Ministry of Health and Welfare Discusses Measures to Promote Advanced Regenerative Medicine Clinical Research

R&D Budget Support of 34 Billion KRW Over 3 Years Starting This Year for Clinical Research

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] On the 3rd, the Ministry of Health and Welfare discussed measures to activate clinical research with 22 tertiary hospitals designated as advanced regenerative medicine implementation institutions.

At this briefing session, the government collected field opinions on detailed implementation plans for regenerative medicine policy directions over the next five years. They also requested the active interest and support of the heads of regenerative medicine implementation institutions to ensure that about 20 regenerative medicine clinical studies planned for this year are conducted under a strict safety management system. The newly designated regenerative medicine implementation institutions are planning clinical research using stem cells and genes for intractable diseases such as diabetes, osteoarthritis, and melanoma.

The government plans to actively support clinical research in the field of regenerative medicine at these institutions. First, for clinical studies that receive final approval from the Advanced Regenerative Medicine and Advanced Biopharmaceutical Review Committee, a research and development (R&D) budget of 34 billion KRW will be provided over three years starting this year. Additionally, the procedure for supporting public interest clinical research under health insurance will be improved to allow integrated application at the clinical research review application stage for regenerative medicine clinical research, facilitating the prompt progress of clinical studies.

Following the current 22 tertiary hospitals, online briefings will be held in the first half of this year targeting hospitals at the general hospital level or higher.

Kang Do-tae, the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated, "Advanced regenerative medicine is an innovative medical technology field that can treat many rare and intractable diseases previously considered impossible with conventional medicine," adding, "We will continue to expand policy support to activate regenerative medicine clinical research so that new treatment methods can be applied clinically under strict safety management."