Jeongeup City Selected as Candidate for "Next-Generation Veterinary Pharmaceuticals Regulatory Free Zone"

"Leading the Development of New Veterinary Pharmaceuticals"

Jeongeup City in North Jeolla Province announced on November 14 that it has been selected as a candidate for the 11th government regulatory free zone in the "next-generation veterinary pharmaceuticals" sector.

With this selection, the city has laid the groundwork to become a national core region leading the development of new veterinary pharmaceuticals, centering on the Advanced Science General Industrial Complex.

The regulatory free zone system, introduced in 2019, is a policy that relaxes regulations in non-metropolitan areas to promote new industries based on advanced technologies. Once designated as a special zone, the area receives priority government support, including demonstration exemptions, expedited regulatory confirmation, temporary permits, financial support, and tax benefits.

The city has been committed to developing veterinary pharmaceuticals. Starting with the establishment of the "Jeongeup City Companion Animal Industry Promotion Basic Plan" in 2023, it has strengthened its capabilities, focusing on the National Institute of Toxicological Research Jeonbuk Branch.

Through the 24 billion won "Companion Animal Pharmaceutical Development and Commercialization Platform Establishment" project and the 5.4 billion won "Development of Bio-Agricultural Materials for Veterinary Pharmaceuticals and Functional Feeds" project, the city has built a foundation for new drug development, including material discovery and non-clinical studies.

This year, Jeongeup City was also selected for the "Advanced Bio Boost-Up Platform Establishment Project," a strategic technology regional innovation engine project by the Ministry of Science and ICT, further strengthening R&D support for research institutes and companies, and cementing its status as an optimal location for new veterinary pharmaceutical development.

After final consultations, including regulatory confirmations by relevant ministries, if designated as a special zone in the first half of next year, the city plans to invest 45 billion won in a 180.16㎢ area centered on the Advanced Science General Industrial Complex.

From 2027 to 2030, Jeongeup City will undertake major demonstration projects such as validating guidelines for new drug efficacy and safety evaluation, expanding demonstration of all items for autogenous vaccines, verifying the feasibility of designating cats as laboratory animals, and verifying exemption from duplicate testing between pharmaceuticals and veterinary pharmaceuticals. Through these efforts, the city aims to drive regulatory innovation in new veterinary pharmaceutical development. This is expected to create a more dynamic environment for companies seeking to apply new technologies in the veterinary pharmaceutical sector.

Mayor Lee Haksoo stated, "This achievement is the result of Jeongeup City's persistent accumulation of research capabilities in veterinary pharmaceuticals and the establishment of a network among academia, industry, and research institutes." He added, "Through final designation as a special zone, we will become a true national hub, driving tangible growth such as job creation through business activities and revitalizing the local economy."

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