Jebahyeop "Domestic Bio-Cluster, Needs Customized Support Based on Feasibility Analysis"

"It is necessary to analyze promising bio clusters and provide customized support to address what is lacking."

On the 8th (local time), Noh Yeon-hong, chairman of the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association, spoke at a press conference held in Boston, USA.
[Photo by Lee Chun-hee]

No Yeonhong, Chairman of the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association, stated at a press conference held on the 8th (local time) at the Bio International Convention 2023 (BioUSA) in Boston, USA, "It is important for the government or local governments to establish a base as a catalyst," but he also suggested, "Since it is difficult for the government to lead the ecosystem from start to finish, the government should analyze the competitiveness of already established areas and fill in the gaps accordingly."

Recently, the government has been accelerating the development of bio clusters, announcing the 'Plan to Foster Advanced Industry Global Clusters' on the 1st. In particular, Boston is recognized as a global bio cluster region, with the government pointing to nearby Cambridge's 'Kendall Square' as a model. Kendall Square is known as "the most innovative 1 square mile (2.9 km²) on Earth," housing over 1,000 bio companies and venture capitalists (VCs) including Moderna and Pfizer, as well as universities, hospitals, startup spaces, coffee shops, restaurants, and parks such as Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Chairman No explained, "Kendall Square gathers global big pharma, VCs, and experts in law, accounting, and other fields," adding, "Because they play comprehensive roles in their respective areas, it is recognized as the world's top bio cluster."

He emphasized customized support as a concrete measure. Chairman No said, "Efforts tailored to the characteristics of each cluster should be made to develop them distinctively, and convergence that breaks down the boundaries between industry, academia, research, and government must be achieved," adding, "Sustainable support plans for each cluster in research and development (R&D), startups, and investment should be sought."

The marker stone of Kendall Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, inscribed with "The Most Innovative 1 Square Mile in the World"
Photo by Lee Chunhee

He also stressed the importance of 'open innovation.' He explained, "We need to learn the strengths of advanced clusters through open innovation," and "Various collaboration models such as joint R&D and financial and strategic investments must be established." Taking advantage of this U.S. trip, the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association plans to engage in various collaborative discussions with the Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC), MIT Industry Liaison Program (ILP), and 'Biocom California,' a coalition of bio companies in California.

As a core element of cluster support, he pointed to human resources. Chairman No stated, "Human resources are crucial when nurturing clusters, but there is a shortage," and elaborated, "Training and supplying specialized personnel to meet the expanding industrial demand is a key task." Regarding this, he introduced efforts such as the World Health Organization (WHO) designating Korea as a bio workforce training hub, and collaborations among the government, Incheon City, and Yonsei University to establish the Korea National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (K-NIBRT), a Korean-style national bio process education and research institute.

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