Claims were raised that advancing the mechano‑bio medical industry requires investment in translational research and a center that can serve as a hub for collaboration among various research institutions.

Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) and the Office of Rep. Kim Seong‑ju of the National Assembly held a strategy seminar on the 27th in Seminar Room 1 of the National Assembly Members' Office Building titled "Strategies to Revitalize the Mechano‑Bio Innovative Medical Device Industry Using Interventional Medical Technology." At the seminar, Professor Chan‑hee Park of JBNU made the following remarks in a presentation mainly on "Development Measures for the Mechano‑Bio Innovative Medical Device Industry in Jeollabuk‑do."

Currently, Jeollabuk‑do has designated the mechano‑bio innovative medical device industry as a core priority, and JBNU is operating the "Interventional Mechano‑Bio Technology Convergence Research Center" through the 2019 Regional Industry Hub Support Project.

Professor Park said, "A defining characteristic of the mechano‑bio innovative medical device industry is the necessity of institutions that can validate and evaluate developed products before their use in clinical settings. Currently, the absence of established guidelines makes inter‑institutional collaborative research in regulatory science essential. Because the mechano‑bio medical industry requires multidisciplinary convergence—such as design, processing technologies, surface treatment, and synthesis techniques—a center is needed in Jeonbuk to enable collaboration among the many research institutions in the region."

At the same time, Professor Yoon‑sun Song of the Department of Radiology at Asan Medical Center pointed out from the user perspective that global products are widely used because of their high reliability and quality, and stressed the need to improve the quality of domestically produced products.

Next, Yu Hyun‑seung, CEO of SiG Bio Co., Ltd., which is developing domestically produced stents, cited a case in which product performance evaluations that previously took a long time were shortened after the establishment of the JBNU Interventional Mechano‑Bio Technology Convergence Research Center. He suggested that government resource support greatly aids domestic production of products.

In addition, Kim Woo‑jin, Director of the Biomedical Center at the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, emphasized that next‑generation interventional medical device development—such as device attachment for intravascular monitoring—is a current trend, and stressed the need for collaboration with research institutions and investment to support companies.

In particular, Im A‑ram, Team Leader of the Health Industry Promotion Division at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, who participated as an assigned discussant, said, "We are internally reviewing and working on directions to ease regulations," and added, "We are planning demonstration centers for medical devices, and are considering promotion of demonstrations and support for various diseases, as well as linkages among medical institutions and research organizations." His remarks suggest a positive outlook for support of the mechano‑bio innovative medical device industry.

Kim Hak‑yong, Director of the Interventional Mechano‑Bio Technology Convergence Research Center, said, "It is highly meaningful that a forum bringing together universities, companies, government ministries, and the political sphere has been established to advance the innovative medical device industry based on this technology, which is emerging as a high‑value sector in the Fourth Industrial Revolution era." He added, "Based on our center, we will strive to position Jeonbuk at the forefront of the mechano‑bio innovative medical device sector and to lead the broader bio‑health industry."

Meanwhile, "interventional mechano‑bio technology" is an advanced technology that integrates interventional medical techniques—which minimize incisions during surgery—with mechano‑bio active materials. These next‑generation responsive materials react to mechanical signals such as electrical stimulus, magnetic fields, near‑infrared, and acoustic emission to perform preprogrammed functions like tissue regeneration and cancer therapy. This innovative technology can be applied to next‑generation medical devices for remote diagnosis, monitoring, treatment, and minimally invasive procedures.