CJ CheilJedang Collaborates with Ajou University Medical Center on Medical Research Using 'Microbiome' Technology

CJ CheilJedang Develops Microbiome Utility
Ajou University Holds Strength in Disease-Specific Database

Hwang Yun-il, Head of the Bio Division at CJ CheilJedang (right), and Park Hae-sim, Director of Ajou University Medical Center (left), signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for joint research and development of the microbiome on the 8th at Ajou University Medical Center in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-sun] CJ CheilJedang is partnering with Ajou University Medical Center to jointly research and develop the 'microbiome.' The term 'microbiome' combines microbe and biome, referring to the tens of trillions of microbes and their genes existing within the human body.

On the 8th, CJ CheilJedang announced on the 11th that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for joint microbiome research and development at Ajou University Medical Center in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, with executives and officials from both sides attending, including Hwang Yoon-il, Vice President and Head of the Bio Business Division at CJ CheilJedang, and Park Hae-sim, Director of Ajou University Medical Center.

This collaboration was initiated to combine each party's strengths to produce innovative research outcomes in the medical field. CJ CheilJedang possesses competitive research and development capabilities related to the microbiome based on differentiated microbial technology accumulated over decades. Ajou University Medical Center has secured and analyzed numerous clinical data related to brain, liver, and digestive diseases, establishing a disease-specific human biobank used as a biomarker, diagnostic, and new drug development platform.

CJ CheilJedang and Ajou University Medical Center will actively engage in joint microbiome research useful for disease treatment, while also promoting personnel and academic exchanges and joint use of research facilities. CJ CheilJedang is expected to maximize its microbial R&D competitiveness to discover valuable microbiome candidates, and Ajou University Medical Center will be responsible for developing disease treatment solutions based on these candidates.

Meanwhile, CJ CheilJedang leads the global green bio market with annual sales of approximately 3 trillion KRW based on microbial technology. In November last year, the company announced its full-scale entry into the white bio market, starting with the marine biodegradable plastic material PHA.