'50 SMEs Selected for K-Quarantine Supplies Technology Development, Up to 600 Million KRW Support Over 2 Years'

Expecting Development of Innovative Quarantine Supplies and Devices to Alleviate Difficulties of Medical Staff in Quarantine Sites and Realize Safe Public Life

Technology Development Target Product. [Photo by Ministry of SMEs and Startups]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on the 2nd that it has selected 50 projects to support the '2021 On-site Demand Customized Quarantine Supplies Technology Development.'

Earlier this year, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups established the 'On-site Demand Customized Quarantine Supplies Technology Development Project' to effectively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic by reflecting the demands of frontline medical personnel and to drive creative and disruptive technological innovation among small and medium-sized ventures.

In the first half of the year, 247 small businesses applied, showing a competition rate of 10.3:1, and in this second half call, 197 small businesses applied, recording a competition rate of 7.6:1, confirming the high interest of small and venture companies in the quarantine supplies technology development project.

The technology development under this project is supported for up to 600 million KRW over two years through two methods: the 'designated call type,' which reflects the on-site demands of infectious disease response medical personnel, and the 'free application type,' based on companies' creative ideas.

The projects selected this year are expected to greatly contribute to enhancing public safety and benefits from the COVID-19 infection crisis by resolving difficulties faced by COVID-19 frontline medical personnel and improving the level of daily quarantine for the general public.

In particular, projects such as the 'non-contact virus specimen collection robot system,' which enables specimen collection by spatially separating medical personnel and testees, and the 'vacuum-type doffing booth,' which can reduce the risk of additional infection when removing protective suits, have been selected and will begin full-scale technology development this year. Through this, the qualitative level of infectious disease-related quarantine systems in hospitals and clinics will be improved, and the risk of secondary infection among healthcare workers is expected to be significantly reduced.

Quarantine supplies and devices that can be installed and utilized in densely populated facilities such as factories and sports facilities to reduce the risk of secondary infection will be developed, including the 'distribution diagnostic system' to block airborne infectious agent transmission and detect viruses, and the 'quarantine lighting device,' which sterilizes contaminants through optical sensors.

Won Young-jun, Director of Technology Innovation Policy at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, said, "At the center of Korea's quarantine system, which is evaluated as a model case, are products from small and venture companies playing a pivotal role," adding, "The innovative quarantine supplies and devices supported by the Ministry will protect the lives and safety of the people from infectious diseases and will continuously support building a robust quarantine system not only in medical settings but also in the daily lives of the public."

Detailed information regarding participation in the project can be found on the Ministry of SMEs and Startups website and the Small and Medium Business Technology Development Comprehensive Management System.

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