Research and Development Special Zone Achieves 700 Billion Won in Technology Transfers and FDA Approvals... Deep Tech Commercialization Accelerates

Curebus and Sovagen Sign Major Technology Transfer Deals,
Endorobotics Receives FDA Approval... Proving the "Performance Platform"

The Research and Development Special Zone is establishing itself as a "performance platform" by achieving visible results in deep tech startups and technology commercialization. There have been a series of cases where research outcomes have led to the market and global stage, including large-scale technology transfers with global pharmaceutical companies, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals, and listings through the technology exception system.

On January 19, the Ministry of Science and ICT held the "2026 Research and Development Special Zone New Year's Meeting and Performance Exchange" at Hotel ICC in Daejeon, sharing past achievements and future visions. The event was attended by more than 200 people, including Vice Minister Bae Kyunghoon, officials from the Special Zone Foundation, local governments, the National Assembly, and representatives from industry, academia, and research institutes.

Reference photo to aid understanding of the article. Provided by Yonhap News Agency

This was the first New Year's event held since the designation of the Gangwon Special Zone, completing the system of six metropolitan special zones and thirteen small but strong special zones. Under the theme "Research and Development Special Zone Leading Regional Innovation Ecosystems as a Deep Tech Forward Base," the event expressed a strong commitment to fully establishing its role as a key hub for balanced national growth.

The achievements were demonstrated by the numbers. Curebus (500 billion won) and Sovagen (750 billion won) succeeded in signing technology transfer agreements with global pharmaceutical companies. Endorobotics became the first domestic medical device company to obtain U.S. FDA medical device classification code (NAY) approval. Intocell and Nota successfully went public on KOSDAQ through the technology exception system. These companies leveraged comprehensive government support, such as the Special Zone Development Project and the Special Zone Fund, to commercialize their research outcomes and expand globally.

The Performance Exchange held on the same day featured both a conference and an exhibition. The conference shared government support policies and the success know-how of leading companies, while the exhibition introduced seven outstanding technology commercialization achievements representing the Daejeon, Gwangju, Daegu, Busan, Jeonbuk, and Hongneung small but strong special zones. Vice Minister Bae personally toured the site to review achievements that have led to commercialization and global expansion.

Vice Minister Bae stated, "The Research and Development Special Zone is a forward base for deep tech startups and technology commercialization," adding, "We will expand support to ensure that technology does not remain in research and development but extends to industry, markets, and the global stage." The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to strengthen support for nurturing deep tech research-based companies and promoting global expansion, in connection with science and technology institutes and government-funded research institutes within the special zones.