Gwangju City Holds Completion Ceremony for Micro Medical Robot Development Support Center

32 Billion Won Invested to Support R&D and Commercialization
Strengthening Industry-Academia-Research-Hospital Collaboration
Leading the Advanced Medical Industry
"Fostering the Medical Industry... Creating Youth Jobs and Revitalizing the Local Economy"

On the 26th, at the completion ceremony of the 'Micro Medical Robot Development Support Center' built within the Buk-gu Gwangju Advanced Science National Industrial Complex, Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong and attendees are cutting the tape. Photo by Gwangju City

The 'Micro Medical Robot Development Support Center,' which will strengthen the foundation for the commercialization of medical robots in the Gwangju region and lead the future-oriented medical industry, has opened in Gwangju.

On the 26th, Gwangju City held the completion ceremony for the 'Micro Medical Robot Development Support Center' at the Gwangju Advanced Science National Industrial Complex in Buk-gu. The event was attended by Mayor Kang Kijeong, National Assembly Vice Speaker Lee Hakyoung, Gwangju City Council members Chae Eunji, Lee Myeongno, and Seo Imseok, Jeong Sin, Director of Chonnam National University Hospital, Ji Byeongmun, Chairman of the Korea Micro Medical Robot Research Institute, Kim Dongjin, President of Gwangju National University, Kim Youngjip, President of Gwangju Technopark, Lee Samyong, Director of Gwangju Veterans Hospital, and other key figures.

The completion ceremony was organized by the Korea Micro Medical Robot Research Institute and was held to announce the full-scale operation of the center, following the completion of construction, equipment installation, and company move-ins.

The 'Micro Medical Robot Development Support Center' was established with a total project cost of 32 billion won (19 billion won from the national government, 8 billion won from the city, and 5 billion won from private investment). The center has a total floor area of 6,163 square meters, with one basement floor and two above-ground floors, providing research and experimental space. It is equipped with over 100 advanced devices necessary for clinical research and prototype production, enabling support for the entire cycle from research and development to commercialization.

Currently, five companies, including CGBio, have moved in, and additional companies are in the process of being recruited. The building and equipment are owned by Gwangju City, while the Korea Micro Medical Robot Research Institute is responsible for operation and management, ensuring both public interest and expertise.

In particular, the center is equipped with clinical GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) facilities to support the production of medical robot prototypes and the evaluation of their efficacy and safety, facilitating the rapid commercialization of research outcomes. In addition, through industry-academia-research-hospital collaboration platforms and programs for startup incubation and business support, the center will help foster the local medical industry ecosystem and support corporate growth.

Gwangju Mayor Kang Kijeong attended the completion ceremony of the 'Micro Medical Robot Development Support Center' built within the Gwangju Advanced Science National Industrial Complex in Buk-gu on the 26th, and observed the demonstration of the exhibited active capsule endoscopy robot. Photo by Gwangju City

The Korea Micro Medical Robot Research Institute, which is in charge of operating and managing the center, has developed the world's first colonoscopy robot, micro robots for vascular treatment, active capsule endoscopy, and stem cell-based medical micro robots. To date, it has filed 357 patent applications and holds 250 registered patents, making it a globally recognized institution.

Director Park Jongoh stated, "With the center now operational, we have established a system that enables both research and development and business support simultaneously. We will do our utmost to help Gwangju become the global hub for micro medical robots."

Mayor Kang Kijeong said, "The center is the result of joint investment from the national government, the city, and private resources. We expect it will make a significant contribution not only to the commercialization and business development of local companies in the medical industry but also to job creation for young people and revitalization of the local economy."

Mayor Kang further emphasized, "On the 22nd, the preliminary feasibility study exemption for the second phase of AI, the 'Artificial Intelligence Transformation (AX) Demonstration Valley' project, was finally confirmed. We will accelerate the development of future strategic industries in connection with the AI convergence complex."

Meanwhile, the city plans to use the completion of the Micro Medical Robot Development Support Center as an opportunity to strengthen the foundation for the commercialization of medical robots and to expand the industry-academia-research-hospital cooperation system, thereby leading the future-oriented medical industry.

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