The manufacturing technology for a 'transistor-based non-enzymatic microneedle glucose sensor' developed by the team of Chair Professor Han Yun-bong (Division of Chemical Engineering) has been transferred to a company along with two patents, and commercialization is being pursued.

Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) Industry-University Cooperation (Vice-President Jo Ki-hwan) announced on the 20th that it has signed a technology transfer agreement with Jeil Technology Co., Ltd. (CEO Park Jae-il) for a high-performance biosensor for continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGMS).

The two organizations held an official signing ceremony on the 17th at 2:00 p.m., attended by Vice-President Jo Ki-hwan, the technology developer Professor Han Yun-bong, and Jeil Technology CEO Park Jae-il, among others.

As of 2018, there were 5 million people with diabetes domestically, and including those in the prediabetic stage the number reaches about 10 million. Diabetes ranks sixth among causes of death in Korea. Patients with diabetes can lose consciousness or die from hypoglycemia, and because of the risk of complications from diabetes, blood glucose management is essential.

Continuous glucose monitoring systems are required for blood glucose management. These systems are entirely imported and are expensive, which places a significant economic burden on patients. The core component of CGMS is an enzyme-based glucose sensor that relies on glucose oxidase. However, enzyme-based sensors suffer from enzyme denaturation, which causes sensor response and sensitivity to decline gradually, making long-term use difficult and reducing accuracy for real-time monitoring. They are also costly to manufacture.

Professor Han's team has overcome all of these drawbacks. They developed a core technology to economically manufacture FET-based microneedle glucose sensors that do not use enzymes and that offer excellent response time, selectivity, stability, and durability.

The developed glucose sensor can extend CGMS lifetime to more than 20 days. It is expected to reduce the pain and economic cost for patients who currently need sensor replacement within 10 days, thereby expanding demand.

Jeil Technology Co., Ltd., which received the technology transfer, has manufactured real-time automatic HACCP management systems since 2005 and has received strong responses in the field of food safety. The company is applying its accumulated know-how in combined software and hardware solutions to the healthcare field and is pursuing the development of Cloud/Edge-based AI medical devices.

Park Jae-il, CEO of Jeil Technology Co., Ltd., said, "By applying JBNU's FET-based non-enzymatic glucose sensor technology to CGMS, we will provide low-cost medical support to low-income populations domestically and internationally to save lives and prevent serious complications. Furthermore, we will continuously improve, refine, and innovate so that the product becomes a world-class item, and we pledge to deliver accurate, convenient, robust products and customer-pleasing services."

Under the contract, the two organizations agreed to establish an integrated operational cooperation system in addition to collaborating on continuous glucose monitoring devices.

They also agreed to share information for additional commercialization beyond the products currently under development, to establish a consultative body, and to pursue various collaborative projects through the operation of joint research groups.

Jo Ki-hwan, Vice-President of Industry-University Cooperation at JBNU, said, "This technology transfer agreement is not merely a technology transfer outcome that combines corporate demand for new technology development with the university's outstanding technology. Through future joint development we plan to localize glucose measurement sensors and to release a range of healthcare-convergent IT devices. This is a representative case of a virtuous cycle model of industry–university cooperation and is expected to play a leading role in the healthcare device market."