Government "Creating Pipeline from Basic Research to Commercialization"
[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The government announced that it has started developing 'K-Bio' medical devices this year with an investment of 87.5 billion KRW. The aim is to create a pipeline that covers everything from basic research to commercialization.
The Pan-Ministerial Full-Cycle Medical Device R&D Project Group announced on the 16th that it has announced medical device research and development (R&D) tasks worth 87.5 billion KRW for this year.
The project group will receive support of 1.2 trillion KRW from this year until 2025. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety jointly promote the project.
This year, 289 new tasks will be supported. The goals include developing market-friendly products with global competitiveness, leading the 4th Industrial Revolution and future medical environments, implementing medical public welfare and solving social problems, and strengthening medical device commercialization capabilities.
Tasks are planned reflecting the demands of on-site medical institutions and users, and will be carried through to commercialization.
Support will be provided for tasks such as securing the performance of infectious disease medical devices like portable CT for diagnosing pulmonary diseases and intelligent ventilators, as well as localization of core components such as raw materials for diagnostic kits.
The 289 tasks are classified into four categories. First, 40.7 billion KRW will be invested in 88 market-friendly global competitiveness product development tasks.
Among 76 major items are ultrasound fusion imaging and biopsy systems for breast cancer diagnosis, intelligent dental diagnosis and prosthetic treatment integrated solutions, and brain-dedicated positron emission tomography scanners.
Regarding infectious diseases and components, 12 items such as respiratory virus emergency diagnosis platforms, X-ray generating devices, and detectors will be discovered.
Next, 21 billion KRW will be supported for 69 innovative technology product development tasks related to the 4th Industrial Revolution.
Among 68 major items are AI-based smart healthcare medical devices and medical devices based on functional biomaterials that detect and control microenvironments inside and outside the body.
One intervention procedure robot component module related to infectious diseases and materials is also included.
There are 50 medical device product development tasks aimed at implementing medical public welfare and solving social problems, with an investment of 10.5 billion KRW.
Among 45 major items are electronically controlled lower limb prostheses, musculoskeletal function recovery systems, and on-site diagnostic cardiac ultrasound imaging devices.
Five items related to infectious diseases and materials, such as portable cardiopulmonary support devices and electromyoelectric prosthesis component modules, are also included.
To strengthen medical device commercialization capabilities, 15.3 billion KRW will be supported for 82 tasks.
The 82 tasks include clinical support at each product development stage and customized regulatory approval support.
Strategic product types that are relatively ▲technically challenging and have significant social ripple effects and ▲require urgent domestic technology accumulation to reduce import dependence and achieve industrial independence will be selected for focused management.
The project group will take the lead in planning and managing. Three specialized institutions will conduct the selection and evaluation of new tasks.
Kim Beopmin, head of the project group, said, "The most important factor when selecting task-performing institutions is the usability in clinical settings," adding, "The project group will spare no effort in providing full support from the task initiation stage to ensure the success of R&D."
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