TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — PharmaEssentia will invest NT$1.45 billion (US$46 million) to establish a subsidiary and manufacturing facility in Puerto Rico as part of the plan to strengthen its US production and supply chain presence.
The company has developed protein-based medicines that work for a longer time to treat blood cancers and rare diseases. Its blood cancer drug Ropeg has been approved in nearly 50 countries, per CNA.
The company said sales of Ropeg continue to grow, particularly in the US. The drug can also treat essential thrombocythemia, a chronic blood disorder. Following completion of Phase III trials, it plans to seek approval to sell the drug for this condition later this year.
The firm added that Puerto Rico is a major hub for the global pharmaceutical sector, offering tax incentives and a strong biotech supply chain, with more than 100 FDA-approved biotech and drug companies operating there. Its closeness to the US also helps reduce shipping costs.
PharmaEssentia hopes its factories in Taiwan and Puerto Rico will boost production. The Puerto Rico facility is expected to receive GMP certification and begin making Ropeg in 2027.
The firm operates a GMP-certified pharmaceutical plant in Taichung, part of which produces Ropeg. Its new factory in Hsinchu was completed last year and will begin production this year.
The Hsinchu plant will partner with National Taiwan University Hospital’s Hsinchu branch to advance cell therapy for cancer, rare diseases, and other major conditions, the company said. The hospital’s clinical trial platform will provide PharmaEssentia with data for drug R&D.
The company reported revenue of NT$15.63 billion last year, up 60.6% from 2024, marking 11 straight quarters of growth. It attributed the increase mainly to Ropeg’s strong sales in the US and Japan.
