The Hwasun Bio-Specialized Complex is moving forward to establish a hub for cancer research and commercialization through enhanced collaboration among academia, industry, research, hospitals, and government.
The Jeonnam Bio Promotion Institute, led by Acting Director Yang Wan-gil, and the Hwasun Life Science Forum, chaired by Beom Hee-seung, held a meeting on September 29 at the Hwasun County Office to discuss the establishment of a cancer hub within the bio-specialized complex.
The meeting aimed to explore strategies for building the cancer hub by leveraging existing research, medical, and industrial infrastructure in Hwasun, while strengthening collaborative frameworks to enhance the competitiveness of the local bio-industry.
Under the leadership of Acting Director Yang, the Jeonnam Bio Promotion Institute is focusing on connecting the research and commercialization foundations of the local bio-industry with relevant institutions such as hospitals, universities, and companies. The discussions at this meeting were centered on ways to extend the achievements of the bio-specialized complex into practical applications in industry and research.
Attendees included Hwasun County Mayor Lim Ji-rak, Jeong Gil-saeng, head of the New Drug Division at the Korea Research Foundation, Kim Jong-gap, former director of the Jeollanam-do Strategic Industry Bureau, members of the Hwasun Life Science Forum, and over 50 representatives from Hwasun County, the Jeonnam Bio Promotion Institute, and Hwasun Jeonnam University Hospital.
Participants shared the operational achievements of the Hwasun Life Science Forum this year and discussed plans for creating a regional advanced medical complex and establishing a cancer hub centered around Hwasun Jeonnam University Hospital.
They also exchanged views on policy directions and collaboration strategies to connect research and development capabilities in the cancer field with the local bio-industry, aiming to expand these into technology development and commercialization for companies.
Professor Kim Hyung-seok from Hwasun Jeonnam University Hospital delivered a special lecture titled "The Path of Hwasun: The Path of Water, Industry, and Life." He reflected on the development of the bio-cluster and medical cluster in Hwasun and proposed strategies for their expansion and advancement.
A suggestion was made to strengthen connections with national research and development (R&D) projects.
Jeong Gil-saeng emphasized, "With the R&D budget for 2027 expected to reach 40 trillion won, we will actively work to establish a close communication system with relevant ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the Ministry of Science and ICT, to secure related budgets."
Lim Ji-rak stated, "Hwasun has continuously dedicated itself to the development of the bio-industry based on the country's only comprehensive bio-infrastructure, resulting in the conception of a national project to establish a cancer hub. We will actively seek concrete measures that can be practically implemented for the advancement of the bio-industry."
The Jeonnam Bio Promotion Institute and the Hwasun Life Science Forum plan to continue their collaborative efforts with local research and medical institutions, companies, and others to specify joint tasks for establishing the cancer hub and fostering the local bio-industry.
Meanwhile, the Hwasun Life Science Forum operates with the goal of discovering policies and building a collaborative network for the development of the local bio-pharmaceutical industry. Through regular meetings and seminars, it shares the direction of bio-industry development and identifies collaborative projects that can be pursued together by academia, industry, research, hospitals, and government.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.