'North America Business Trip' Kim Dong-yeon Proposes Establishing US Largest Bio Association Korea Branch in Gwanggyo

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon (right) is shaking hands with Panetta, Chairman of Biocom CA, during his visit to the Biocom CA headquarters in the United States on the 15th (local time).

Kim Dong-yeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, currently visiting the United States, proposed establishing the Korean branch of the largest U.S. bio association in Gwanggyo, Suwon.

On the 15th (local time), Governor Kim visited BioCom California (BioCom CA), the largest U.S. bio association located in San Diego, to discuss ways to build a cooperative relationship for fostering the bio industry in Gyeonggi Province. BioCom CA has over 1,800 member companies, making it the largest bio association in the U.S.

At the meeting, Governor Kim handed over a "Letter of Intent (LOI) to Enhance Partnership between Gyeonggi Province and BioCom CA" to Joe Panetta, Chairman of BioCom CA. The LOI included plans to attract the BioCom CA Korean branch to Gwanggyo, establish a long-term cooperative partnership between Gyeonggi Province and California, and set up a permanent communication channel.

During the discussion, Governor Kim explained Gyeonggi Province’s plans for bioindustry development and made two proposals.

First, he said, "I want to quickly collaborate on things we can do together with BioCom CA," emphasizing, "I hope you will support bio-related corporate education, workforce training, startup cultivation, and overseas expansion assistance."

He then added, "I hope the establishment of the BioCom CA Korean branch, which is currently under discussion with the Gyeonggi Provincial Economic Science Promotion Agency, proceeds quickly so that we can build a close cooperative relationship."

In response, Joe Panetta, Chairman of BioCom CA, said, "It is very encouraging to see the rapid growth of Korea’s biotechnology industry," and added, "Let us work together toward our shared goals by enhancing the relationship between Gyeonggi Province and BioCom."

He further requested, "Please support many Gyeonggi companies to participate in the global partnership conference hosted by BioCom CA," and added, "There is a system where overseas companies are invited to collaborate in a venture-style operation, and it would be great to have a similar program with Gyeonggi companies."

Gyeonggi Province views BioCom CA’s global capabilities as a significant asset in creating a bioindustry ecosystem in the province.

As the first cooperative project during this visit, Gyeonggi Province invited BioCom to the "Global Startup Expo" to be held in September this year.

Governor Kim also visited Illumina, a leading U.S. genome analysis company in San Diego, and met with Ashley Van Zylend, Vice President, to explain Gyeonggi Province’s bioindustry policies and discuss cooperation plans.

Both parties agreed to strengthen cooperation in areas such as training bio-specialized personnel, enhancing startup capabilities, and utilizing genome data.

BioCom CA and Illumina visited Gyeonggi Province last October as part of the San Diego economic delegation led by Mayor Todd Gloria.

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