What are Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cells, and NAD+? A Look at Taiwan's Approval Status
Regenerative medicine, stem cell therapy, and NAD+ have been common topics in anti-aging discussions in recent years, but the three belong to different fields and differ greatly in levels of scientific evidence and regulatory status. Cell therapy in Taiwan operates under an approval system: according to statistics from Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare's "Regenerative Medicine Technology Information Section" (celltherapy.mohw.gov.tw), as of June 30, 2026, a cumulative total of 515 plans had been approved, and the implementing institutions were 83 hospitals and 15 clinics (including terminated ones); approved items consisted mainly of cancer immune cell therapy (337 cases) and degenerative arthritis and knee cartilage defects (76 cases). The indications list does not include "anti-aging" or "delaying aging." In 2024, the "Regenerative Medicine Act" and the "Regenerative Medicine Products Act" (the two regenerative medicine laws) took effect, making the regulatory framework more complete. Some human trials of NAD+ precursors (NMN/NR) have been published (e.g., Yoshino et al., 2021), while large-scale long-term data are still accumulating. This page neutrally summarizes the concepts, current regulatory status, and inquiry channels for each topic and does not assert any effects. For the suitability and risks of related treatments, please rely on evaluation by a qualified physician and the regulations of the competent authority.
How to distinguish regenerative medicine, stem cells, and NAD+
These three terms often appear together, but they belong to different categories and have different regulatory statuses:
- Regenerative medicine: a medical field that uses cells, growth factors, exosomes, or tissue engineering to assist tissue repair
- Stem cell therapy: a branch of regenerative medicine, regulated by the 'Regenerative Medicine Act' and related sub-laws
- NAD+: a coenzyme in cellular energy metabolism; its precursors NMN/NR are mostly in the form of 'supplements/IV drips,' different from cell therapy
Current approval status of cell therapy in Taiwan: How many institutions are there, and which indications are approved?
Cell therapy in Taiwan operates under an "approval system." According to statistics from Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare's "Regenerative Medicine Technology Information Section" (as of June 30, 2026; cumulative figures include terminated plans and institutions):
- A cumulative total of 515 plans have been approved; the implementing institutions are 83 hospitals and 15 clinics; cumulative enrollment (signed consent forms) is 2,544 person-times.
- By indication: stage IV solid cancer, 256 cases; degenerative arthritis and knee cartilage defects, 76 cases; stage I-III solid cancer refractory to standard treatment, 71 cases; chronic difficult wounds, 35 cases; spinal cord injury, 22 cases; subcutaneous and soft tissue defects, 17 cases; skin defects (filling and repair of wrinkles, depressions, and scars), 16 cases; knee cartilage defects, 12 cases; hematologic malignancies refractory to standard treatment, 10 cases.
- The approved indications list does not include "anti-aging" or "delaying aging"; the item most related to appearance is autologous fibroblast therapy for "skin defects: filling and repair of wrinkles, depressions, and scars."
- Distribution of institutions: Taipei City, 16 hospitals and 12 clinics; Kaohsiung City, 15 hospitals and 2 clinics; Taichung City, 12 hospitals; Hsinchu County has an additional 1 clinic; Yilan County, Taitung County, Penghu County, Kinmen County, and Lienchiang County currently have no approved institutions.
- In 2018, the "Special Management Regulations" opened specific autologous cell therapies; after the two regenerative medicine laws took effect in 2024, treatments other than approved ones may not be lawfully performed; approved institutions and plans can be searched in the "Where to Find Regenerative Medicine" section.
How to assess safety and efficacy
Different treatments vary greatly in evidence, indications, and risks; evaluation should be cautious:
- Safety research on NAD+ supplements is relatively abundant, but large-scale long-term anti-aging benefits are still under investigation
- Stem cell and other cell therapies involve complex preparation, and there have been international case reports of adverse events such as infections or tumors from unregulated therapies
- Relevant decisions should be based on evaluation by a qualified physician and confirmation that the institution is legally approved
FAQ
What is regenerative medicine? How is it related to stem cells?
Regenerative medicine is a medical field that uses cells, growth factors, exosomes, or tissue engineering to assist in the repair or functional recovery of damaged tissues; stem cell therapy is one of its branches. Both are regulated in Taiwan by the 'Regenerative Medicine Act' (promulgated in June 2024) and related sub-laws. They must be performed by medical institutions approved by the Ministry of Health and Welfare within the approved scope, and no efficacy claims may be made arbitrarily.
