The networking organization Korea Biotechnology Industry Organization (KoreaBIO) currently boasts over five hundred members from the South Korean biotech and pharmaceutical sector. The organization aims to create a sustainable ecosystem for the Korean bio-industry and promotes international collaborations, investment relations, and technological partnerships to achieve this.

BEACON LOCATION
With the Health Campus, POM Limburg and UHasselt aspire to create a new beacon location for healthcare innovation, both in Flanders and beyond. To strengthen its ecosystem, the campus is now entering into a partnership with the networking organization KoreaBIO. Deputy for Economy and chairman of POM Limburg Tom Vandeput states, “We are further expanding our international portfolio. The collaboration with KoreaBIO aims primarily at international knowledge exchange for innovation. But it also serves as a gateway, facilitating access for Korean companies from the life sciences economy to our market, and vice versa.”

OVERSEAS NETWORKS
The biotechnology and pharmaceutical sector today serves as one of the major drivers of economic growth in South Korea. To further tap into the international market, KoreaBIO is seeking overseas networks. KoreaBIO’s CEO Christopher Hansung Ko comments, “KoreaBIO is currently executing an international expansion program called Global Mingle. Through the signing of this partnership agreement with Health Campus Limburg, we aim to facilitate the entry of Korean biotech companies into the Belgian market and stimulate collaboration between biotech firms from both countries.”

ROYAL MISSION
With KoreaBIO, the count now stands at two international collaborations strengthening the ecosystem at the Health Campus. During the royal mission last December, the campus already forged a partnership with the Japanese bio-scientific networking organization Osaka Bio Headquarters. InnoSer’s CEO Kris Motmans expresses, “As a member of Health Campus Limburg, we are pleased with the partnership agreement with KoreaBIO and the direct line it establishes with the Korean life sciences ecosystem. InnoSer has been exploring the possibility of expanding its preclinical research activities in the Asia-Pacific region for some time, and South Korea was selected as the preferred location. But this agreement will also create opportunities for other residents of the Health Campus.”

LIFESCIENCES INDUSTRY
The Welkommanagement team of POM Limburg, together with the Flemish networking organization flanders.bio, is forging new connections in the international life sciences industry. “It is of utmost importance to further strengthen collaboration with fellow health clusters in Flanders, Belgium, and abroad. Our collaboration with Health Campus Limburg in Flanders, and our support for their MOU with KoreaBIO, reflects that vision,” says flanders.bio’s CEO Wouter Piepers.