POSTECH, known for its world-class research in life science, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Dong-A Pharmaceutical, one of the largest and most dominating pharmaceutical companies in Korea.
With this MOU, the two organizations are to closely work for novel medicine development, by exchanging and fostering human resources, and common utilization of research facilities and equipment. The agreement was signed on Mar. 3 at POSTECH.
In particular, Dong-A Pharmaceutical decided to push ahead with plans for joint-research on diagnostics and medicine with NSB POSTECH, POSTECH’s first university company of professional diagnostic instruments, and with Aptamer Initiative, in order to develop biosynthetic-material aptamers for disease diagnosis. Also, the company plans on collaborative therapeutic stem cell research for terminal illnesses with Prof. Young Chul Sung’s lab from the Department of Life Science and making biosimilar antibodies with Genexine, POSTECH’s bio-venture.
This academic-industry cooperation is based on 20 years of combined research between POSTECH and Dong-A Pharmaceutical since 1991.
President Baik said, “The joining of our excellent researchers and Korea’s biggest pharmaceutical company will hopefully put us onto an advantageous position in the fiercely competitive diagnosis and drug development market. We will work together for developing high economic-valued products.”
This MOU signing is expected to “lay a strong foundation for the advancement of Korea’s biotechnology,” as an official of Dong-A Pharm said.
