Yoo Myung-hee Visits Celltrion, "Actively Supporting COVID-19 Therapeutics and Diagnostic Kit Development"

Yoo Myung-hee, Director-General for Trade Negotiations at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] Yoo Myung-hee, the Chief Trade Negotiator of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, visited Celltrion, a biopharmaceutical manufacturer located in Songdo International City within the Incheon Free Economic Zone, on the 19th.

Earlier, on the 12th, Seo Jung-jin, chairman of the Celltrion Group, announced plans to develop a treatment for COVID-19 and a rapid diagnostic kit within a short period.

Chief Yoo expressed gratitude that the news of Celltrion’s treatment provided a great message of hope and courage to the public struggling due to COVID-19.

He also promised, "The government will actively support the prompt completion of Celltrion’s treatment and rapid diagnostic kit development."

CEO Ki Woo-sung of Celltrion said, "All employees are doing their utmost to develop the COVID-19 treatment and rapid diagnostic kit," and requested, "We ask the government to mobilize various policy measures soon so that normal activities can be possible for the public facing difficulties."

Chief Yoo stated that preparations are underway to foster the Incheon Free Economic Zone as a mecca of the bio innovation cluster. Since June last year, the government has been promoting changes and expansions of industrial land zones within the Free Economic Zone to enable timely investment by bio companies.

In particular, a revision to the Industry-Academic Cooperation Act, allowing foreign universities located within the Free Economic Zone to engage in industry-academic research activities with domestic companies, was recently passed by the National Assembly.

Chief Yoo said, "Utilizing the excellent research personnel and infrastructure of foreign universities located in Songdo, Incheon, will greatly contribute to securing competitiveness of the bio cluster through new technology development and workforce training."

CEO Ki requested, "As a main pillar of the Incheon bio cluster, please take great interest in revitalizing the ecosystem, including industry-academic collaboration activities and support for attracting raw material suppliers."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.