'Moderna Founder' Prof. Langer from the US Advises Goyang City's 'Bio Tech'

Goyang-si Focuses on Creating a Bio Precision Medical Cluster
Professor Langer Proposes 'Human Resources, Financial Support, and Regulatory Relief'
Mayor Lee Dong-hwan Requests Cooperation, "An Opportunity to Boost the Economic Free Zone"

[Asia Economy Reporter Youngchul Ra] Goyang Special City, with a population of 1.08 million, is planning to become a hub city for advanced industries such as bio, MICE, and semiconductors. In this context, Mayor Donghwan Lee of Goyang attracted attention by visiting the United States upon the invitation of Professor Robert Langer of MIT, one of the co-founders of the bio company Moderna.

Professor Langer is known as an authority in the bio industry, called the 'God of Bio Startups,' holding more than 1,200 international patents and participating in the founding of over 40 bio startups.

On the 8th, Lee Dong-hwan, mayor of Goyang City, was invited to the home of Professor Robert Langer of MIT, known as the "God of Bio Startups," where he sought advice on the bio-precision medical cluster being promoted by the city and proposed attracting a bio-research institute to Goyang City.
[Photo by Goyang City]

According to Goyang City on the 15th, Mayor Lee visited the United States at the invitation of MIT Professor Robert Langer, one of Moderna’s co-founders and directors, to seek advice on the establishment of a bio-precision medical cluster that the city is promoting and to discuss the development direction of the bio industry.

As many domestic and international bio companies desire consultation and collaboration with Professor Langer, there is also an expectation that the exchange between Mayor Lee and Professor Langer will have a positive impact on attracting bio companies to Goyang City.

Goyang City plans to attract companies based on various support policies such as infrastructure, administrative support, and investment by establishing a 'Bio Precision Medical Cluster' once it receives designation as an economic free zone.

Mayor Lee consulted Professor Langer, saying, "I want to learn the know-how to create a biotech community like Boston and Cambridge in the United States," and Professor Langer presented three key measures for the growth of Goyang’s bio industry: human resource development, financial support, and deregulation.

Professor Langer advised, "Above all, human resources are important, and good talent comes from a research-friendly environment. If you recruit good professors and create an environment where they can conduct research, good talent will come, and that talent will found good companies, leading to urban development."

He added, "With financial support such as incentives to help companies grow, an environment where clinical trials can be easily conducted, and deregulation, a competitive bio-industry cluster can be established."

Goyang City is promoting the establishment of an economic free zone to grow as a self-sufficient city.
[Photo by Goyang City]

Mayor Lee especially emphasized to Professor Langer the large-scale development projects underway, including Goyang Ilsan Technovalley, CJ Live City, and Goyang Broadcasting and Video Valley, where advanced companies will be located.

He said, "As a city with many strengths, I expect that if we cooperate with Professor Langer, we can create a more competitive cluster," proposing continuous cooperation and the attraction of a bio research institute to Goyang City.

Professor Langer accepted the proposal, saying, "The strengths of Goyang City are quite impressive, and I will introduce and recommend Goyang to my talented students in Korea."

Goyang City plans to focus on establishing the bio-precision medical cluster through Professor Langer’s advice and expects this to serve as an opportunity to attract bio research institutes and global companies in the future.

Mayor Lee stated, "Through the meeting with Professor Langer, I gained deep insights into ways to grow the bio industry," and added, "I will definitely secure the final selection as an economic free zone and develop Goyang Special City into a hub city for advanced industries."

Mayor Lee returned on the 12th after completing a solo overseas business trip to Miami, USA, on the 8th to find solutions for the growth of Goyang’s bio industry.

Goyang City is currently operating under a quasi-budget system, and Mayor Lee covered the expenses for the US trip personally.