TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's health authorities launched an investigation Wednesday (April 23) into potential manufacturing violations at Adimmune Corporation, the island's prominent vaccine manufacturer. Health Minister Chiu Tai-yuan announced that Food and Drug Administration (FDA, Taiwan's regulatory body for pharmaceuticals) inspectors were examining possible breaches that could trigger penalties ranging from NT$30,000 to NT$2 million (US$923 to US$61,538) under Taiwan's Pharmaceutical Affairs Act.
The minister's statements follow a troubling laboratory contamination incident at Adimmune, Taiwan's first publicly listed vaccine developer and producer. The company came under intense scrutiny after reports emerged that an employee had allegedly abandoned 120 laboratory mice unattended for three days, raising significant concerns about potential contamination of vaccine production facilities. Public anger intensified when it was revealed that supervisors had neither reported the incident nor implemented prompt corrective measures.
In his public address, Minister Chiu sought to reassure concerned citizens, noting that FDA inspections were already underway and highlighting the rigorous quality control process wherein vaccines must pass 11 separate tests before final sealing. "The Ministry of Health and Welfare (Taiwan's national health authority) is responsible for providing the safest and highest quality vaccines," Chiu stated. "We will handle any violations according to regulations and report the findings promptly."
The laboratory breach dates back to July 2024, when a shipment of laboratory mice arrived during a typhoon-related holiday closure. According to reports, an employee neglected to transfer the animals to their proper containment facilities. Adimmune has defended its handling of the situation, insisting that emergency protocols implemented afterward protected research integrity and vaccine safety. The company further argued that the laboratory in question, used for preliminary research, falls outside Good Manufacturing Practices regulations. This incident adds to Adimmune's recent quality control challenges—the company, which provides more than half of Taiwan's annual public flu vaccine supply, recalled 94,000 doses in October 2024 after discovering discoloration problems traced to defective rubber stoppers. ★
