Bio Research and Startup Resources and Information in One Place... Incheon City Opens 'iBioMap'

Incheon City announced on the 11th that it has launched an online platform called 'iBioMap' in collaboration with Incheon Technopark (Incheon TP) to connect and support the local bioindustry ecosystem.

iBioMap is a dedicated resource-sharing platform that gathers various resources and information constituting the bio ecosystem in the Incheon area, enabling anyone involved in bio-related fields such as researchers, students, and office workers to easily access and utilize them.

In particular, it introduces a map-based visualization system to provide convenience by allowing users to check the locations of equipment, institutions, and companies in each area of Incheon. Through this, users can instantly search for and use research equipment near their residence or workplace using a personal computer (PC) or smartphone. It also provides information on major bio institutions and companies in the region.

AIBIOMAP screen. Provided by Incheon City

Currently, iBioMap offers information on shared research equipment in some parts of Incheon (228 items, 8 institutions), bio companies in Incheon (41 companies), the latest bioindustry news and trend data, and government and local government support project information. In the future, it plans to continuously provide necessary information for bio field workers, including research equipment and company information from all areas of Incheon, as well as research technology, patents, papers, and recruitment.

The bioindustry is known as a field that requires a lot of time and cost from technology development to commercialization, with high market entry barriers for early startups and small and medium-sized enterprises. However, recently, the bioindustry is rapidly changing from an individual research approach to an 'open innovation' model, which utilizes support and cooperation from external resources for innovation.

In line with these changes, the city expects that iBioMap, which integrates bioindustry resources and information, will expand open innovation among companies and increase the possibility of technological innovation and commercialization success.

An official from Incheon City stated, "We will develop iBioMap not only as a platform for sharing research resources within the region but also as a place for communication and exchange that activates open innovation among innovative companies."