EBS STAFF
Gov. Greg Giaforte met with President Tsai of Taiwan on Oct. 31, promising to continue “discussions and relationships.”
“During our visit here to Taipei, we will sign a memorandum of understanding with the Taiwan-USA Industrial Cooperation Promotion Office and the Taiwan Photonics Industry and Technology Development Association…” Gov. Gianforte stated in a press release issued from his office.
A day after meeting with President Tsai, Gov. Gianforte met with Premier Chen Chien-jen of the Executive Yuan to discuss growing industries. Premier Chen Chien-jen is the head of the government, having been appointed by the president of Taiwan.
“Montana ranks sixth among states for bioscience industry growth over the last five years, and fifth in the nation for growth in research and development expenditures,” Gov. Gianforte said in the release.“This means our bioscience industry is expanding, and we’re at the tip of the spear for cutting-edge research.”
In the meeting, Gov. Gianforte “promoted a partnership” between Inimmune, a Missoula-based biotechnology company and ImmunAdd, a Taipei-based biopharmaceutical company. In the partnership, both companies would collaborate to develop an adjuvant which is used in vaccines to create an immune response that aids in the vaccine’s effectiveness.
In 2020, the U.S. The Department of Health and Human Services awarded InImmune around $1.9 million to develop and produce an adjuvant. In 2022, InImmune secured $22 million in funding from Two Bear Capital. InImmune is partnered with University of Montana as well as other research institutions across the country.
Afterwards, Gov. Gianforte toured one of the largest Taiwan food importers’ facilities, one that specializes in beef, according to the release.
“Beef is Montana’s third largest export to Taiwan, totaling $16 million in sales last year,” the release stated.
