Research on Advanced Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Treatment Technologies
Jeonnam National University Hospital has established the 'AI-Bio Convergence Medical Cluster' in Dong-gu, Gwangju and Hwasun, aiming to elevate the nation's medical competitiveness and present a new growth paradigm to overcome the crisis of regional extinction.
According to Jeonnam National University Hospital on May 21, the hospital, together with Hwasun Jeonnam National University Hospital and Chosun University Hospital, is working to create the 'Gwangju-Jeonnam AI-Bio Convergence Medical Cluster.' This initiative centers on Dong-gu, Gwangju and Hwasun, Jeonnam, which are considered to have the best geographic location in the country, and integrates advanced medical infrastructure, research and development, education, and industry-academia collaboration.
The Democratic Party of Korea is also supporting the initiative, including the urban bio-medical cluster development project in its 21st presidential election pledges.
This project goes beyond simple expansion of medical facilities. Its goals include the development and commercialization of innovative treatment technologies using advanced regenerative medicine and AI technologies, as well as a paradigm shift in cancer treatment focusing on particle therapy and precision diagnostics. By merging the existing AI infrastructure and advanced regenerative and bio industries in the Gwangju-Jeonnam region, the project aims to enhance national medical competitiveness and serve as a leading model for addressing regional extinction. After being designated as a first-phase certified research-oriented hospital by the Ministry of Health and Welfare on April 1, Jeonnam National University Hospital now plans to become a true center of medical innovation by spearheading the creation of this large-scale cluster.
The 'AI-Bio Convergence Medical Cluster' consists of three core projects: ▲ Establishment of an AI-based medical device innovation startup cluster ▲ Establishment of an advanced regenerative medicine industrialization innovation hub ▲ Establishment of an Asia cancer hub cluster.
The 'AI-based medical device innovation startup cluster' will invest 200 billion KRW to build infrastructure such as an open innovation lab, a doctor makers development center, and a usability and efficacy evaluation center. It will also establish a one-stop support system covering everything from AI-based design and analysis to clinical validation. The system provides full-cycle support, from discovering ideas from the medical field to prototype production, non-clinical trials, clinical trials, and product commercialization.
The 'advanced regenerative medicine industrialization innovation hub' will invest 200 billion KRW in Dong-gu, Gwangju and Hwasun, Jeonnam to create an advanced regenerative medicine demonstration center and a joint GMP facility. This hub will support technology demonstration, review support, education, and hospital-linked clinical validation in fields such as cell therapy, exosome therapy, and tissue engineering/convergent therapy, while also working to attract related companies.
The 'Asia cancer hub cluster,' in collaboration with Hwasun Jeonnam National University Hospital, will invest 1 trillion KRW in Hwasun, Jeonnam to establish a global smart healthcare ecosystem based on particle therapy and Bio-AI. The project includes the introduction of a proton therapy device, construction of alpha particle production infrastructure, and establishment of a theranostics complex center, as well as the creation of a residential healthcare town with long-term stay and recovery facilities for cancer patients.
The 'AI-Bio Convergence Medical Cluster' proposed by Jeonnam National University Hospital is also significant in terms of balanced national development. As concentration in the Seoul metropolitan area intensifies, strengthening medical competitiveness and fostering the bio-health industry in the Gwangju-Jeonnam region is expected to become an effective model for addressing regional extinction.
Jeong Shin, Director of Jeonnam National University Hospital, emphasized, "If the medical cluster leads to the creation of high-quality jobs, the inflow of talent, and the fostering of bio-health startups, it will help prevent population outflow from the region and secure new growth engines. For this, the establishment of a state-led AI-Bio Convergence Medical Cluster is essential."
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