Korea's first comprehensive support facility for microbiome research and production has opened in Asan, South Chungcheong.
On the 24th, according to South Chungcheong Province, the "Microbiome Pharmaceutical Commercialization Center" held an opening ceremony that day at the "Cheonan-Asan KTX station-area research and development (R&D) cluster district" in Baebang-eup, Asan, with more than 300 people in attendance, including Vice Gov. Jeon Hyeong-sik of South Chungcheong Province.
The microbiome collectively refers to various microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses that live in the human body. It is drawing attention as a next-generation core research field, reported to be linked not only to diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and allergies, but also to mental health.
A total of 26 billion won has been invested in the Microbiome Center since 2022. The center sits on a 3,519㎡ site with a total floor area of 4,950㎡, and two buildings have been constructed, including a process development building and a laboratory animal building.
The Microbiome Center will comprehensively support pharmaceuticals research, production, clinical trials, and commercialization for corporations and research institutions. The center is operated by the Soonchunhyang University Industry-University Cooperation Foundation. It currently has a staff of 38, including Ph.D.-level researchers.
South Chungcheong Province will additionally proceed within the year with the construction of the Microbiome Process Development Innovation Center. It will then build the Center for Supporting Overseas Expansion of Bio and Medical Devices next year, and plans to open these two centers, respectively, next year in the Cheonan-Asan research and development cluster district.
Vice Gov. Jeon Hyeong-sik said, "Bio medical devices, the sleep industry, and dormant microbiomes are the 'three pillars' of South Chungcheong's biohealthcare industry," adding, "This year, we will also start construction of the Microbiome Process Development Innovation Center to complete the ecosystem puzzle of the biohealth industry, and next year we will open the Center for Supporting Overseas Expansion of Bio and Medical Devices to actively back market expansion."