Chosun University-KOVIS Take the Lead in Technology Transfer to Revitalize the Seaweed Bioindustry

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Chosun University Marine Healthcare Efficacy Verification Center announced on the 24th that it has signed a technology transfer agreement with Covis Co., Ltd. to revitalize the seaweed bioindustry and will proceed with the transfer of core technologies.

This technology transfer follows the agreement signed on April 22 in the medium conference room on the 3rd floor of the Chosun University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation.

The patented technology was derived from the research outcomes of the Marine Healthcare Efficacy Verification Center’s “Seaweed-based Bio Healthcare Efficacy Material Verification Support Project (Center Director Kim Chunsung).” It was conducted with support from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (Minister Cho Seunghwan), the Korea Institute of Marine Science and Technology Promotion (President Oh Woonyeol), Jeollanam-do Province, and Wando County.

The core of the patented technology is the “Manufacturing method of a composition for prevention and treatment of periodontal disease using fucoidan,” which enables the prevention of periodontal disease and the manufacture of treatment compositions using fucoidan derived from brown algae such as miyeok and dashima and water-soluble chitosan.

Fucoidan and water-soluble chitosan act to form and disperse self-assembled nanoparticles.

Through this, biocompatibility and anti-inflammatory activity are enhanced, making it applicable to pharmaceuticals, toothpaste, oral mists, and oral films.

The Chosun University research team plans to transfer technologies such as “Manufacturing composition of toothpaste applying fucoidan nanomaterials,” “Commercialization of general medicines applying fucoidan nanomaterials,” and “Fucoidan capsule process” to Covis Co., Ltd. for industrialization of the manufacturing technology.

Covis Co., Ltd. was established in November 2017 as Gwangju Technopark Gwangju Union Technology Holding Company No. 12 and registered as a research institute company this year.

In 2020, it received venture company certification and excellent technology evaluation company certification (medical tinted glass coating technology), and obtained medical device manufacturing approval.

Additionally, in December last year, it was designated as a promising export small and medium enterprise and is a promising company leading the biomedical industry in the Gwangju area, having obtained ISO 13485 certification for medical device quality management systems.

Moreover, Covis CEO Baek Jongil has been active as the inaugural chairman of the Biomaterial Parts Cooperative established in 2019 and is recognized as a capable entrepreneur in the region.

Center Director Kim Chunsung stated, “To utilize seaweed as a high value-added functional material, it is essential to standardize raw materials and verify the functionality and safety of the materials. We will transfer the core technologies derived from this project to related companies to ensure rapid industrialization.”

Meanwhile, the Chosun University Marine Healthcare Efficacy Verification Center, opened in April 2021, is a research-based verification support system project that supports efficacy and standardization processes required during certification procedures such as those by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for companies lacking research evaluation systems to commercialize their products. Ten research institutions are participating to develop seaweed-derived biohealthcare materials and commercialization products, supporting marine and fisheries companies and fishermen facing difficulties in verifying seaweed efficacy. Through this, it is expected to develop high value-added marine bio products and establish a foundation for fostering various bio companies in the region by increasing the added value of seaweed.

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