–Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital –

During the 2025 Healthcare+ Expo, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital (hereafter referred to as KMUH) strengthened its global engagement in rare disease care. Led by Vice Superintendent Tsung-Hsien Lin, Professor Yu-Chih Chung and the Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) team signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Newborn Screening Center of the Clinical Laboratory of Chinese Foundation of Health, and the Malaysian Association for Cell and Gene Therapy (MACGT).

The tripartite agreement signals a joint commitment to advancing SMA clinical care and newborn screening initiatives—rooted in Taiwan and reaching globally—demonstrating the strength of “Team Taiwan” in precision medicine. The collaboration was facilitated with strong support from the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries Promotion Office (BPIPO) under Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs, laying the groundwork for cross-border precision healthcare partnerships.

SMA is a rare but severe genetic neuromuscular disorder. Without timely diagnosis and treatment, approximately 80% of infants with the most severe form may not survive past the age of two. KMUH has long been at the forefront of SMA prevention and treatment and is the only institution in Taiwan selected to participate in a global, multi-national clinical trial. Its findings, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in August 2025, demonstrated that early precision therapy significantly improves motor function and reduces mortality in SMA patients.

Since 2017, the Newborn Screening Center has collaborated with KMUH to screen more than 230,000 newborns for SMA. All confirmed cases received early intervention, establishing Taiwan as a global model for SMA prevention and care. Taiwan’s Health Promotion Administration has also announced that SMA will be included in the national publicly funded newborn screening program starting in the second half of next year, benefiting an estimated 130,000 newborns annually and further strengthening public health protection.

Through this new partnership with MACGT, the three parties will integrate Taiwan’s expertise in precision medicine to promote clinical diagnostics, technical exchange, and industry collaboration—opening new opportunities in the Asia-Pacific market. The initiative aims to expand SMA newborn genetic screening and innovative precision therapies in Malaysia, ultimately benefiting more patients in need across the region.

At the signing ceremony, Vice Superintendent Tsung-Hsien Lin emphasized that as a university-affiliated hospital and medical center, KMUH remains committed to a patient-centered philosophy. The hospital has long invested in advancing care for acute, critical, complex, and rare diseases while enhancing overall healthcare capacity and delivering comprehensive, holistic care.

This collaboration represents not only a breakthrough in medical research but also a significant step in the internationalization of Taiwan’s healthcare sector. It reflects the spirit of “Team Taiwan,” positioning Taiwan as a key hub for rare disease treatment in the Asia-Pacific region and fostering a healthier future through global cooperation.

KMUH’s SMA team, the Newborn Screening Center and MACGT formally sign a Memorandum of Understanding, launching a new chapter of international precision medicine collaboration. Professor Yu-Chih Chung, attending physician in Pediatric Neurology at Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, expressed hope that Taiwan’s years of experience in SMA clinical care and screening will help advance more precise and accessible rare disease care worldwide.

Witnessed by Director Chien-Yueh Huang of BPIPO (left), Vice Superintendent Tsung-Hsien Lin of KMUH (center), Acting Director Hsiao-Jan Chen of the Newborn Screening Center (right), and President Te-En Lin of MACGT (left), the three parties officially signed the MOU.

KMUH’s SMA team and domestic and international partners pose for a group photo, symbolizing the formal collaboration among Taiwan, Malaysia, and industry partners to elevate precision medicine and rare disease prevention in the Asia-Pacific region. Through sustained clinical research and newborn screening achievements, KMUH has helped Taiwan gain global recognition in rare disease care.

Led by Professor Yu-Chih Chung (right 5), attending physician in Pediatric Neurology at Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, the KMUH SMA treatment team is the only institution in Taiwan selected to participate in a multinational research collaboration involving medical centers from 10 countries worldwide.