Cooperation agreement sealed with KoreaBIO in Boston
During the BIO International Convention in Boston, Health Campus Limburg signed a cooperation agreement with KoreaBIO, the network organization for the South Korean biotech industry. After Osaka Bio Headquarters, this is the second international partnership for the new campus, which is being developed by POM Limburg and UHasselt.
Network organization Korea Biotechnology Industry Organization (KoreaBIO) counts today more than five hundred members from the South Korean biotech and pharma industry. The organization aims to create a sustainable ecosystem for Korea’s bioindustry and to this end, encourages international collaborations, investment relations and technological partnerships.
Hotbed of innovation
With the Health Campus, POM Limburg and UHasselt have the ambition to create a new hotbed for innovation in healthcare. In Flanders and beyond. To strengthen its ecosystem, the campus is now partnering with network organization KoreaBIO. Deputy for Economy and Chairman of POM Limburg Tom Vandeput: “We are strengthening our international portfolio. With the aim to innovate, the cooperation with KoreaBIO mainly aims at international knowledge exchange. But it is also a gateway, a portal that promotes access for Korean companies from the life sciences economy to our market, and vice versa.”
Overseas networks
Today, the biotech and pharma industry is one of the biggest drivers of economic growth in South Korea. To further access the international market, KoreaBIO is looking for overseas networks. President of KoreaBIO Christopher Hansung Ko: “We are conducting a global expansion program called Global Mingle. By signing this MOU with Health Campus Limburg, we aim to facilitate the entry of Korean biotech companies into the Belgian market and stimulate cooperation between biotech businesses from both countries.”
Royal mission
With KoreaBIO, the tally now stands at two international collaborations that strengthen the Health Campus ecosystem. During the Royal mission last December, the campus already established a cooperation with the Japanese life science networking organization Osaka Bio Headquarters. Kris Motmans, Chief Business Officer at InnoSer: “As a member of the Health Campus Limburg, we are excited about this cooperation agreement and the possibility to have a direct line to the Korean life sciences ecosystem. InnoSer has been exploring the possibility of expanding its preclinical research service activities in the Asian pacific region and identified South Korea as the preferred location for setting up a regional hub. We are convinced that this agreement will also create opportunities for other Health Campus residents.”
Life sciences industry
POM Limburg’s Welcome Management team is establishing new contacts in the international life sciences industry together with the Flemish network organization flanders.bio. “It is of utmost importance to further boost collaboration with fellow health clusters in Flanders, Belgium and abroad. Our partnership with Health Campus Limburg in Flanders, and our support to their MOU with KoreaBIO is a testimony of that vision,” says CEO of flanders.bio Wouter Piepers.
