On the 9th, Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare announced the latest companies to receive LDT (Laboratory Developed Tests) certification. Kim Forest successfully passed the TFDA (Taiwan Food and Drug Administration) review, becoming the first in Taiwan to obtain TSO500 certification. This establishes Kim Forest as the country's top precision medicine testing company, capable of performing the most comprehensive gene testing.
Kim Forest has partnered with Illumina, a leader in next-generation sequencing (NGS), to introduce the cutting-edge TSO500 liquid biopsy technology for monitoring tumors. TSO500 is widely used by international pharmaceutical companies and hospitals, and with this certification, Kim Forest is now able to support clinical trials for both Taiwan and international pharmaceutical companies.
The newly certified tests at Kim Forest include myeloid blood tumors, comprehensive cancer tissue drug testing (TSO500 tissue), and comprehensive circulating tumor DNA testing using blood samples (TSO500 liquid biopsy). These high-complexity genetic tests provide hospitals with critical information for developing more effective treatment plans.
Focusing on precision medicine means that chemotherapy is no longer the only option. Through next-generation gene sequencing, doctors can understand a patient’s genetic profile and provide personalized precision medicine based on specific genetic mutations, achieving better treatment outcomes. To strengthen the national cancer prevention plan, the government has significantly increased cancer screening subsidies and budgets.
Screening items have expanded from the current four types—breast cancer, oral cancer, cervical cancer, and colorectal cancer—to include low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) for lung cancer and Helicobacter pylori testing for stomach cancer. The annual budget for early cancer screening is set to increase from NT$2.8 billion to NT$6.8 billion by 2025, demonstrating the government’s commitment to early detection and precision treatment strategies as part of national policy, which is crucial in reducing the cancer mortality rate in Taiwan.
Kim Forest's early investment in advanced equipment and its collaborative experience with multiple medical institutions have now culminated in the official LDT certification. As a result, Kim Forest has become Taiwan’s top precision medicine testing company, offering the most comprehensive genetic testing capabilities and enabling hospitals and patients to choose the best treatment strategies in a timely manner, ultimately improving survival rates for cancer patients.
Resource (mandarin): 全台可檢測最多基因！金萬林通過 TFDA 審查成為 LDTs 認證實驗室
