manufacturing worldwide.

This round represents the first major investment deal in Taiwan’s AI-enabled drug development sector with participation from both technology and biomedical companies. It also marks an important milestone in cross-sector collaboration between Taiwan’s ICT and biomedical industries. The proceeds will enable Vernus AI to accelerate technology commercialization, expand into international markets, and further advance AI applications in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Beyond this fundraising success, Vernus AI was recently selected as one of the top 30 teams in the National Development Council’s “Startup Blossom – Startup Alliance Competition,” further demonstrating recognition of its technological capabilities and growth potential.

#AIDrugManufacturing #DigitalTwin #SmartDrugManufacturing

For related coverage, please visit: https://money.udn.com/money/story/5724/9479278

Ascendo Biotechnology Completes Series A Round

Funding News

Ascendo Biotechnology announced on May 15 the completion of a Series A round, which attracted strong institutional investor interest and was oversubscribed. Investors included TaiAx (a fund under Taiwania Capital), Yuanta Venture Capital, Maxpro Ventures, Chenghan Investment, Qisda, TECO Capital Investment, ITIC, Beiley Biofund, Chang Hwa Bank Venture Capital, and First Venture Capital.

Ascendo Biotechnology is a clinical-stage biotech startup focused on developing innovative therapies targeting innate immune checkpoints. By modulating immune responses at an upstream level within the innate immune system, the company aims to address the limited response rates of current immunotherapies. In 2025, the company received the 22nd National Innovation Award and the Investment Award at the NBRP Pitch Competition, highlighting its innovation capabilities and market potential.

The proceeds will support the Phase I clinical trial of the company's lead product, ASD141, through key clinical readouts while preparing for subsequent Phase II trials. At the same time, Ascendo Biotechnology will conduct IND-enabling studies for ASD001 to establish its next-stage clinical pipeline, further strengthening its product portfolio and long-term growth prospects.

ASD141 is progressing well in clinical trials, with pharmacological signals of immune cell activation observed in both the low- and medium-dose cohorts. Several trial participants have also achieved stable disease responses. As dose escalation progresses, the company expects to further evaluate its clinical efficacy and potentially establish ASD141 as a novel therapy addressing the limitations of existing immune checkpoint treatments.

Ascendo Biotechnology expects to complete the Phase I clinical trial of ASD141 by the end of this year and advance into Phase II in 2027. As key clinical data continue to accumulate, the company will also pursue global strategic partnerships and licensing opportunities to expand into international markets and maximize the commercial value of its pipeline. This round further supports the company’s efforts to achieve key clinical milestones. Building on positive preliminary clinical data from ASD141, Ascendo Biotechnology will continue dose escalation and clinical validation while actively pursuing global partnerships and licensing discussions to accelerate product development and create long-term value.

#Biopharmaceuticals #InnateImmuneCheckpoint #MonoclonalAntibody #ClinicalTrials

For related coverage, please visit: https://nbrp.sinica.edu.tw/posts/05eab98f-8a67-4a77-89af-1259be2132b3 

Penpeer Completes NT$50 Million Series A Round

Funding News

Penpeer Co., Ltd. announced on May 19 the completion of a NT$50 million Series A round. The round was led by Daiwa Securities, with participation from investors in the healthcare, technology, and biotechnology sectors.

Penpeer focuses on healthcare talent matching and digital communities for healthcare professionals. The company has developed several apps, including A-Pen, N Station, and Pharmacist Circle, building a user base of more than 88,000 healthcare professionals. It also launched MedGo, an AI-driven healthcare talent recruitment service that helps healthcare institutions improve recruitment processes and connect with suitable candidates more efficiently. As healthcare providers face growing workforce shortages and succession challenges, Penpeer leverages data and user interactions across its digital communities to strengthen connections between healthcare professionals and medical institutions. Through data integration and digital tools, the company also helps optimize workforce management.

The proceeds will support three key initiatives: expanding the user base, strengthening AI-powered matching and decision-making capabilities, and enhancing MedGo’s services. The company also plans to further develop integrated solutions that bring together healthcare talent and industry resources. Looking ahead, Penpeer will continue to advance healthcare workforce analytics, optimize its platform, and evaluate strategic partnerships with clinic management systems and clinical resource providers to further strengthen Taiwan’s digital healthcare ecosystem.

