Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital Selected for 'K-Biohealth Regional Center' Project

Exterior view of Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital. Provided by Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital

Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital announced on May 7 that it has been selected as a participating institution for the 'K-Biohealth Regional Center Support Project'.

This project is promoted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, and is supervised by the Jeonnam Bioindustry Foundation. Approximately 3.2 billion won (2.1 billion won from the national government and 1.1 billion won from local governments) will be invested over a total of three years. As a core participating institution, Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital aims to establish a support system covering the entire biohealth cycle, including the discovery of startup companies, technology development, clinical trials, certification, and testing and evaluation.

Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital recently attended the 'K-Biohealth Regional Center Support Project Kickoff Meeting' held at the Seoul Station main conference room and has begun preparations for the implementation of the project.

This kickoff meeting was attended by six consortiums, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the Korea Health Industry Development Institute. The participants discussed the implementation plan for the first year and further detailed the future direction of operations. Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital plans to work closely with the Jeonnam Bioindustry Foundation to foster the local biohealth industry.

In particular, Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital is accelerating next-generation cancer treatment research, such as immunotherapy and vaccine therapeutics, centered on the Future Medical Innovation Center, which was completed in October last year. Various global collaborative achievements are already becoming visible.

The Future Medical Innovation Center is an advanced complex facility that strengthens the linkage between clinical trials and the production of biopharmaceuticals. It is expected to become a forward base for the industrialization of K-Biohealth in the future.

Hospital Director Min Jungjun stated, "We are already moving toward a greater vision of becoming the 'center for cancer care and research in Asia.' We will contribute to revitalizing the local economy by closely cooperating among companies, hospitals, and research institutions, and by actively supporting the growth of biohealthcare startups."

Kim Hyungseok, Director of the Biomedical Research Institute and head of the project, said, "Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital already has world-class clinical trial infrastructure and research personnel. Through this project, the development and industrialization of high-value-added bio new drugs, such as immunotherapeutics and vaccine therapeutics, will be actively pursued."