Daejeon to Foster 'Bio' and Gwangju to Develop 'Artificial Intelligence' Technology Businesses

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] The Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology and Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology have been selected for the 'Establishment Project of a Leading Model for Industry-Academia-Government Linked Commercialization,' which aims to promote regional economic development by linking public research institutes and universities to build a leading model for technology commercialization of core R&D achievements. The Ministry of Science and ICT announced this selection on the 29th and stated that support will begin next month.

The Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology will embark on the 'Establishment of a Bio-Convergence Leading Technology Cluster Based on the 4th Industrial Revolution' with government support. Based on high value-added biomedical research facilities and corporate infrastructure in the Daejeon and Chungnam regions, it will establish a cooperative system for the commercialization of biopharmaceutical technologies.

In particular, it will expand the potential for creating future new industries that proactively respond to the post-COVID-19 era and secure global competitive advantages in antiviral drugs (influenza, COVID-19, infections, etc.), anticancer drugs, diagnostic kits, and more.

Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology will undertake the task of 'Establishing a Leading Model for Industry-Academia-Government Cooperation in AI-Based Convergent Technology Commercialization,' by building a cooperative system linking the AI Integrated Research Industrial Complex Special Zone in the Gwangju region with world-renowned AI research institutes, companies, and international cooperation bases.

In line with the government's focused strategy to foster the AI industry, it is expected to lead innovative growth in the 4th Industrial Revolution through establishing a cooperative system for AI convergence technology commercialization related to AI-based precision medicine, smart factories, control systems, and mobile traffic information systems.

Through this project selection, the government has supported a total of five projects since 2017. So far, it has discovered 138 convergence technologies, transferred 230 excellent domestic and international technologies (with technology fees of approximately 54.8 billion KRW), launched 21 technology startups, and attracted investments worth 45.2 billion KRW.

Kwon Seok-min, Director of Science and Technology Job Innovation at the Ministry of Science and ICT, stated, "By consolidating technologies held by universities and research institutes, we are producing tangible results such as the release of products and services that the public can experience." He added, "We will continue to expand various supports so that excellent research achievements held by universities and public research institutes can be utilized in future new growth engines and new industries, including technology convergence and overseas expansion."

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