#AI #HealthcareTalentRecruitment #DigitalHealthcareCommunities

For related coverage, please visit: https://money.udn.com/money/story/11800/9511103

Free Bionics Completes US$11 Million Capital Increase

Funding News

Free Bionics Taiwan Inc. announced on June 8 the completion of a US$11 million capital increase. The round was led by the Central and Eastern Europe Investment Fund, managed by Taiwania Capital, with participation from Outstanding Management Consultants, Raku, Sustainable Impact Capital (SIC), Nan Feng Sustainable Investment, Tiaya International, and Lin Peter Lin, Chairman of Zero One Technology.

Free Bionics is a leading Taiwanese startup specializing in wearable exoskeleton and smart rehabilitation technology, dedicated to helping individuals with mobility impairments regain independence through biomimetic robotics. Its walking training robot, FREE Walk, and joint rehabilitation robot, NimBO, have received medical device approvals in Taiwan, the United States, the European Union, and other markets. Its products are marketed in more than 20 countries and are widely used in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, and home care.

Free Bionics was founded by Wu Cheng-Hua, whose personal experience inspired him to pursue the development of exoskeleton robotics. The company leverages technology to help people with paralysis regain mobility and independence, improving their quality of life and that of their families.

The proceeds will enable the company to strengthen its European operations, broaden clinical validation efforts, and accelerate global market expansion. The oversubscribed capital increase reflects strong market confidence in Free Bionics’ business strategy and operational capabilities, particularly its progress and revenue growth in European markets. Free Bionics has entered the Czech market and rapidly expanded into Poland, demonstrating the team’s strong execution and growth potential in Central and Eastern Europe.

Physical AI and robotics are key investment areas for Taiwania Capital. Through years of experience in applying medical technologies in clinical settings, Free Bionics has introduced advanced robotics solutions into real-world healthcare environments, building a differentiated market position. The company is also actively expanding in Central and Eastern Europe. These efforts align closely with Taiwania Capital’s strategic priorities in industry collaboration and regional development.

GJ Lee, Director General of the Small and Medium Enterprise and Startup Administration, stated that Free Bionics is responding to a critical need driven by global aging. The company leverages Taiwan’s AI computing and precision machinery capabilities to develop assistive technologies that directly respond to patient needs. Free Bionics demonstrates Taiwan’s hardware and software strengths in precision healthcare and serves as one of the notable examples of Taiwanese startups expanding into global markets.

#ExoskeletonRobotics #AssistiveTechnology #MedicalDevices

 For related coverage, please visit: https://money.udn.com/money/story/11799/9554089

MoleculeX Completes NT$20 Million Angel Round

Funding News

MoleculeX Co., Ltd. announced on June 22 the completion of a NT$20 million angel round. Its oral mucosal wound dressing product, MuCover® Oral Wound Dressing, received U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance.

MoleculeX focuses on oral mucosal wound care, developing intraoral wound dressings featuring wet tissue-penetrating adhesion technology to address oral mucositis, a common complication experienced by cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, head and neck cancer radiotherapy, or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Using a microstructured hydrophilic polymer, the product penetrates the moisture layer on the oral mucosa and securely adheres to the mucosal surface, forming a protective barrier.

MuCover® Oral Wound Dressing has been shown to provide approximately 11 hours of protection and maintain adhesion for approximately 2.75 times longer than comparable products. It is among the longest-lasting intraoral wound care products currently cleared through the FDA 510(k) pathway.

The proceeds will support regulatory efforts and international market expansion. MuCover® Oral Wound Dressing has completed procurement processes at multiple medical centers and accumulated real-world use data, providing important clinical evidence for its FDA submission.

Founded in 2021, MoleculeX obtained medical device approval from the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) in 2023. The company follows a development strategy of validating its products in the Taiwanese market before pursuing international regulatory clearances, effectively reducing regulatory risks under resource constraints. Looking ahead, MoleculeX plans to conduct multinational, multicenter clinical trials and expand the application of its products from cancer supportive care to postoperative dental care and general oral mucosal wound care. The company will also pursue international partnerships and commercialization opportunities.

#OralMucositis #WoundDressings #MedicalDevices

For related coverage, please visit: https://user336233.pse.is/98rjm7