Daewoong Pharmaceutical and Bestian Foundation
Join Forces for Advanced Regenerative Medicine Research
Focusing on Immune Diseases and Burn Treatment
On July 24, Daewoong Pharmaceutical announced that it had signed a business agreement with the Bestian Foundation to strengthen its research and development capabilities in the field of advanced regenerative medicine.
Park Seongsu, CEO of Daewoong Pharmaceutical (left), and Kim Kyungsik, Chairman of the Bestian Foundation, are posing for a commemorative photo after signing a business agreement. Daewoong Pharmaceutical
Daewoong Pharmaceutical possesses a variety of regenerative medicine technologies utilizing autologous NK cells, stem cells, and exosomes. The company has established a system that enables the stable production and supply of high-quality cells, including a GMP-certified cell therapy manufacturing facility, as well as licenses for advanced biopharmaceutical manufacturing, human cell management, and cell processing facilities.
Bestian Hospital is a medical institution authorized to conduct clinical research and treatment under the Advanced Regenerative Medicine Act. The hospital has a high level of expertise and a robust clinical infrastructure in the field of burn treatment. The two organizations plan to collaborate on clinical research for immune-related diseases using autologous NK cells, and on the joint development of an exosome-based wound treatment for burn patients that can be applied to actual patient care.
This research is expected to provide tangible benefits to both patients and healthcare professionals. For patients, autologous NK cell-based immunotherapy may reduce the likelihood of adverse reactions compared to conventional immunosuppressants. The exosome-based wound treatment acts directly on burn areas to promote tissue regeneration and control inflammation, which can shorten recovery times and reduce pain and scarring, thereby improving quality of life compared to traditional disinfection or skin graft treatments. For medical staff, the simple topical application method allows for direct induction of tissue regeneration, enhancing field applicability and ease of use.
The NK cell research will initially be conducted in the form of clinical studies in accordance with relevant regulations, with the possibility of expanding into therapeutic applications depending on future results. The exosome-based wound treatment is attracting attention as an alternative that can address the limitations of existing burn treatments. While current wound care mainly involves temporary protection through disinfection and dressings or skin grafts, stem cell-derived exosomes contain growth factors that can promote skin regeneration. As a result, there are high expectations for the development of next-generation exosome-based wound treatments.
The two organizations plan to accelerate clinical research and therapeutic applications in advanced regenerative medicine, with a focus on collaboration with the Chungbuk Advanced Regenerative Bio Global Innovation Zone. By utilizing Bestian Hospital, which is located within the innovation zone, research in advanced regenerative medicine can benefit from expedited review processes through a dedicated committee within the zone, as well as various benefits such as research funding support.
Kim Kyungsik, Chairman of the Bestian Foundation, stated, "We expect that the Bestian Hospital Clinical Trial Center, located in the Chungbuk Advanced Regenerative Bio Global Innovation Zone designated by the government, will provide an excellent opportunity to contribute to the development of the advanced regenerative medicine field. Based on our clinical experience as Korea's leading burn treatment institution, Bestian Hospital plans to expand the scope of advanced regenerative medicine technologies and contribute to building new patient-centered treatment models."
Park Seongsu, CEO of Daewoong Pharmaceutical, said, "Daewoong Pharmaceutical aims to bring real therapeutic benefits to patients and provide highly practical treatment solutions to healthcare professionals, thereby creating meaningful changes in the medical field. Through this agreement, by combining the technologies and experience of both organizations, we expect to achieve advanced regenerative medicine outcomes that benefit both patients and healthcare professionals."
Meanwhile, the signing ceremony for the business agreement was held last month at Daewoong Pharmaceutical's headquarters in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and was attended by Park Seongsu, CEO of Daewoong Pharmaceutical; Yoo Hyunseung, Head of Bio R&D Division; Yoo Jimin, Center Director; Kim Kyungsik, Chairman of the Bestian Foundation; Kim Taesu, Director of Bestian Medical Institute; and Baek Seungjae, Director of Bestian Clinical Trial Center.
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