Samsung Biologics announced on the 19th that it has signed a co-donation agreement with the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Seoul National University and the College of Pharmacy at Yonsei University.
Previously, Samsung Biologics agreed to donate unused cell culture media that were generated during the contract manufacturing organization (CMO) process with its client, British AstraZeneca (AZ), to domestic institutions. Cell culture media are essential biotech materials that supply nutrients needed for cell culture. Following this, the company decided to donate a total of 1,090 kg of raw materials to Seoul National University and Yonsei University after investigating academic demand for cell culture media. This amounts to approximately 665 million won.
Samsung Biologics plans to take the lead in revitalizing the domestic biotech ecosystem through support for bio materials, components, and equipment, as well as talent development. To this end, the company is establishing a co-prosperity center this year to actively seek opportunities for communication and collaboration.
Kim Dong-jung, head of the Samsung Biologics co-prosperity center, noted, "Supporting the free research activities of universities is a way for the Samsung Biologics co-prosperity center to contribute to collaboration with universities," and added, "We will continually seek ways to assist university research activities and strive to strengthen industry-academia collaboration."
Jang Pan-sik, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Seoul National University, said, "I believe this agreement will serve as a crucial stepping stone for important exchanges in the development of the biotech industry, and I expect it to contribute significantly to nurturing integrated future talents." Kim Ik-yeon, dean of the College of Pharmacy at Yonsei University, also stated, "I am grateful to Samsung Biologics for providing significant support for our university's research in the biotech field, and I will work harder for the development of the domestic biotech industry and the local community."