Goyang Research Institute Holds 'Goyang Bio Cluster Promotion Kickoff Meeting'

Advantages of the National Cancer Center, Emphasizing the Promotion of the Bioindustry Utilizing Networks

The Goyang Research Institute in Gyeonggi announced on the 29th that it held the ‘Goyang Bio Cluster Promotion Kickoff Meeting’ at Sono Calm Goyang on the 27th to establish a foundation for innovative bioindustry development policies and cluster construction.

Lee Dong-hwan, Mayor of Goyang Special City, is delivering a welcoming speech at the "Goyang Bio Cluster Promotion Kickoff Meeting" held at Sono Calm Goyang on the 27th. Photo by Goyang Special City

This meeting is the third event hosted by the Goyang Research Institute in collaboration with the National Cancer Center, following the △2024 Gyeonggi-Goyang Global Bio Forum and △2024 Goyang Korea-Germany Economic Forum.

The Goyang Bio Cluster Promotion Kickoff Meeting was organized to break away from the bioindustry development strategies led by the central government so far and to seek more creative and effective ways to realize a bio cluster by involving Goyang City (local government) and various actors in the bio industry.

In particular, the meeting included experts from the domestic bio industry such as Han In-seok, Head of the K-Bio Lab Hub Project Promotion Team; Kim Joo-han, Professor at Seoul National University College of Medicine; Yoon Seok-geun, Chairman of Ilseong IS; and Kim Young-woo, Director of the National Cancer Center Research Institute, as well as AI expert Yeo Hyun-deok, Director of KAIST G-School, and Kang Dae-hwa, CEO formerly of Zaha Hadid Architects.

The opening ceremony began with a welcome speech by Lee Dong-hwan, Mayor of Goyang Special City, followed by congratulatory remarks from Yang Han-kwang, Director of the National Cancer Center, and an opening address by Kim Hyun-ho, Director of the Goyang Research Institute.

On the day, An Ji-ho, Head of the Economic Free Zone Center at the Goyang Research Institute, gave a presentation titled ‘Functions and Operation Plans of the Goyang Bio Cluster Policy Council.’ An emphasized that innovative bioindustry development and cluster construction are possible through the National Cancer Center’s network, including Seoul National University Hospital, KAIST, the Bio Association, and the K-Bio Lab Hub Project Promotion Team, as well as the Goyang Research Institute’s role as a policy intermediary.

The second presentation was delivered by Kang Dae-hwa, who is active in the UK, under the theme ‘Goyang Bio Cluster Reference Cases: From an Architect’s Perspective.’ Kang argued that focusing on cases such as the Francis Crick Institute and King’s Cross Regeneration, it is key for Goyang City to enable appropriate strategies and attract excellent talent through the National Cancer Center as a mediator for building the Goyang bio cluster.

During the discussion session, it was mentioned that the opening of the GTX has further improved the environment for the bio industry in Goyang City, and a proposal was made to strategically utilize the strengths of the National Cancer Center in Goyang City.

In particular, Han In-seok, Head of the K-Bio Lab Hub Project Promotion Team, limited the bioindustry belt to Siheung-Songdo-Yeongjong-Goyang, and Yoon Seok-geun, Chairman of Ilseong IS, emphasized the need for flexible strategies that accurately understand the needs of bio companies to attract them.

Lee Dong-hwan, Mayor of Goyang Special City, stated, “Since the world-class medical institution, the National Cancer Center, is located in Goyang City, we will spare no support to utilize the National Cancer Center as a bio anchor institution so that Goyang City can rise as a global economic city.”

He added, “KAIST, Seoul National University College of Medicine, the K-Bio Lab Hub Project Promotion Team, and bio companies participating in this meeting will cooperate with Goyang City to create the future of Goyang City together.”