DYD, Gangwon-do, and MIJ Sign Joint Research and Production Agreement for Semiconductor in Saliva-Based Diabetes Diagnostic Kit

(From left) MIJ CEO Heo Jin-sook, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Deputy Governor for Economic Affairs Jeong Gwang-yeol, DYD CEO Kim Young-duk. Provided by DYD

DYD announced on the 24th that it has signed a business agreement with Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province and medical device manufacturer MIJ to establish a public-private cooperation system and promote the development of the semiconductor industry.

Through this agreement, DYD plans to jointly produce semiconductor wafers for the upcoming glycated albumin diagnostic kit and activate related research.

The three institutions participating in this agreement agreed to mutually cooperate to build and foster the semiconductor industry ecosystem in Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, create bio-semiconductor infrastructure, and attract corporate investment.

This agreement is aimed at establishing a bio-semiconductor production base developed by DYD. The bio-semiconductor that DYD intends to produce integrates next-generation technologies such as semiconductor surface technology and antibody conjugation technology, serving as a core component of a product that can measure glycated albumin through saliva in just one minute. While existing diagnostic kits adhered antibodies to membranes, the diagnostic kit developed by DYD adheres them to semiconductor wafers.

A DYD representative stated, “As a representative of private companies, we have participated in establishing a public-private cooperation system for the development of the semiconductor industry in Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province,” and added, “We will actively utilize DYD’s resources to lay the foundation for creating a Gangwon-type semiconductor industry ecosystem.”

Meanwhile, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province is actively promoting the semiconductor industry. On the 17th, it announced a plan to focus on fostering six future industries including semiconductors and bio, aiming to achieve a regional gross domestic product (GRDP) of 100 trillion won by 2032. It recently participated in ‘Semicon Korea 2025’ to attract semiconductor company investments and is currently conducting a public contest for the ‘Semiconductor Research and Development Support Project’ to strengthen the competitiveness of the semiconductor industry within the province.