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Chuncheon City in Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Mayor Yook Donghan) announced on the 16th that it held the "K-BioX Summit 7 ABDD in Boston" international symposium on the 15th (local time) in Boston, USA, a global hub of the bio industry.
The "2025 K-BioX Summit 7 ABDD in Boston" international symposium was held on the 15th (local time) at the Wyndham Boston Beacon Hill Hotel in Boston, USA. About 300 domestic and international bio researchers and company officials attended the event. Photo by Chuncheon City Hall
This symposium was co-hosted by Chuncheon City, K-BioX (the Korean-American Life Scientists Association), the Korean Association of Medical Colleges (KAMC), and Rutgers University. Around 300 participants attended, including domestic and international bio researchers, industry professionals, and hospital representatives.
Boston is home to world-class bio institutions such as Harvard University, MIT, and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), making it the undisputed center of the global bio cluster. Despite the restrictions of being a protected water source area for the capital region, Chuncheon has benchmarked Boston and has been restructuring its industrial framework around the bio sector.
Yook Donghan, Mayor of Chuncheon (left in the photo), and Lee Siyun, CEO of K-BioX, signed a memorandum of understanding on the 15th (local time) at the Windham Boston Beacon Hill Hotel in Boston, USA, to support the entry of Chuncheon bio companies into the US market and to facilitate activities of Korean bio researchers in the US. They are taking a commemorative photo after the signing. Photo by Chuncheon City Hall
The hosting of this international symposium and the signing of the agreement with K-BioX are being recognized as a practical turning point that connects Chuncheon to the world beyond Korea, marking a visible achievement of its 30-year strategy and the beginning of its global expansion.
Mayor Yook Donghan delivered the opening address, directly presenting Chuncheon's bio industry achievements and vision, drawing significant attention from attendees. Mayor Yook stated, "Since 1995, Chuncheon has strategically fostered the bio industry, and today, it has formed a self-sustaining bio ecosystem. Now, we aim to complete the Chuncheon-style K-bio cluster and leap forward as a global hub city beyond Korea." He added, "I hope this meeting in Boston will serve as the starting point that connects Chuncheon to the world."
The symposium featured a keynote speech, presentations from participating institutions and companies, technology sessions and small group meetings, and discussions on international cooperation. Leading hospitals and research institutions such as Harvard University, Stanford University, Mayo Clinic, and Massachusetts General Hospital participated, along with major companies including the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association, Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceutical, and GI Innovation, engaging in in-depth presentations and discussions.
The core agenda of this symposium was the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Chuncheon City and K-BioX (the Korean-American Life Scientists Association). Mayor Yook Donghan and Lee Siyun, CEO of K-BioX (and professor at Stanford University), agreed to cooperate on joint research based on advanced technologies such as AI healthcare and organoids, support for Chuncheon bio companies entering the US market, connecting activities of Korean researchers in Korea, and expanding exchanges through international seminars and workshops. Through this official partnership, the city has established a foundation for practical access to global technology and talent networks.
K-BioX was founded in 2016 by researchers at Stanford University and currently has about 13,000 Korean life scientists residing in North America as members.
Mayor Yook Donghan emphasized, "This agreement is not a mere ceremonial signing, but a practical link to expand the Chuncheon-style bio ecosystem to an international level. In particular, it is highly significant that we have established an integrated partnership that connects research and industry locally in North America."
Lee Siyun, CEO of K-BioX, stated, "Chuncheon is a city with an impressive commitment to building a bio industry ecosystem and policy. This agreement will be the starting point for sustainable exchanges between Korean scientists in North America and Chuncheon."
At the symposium, Chuncheon-based bio companies AprilBio, Bionsight, and Wudang Network participated as presenters to showcase their technological capabilities. Each company shared their technologies in areas such as the development of biopharmaceuticals for immunological and anticancer therapies, AI new drug development platforms, and atopic dermatitis in vitro diagnostic kits and therapeutics, attracting significant interest from domestic and international investors and research institution representatives present at the event. Notably, meaningful meetings with on-site investors took place during company-specific small group sessions held after the presentations.
Using this symposium as a stepping stone, Chuncheon City will also participate in "BIO USA 2025," the world's largest bio exhibition, together with nine local companies starting from the 16th. The city plans to provide on-site support to ensure practical export and research cooperation results through local buyer consultations, technology pitching, and investment attraction meetings.
Mayor Yook Donghan stated, "This Boston symposium was a venue where Chuncheon connected the three pillars of industry, talent, and international cooperation to accelerate its future strategic industries. Based on the global network initiated at the symposium, we will spare no policy support to help Chuncheon bio companies establish themselves in the global market."
Meanwhile, Chuncheon City plans to share the results of this US business trip both domestically and internationally through the "Gangwon Bio Expo" scheduled for November, further expanding its foundation for international cooperation.
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