Global Vaccine Experts Gathered in Hwasun, Jeonnam

Opening of the 'Hwasun International Vaccine and Immunotherapy Forum' on the 24th
Expansion from academia-centered to industry exchange

The "Hwasun International Vaccine and Immunotherapy Forum" began discussions on development plans on the 24th at the Haneum Culture and Sports Center, where global vaccine experts gathered.
[Photo by Jeollanam-do]

The '2024 Hwasun International Vaccine and Immunotherapy Forum,' hosted by Jeollanam-do and Hwasun County, was held on the 24th at the Hwasun Hanium Culture and Sports Center, marking the start of discussions among global experts on the advancement of vaccines and immunotherapy.

Since its inception in 2016, the Hwasun International Vaccine and Immunotherapy Forum, now in its 8th year, has significantly contributed to raising the domestic and international recognition of the Hwasun Vaccine Industry Special Zone and revitalizing the zone.

The forum, themed 'Global Vaccine Development, Next-Generation Immunotherapy, and AI,' will continue until the 25th. Especially following the designation of the Hwasun Bio Specialized Complex in June, the forum has expanded from primarily academic exchanges to include industry collaboration, enabling in-depth discussions across various fields.

On the first day, the 24th, sessions included a global expert forum on 'Future-Oriented Vaccine and Immunotherapy Technologies,' an industry expert forum on 'Innovative Cases of Vaccine and Immunotherapy Companies,' and a panel discussion on the advancement of vaccines and immunotherapy.

Park Chang-hwan, Deputy Governor for Economy of Jeollanam-do, emphasized in his welcoming remarks, "Jeollanam-do is actively striving to attract the National Advanced Medical Complex to Hwasun and designate it as an Opportunity Development Special Zone, aiming to establish it as a world-class bio-centered region."

On the 25th, tours of the Hwasun Bio Specialized Complex and bio innovation institutions are scheduled.

Jeollanam-do has proactively invested efforts over the past 20 years to develop Hwasun as a bio-centered region, achieving the remarkable milestone of designating Hwasun as a National Advanced Strategic Industry Bio Specialized Complex this past June. Utilizing the full-cycle infrastructure of the Hwasun Vaccine Special Zone, which supports everything from vaccine development to clinical trials and production, the province is accelerating efforts to nurture companies and leap forward as a global vaccine hub.

Additionally, last year, an Open Innovation Platform?a space where bio companies can jointly conduct research and experiments?was established at the National Immunotherapy Innovation Center. By utilizing this infrastructure, bio companies can access expensive immunotherapy-related equipment at low cost and efficiently conduct clinical trials, which are typically challenging for companies, within the vaccine special zone.

The Hwasun Vaccine Special Zone is also developing infrastructure to attract bio companies and foster talent, including the establishment of a Biohealth Convergence Knowledge Industry Center and a vaccine specialist training platform.

Jeollanam-do plans to leverage the infrastructure established in Hwasun to strengthen competitiveness as a global vaccine and immunotherapy hub and to devote full efforts to attracting bio companies.