What approved cell therapy projects are there in Taiwan? Where to check?
The Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare's "Regenerative Medicine Technology Information Section" (celltherapy.mohw.gov.tw, formerly the Cell Therapy Technology Information Section) announces approved technology items and implementing institutions. As of June 30, 2026, a cumulative 515 plans had been approved (including terminated ones), and implementing institutions were 83 hospitals and 15 clinics; of these, 337 cases were cancer immune cell therapy, 76 cases were degenerative arthritis and knee cartilage defects, and the remainder were difficult wounds, spinal cord injury, tissue and skin defects, etc. In the section "Where to Find Regenerative Medicine," one can verify approved institutions, technology categories, and indications item by item; procedures outside approvals may not be performed in accordance with the law (Source: Ministry of Health and Welfare).
What is NAD+? Is there scientific evidence for NMN/NR?
NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is an important coenzyme in cellular energy metabolism. Its precursors NMN and NR can be converted in the body. Regarding human trials, in 2021 Yoshino et al. (Cell Metabolism) published a small-scale randomized controlled trial on NMN, showing improved skeletal muscle NAD+ metabolism; multiple trials on NR have confirmed oral safety. However, most studies are small-scale with short follow-up periods, and large-scale long-term benefits are still under investigation. Use should be evaluated by a physician for individual suitability, not based solely on promotional claims (Source: Cell Metabolism, 2021).
What is exosome therapy? How is it different from stem cells?
Exosomes are nano-sized vesicles secreted by cells, carrying signaling molecules such as proteins and nucleic acids, and may be involved in intercellular communication. Unlike stem cells themselves, exosomes do not contain cells. Clinical research on exosomes for anti-aging or regenerative medicine is mostly in early stages, with limited large-scale human trial data. In Taiwan, they are also regulated by regenerative medicine-related laws, and institutions must be verified to have obtained legal approval.
Are these treatments safe? Are the effects certain?
Different treatments vary greatly in their level of evidence, indications, and known risks. Safety research on NAD+ supplements is relatively abundant; stem cell and other cell therapies involve complex preparation and administration procedures, and there have been international case reports of adverse events such as infections or tumors from unregulated therapies. This site does not guarantee the efficacy or safety of any treatment. Relevant decisions should be based on evaluation by a qualified physician and confirmation that the institution is legally approved.
What are the 'Dual Regenerative Laws' passed in Taiwan in 2024? How do they affect the public?
The 'Dual Regenerative Laws' refer to the 'Regenerative Medicine Act' and the 'Regenerative Medical Products Act' passed by the Legislative Yuan in June 2024, establishing a dedicated legal framework for regenerative medicine (including cell therapy, gene therapy, and regenerative medical products) in Taiwan. Key directions include: clarifying the qualifications for performing regenerative medicine and conditions for medical institutions, strengthening patient rights protection and adverse reaction reporting, regulating the registration and conditional approval mechanisms for regenerative medical products, and requiring providers to have certain quality and safety controls. For the public, this means clearer legal basis and supervision for such treatments, but 'having a dedicated law' does not mean 'every treatment has been proven effective or suitable for everyone.' Applicability, costs, and risks still need to be evaluated by a qualified physician based on individual conditions, and the project and institution must be verified as legally approved. The actual provisions and sub-laws are subject to the announcements of the competent authority.
Where can I get regenerative medicine or stem cell anti-aging treatments?
In accordance with the law, treatment may only be performed at medical institutions approved by Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare and for approved indications. According to statistics from the Ministry of Health and Welfare's "Regenerative Medicine Technology Information Section," as of June 30, 2026, a cumulative 515 plans had been approved, and implementing institutions were 83 hospitals and 15 clinics (clinics: 12 in Taipei City, 2 in Kaohsiung City, and 1 in Hsinchu County); approved indications mainly comprise cancer, degenerative arthritis, difficult wounds, and tissue defects, and there is no item for "anti-aging" or "delaying aging." For treatments claiming "stem cell anti-aging," first confirm in the section "Where to Find Regenerative Medicine" whether the institution and indication are within the approved scope, and check the Ministry of Health and Welfare Medical Affairs Query System (ma.mohw.gov.tw) to confirm business registration. This site can search public information on relevant clinics by city/county and administrative district; it does not rank, refer, or match.
This page is a neutral compilation of information for reference only, not medical advice, and does not constitute any diagnostic commitment.