The "Animal Healthcare Industry Cluster" being developed in Iksan, Jeonbuk is entering a new phase. Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) has entered into discussions and signed a memorandum of understanding with the Korea Animal Drug Evaluation Research Institute, JBNU Regional Development Research Institute, and 12 animal healthcare companies to undertake comprehensive cooperation in technology development, commercialization, and workforce training. Observers note it is unusual for a regional university, local governments, and companies to come together so broadly to discuss the industrial foundation.

The meeting, held at the Korea Animal Drug Evaluation Research Institute at 10:00 AM on the 25th, was attended by many companies in animal pharmaceuticals, medical devices, recombinant proteins, and pet food, including Istech Bio Co., Ltd., Jooyoung Bio, K-Pharms, Woojin B&G, and JinCell Biotech.

They shared practical difficulties faced by the industry, such as clinical and regulatory approval procedures, a shortage of specialized personnel, and challenges in establishing a local presence. In particular, there was a consensus that the role of universities and research institutes is critical for Iksan to establish itself as an "Animal Healthcare Specialization City."

JBNU and the Korea Animal Drug Evaluation Research Institute proposed specific cooperation measures, including joint technology development and startup support, promotion of technology transfer and commercialization, training of specialized personnel, and regulatory rationalization and policy development. The proposal clarified a university- and research-institute-centered vision for operating the cluster.

Although Iksan has long been a region with a concentration of animal pharmaceutical companies, it has been criticized for lacking a systematic research and workforce foundation. The fact that educational, administrative, and research institutions have begun to move together has raised expectations that "the region's industrial structure could change."

Seungmun Park, CEO of Istech Bio Co., Ltd., said, "If universities can work with companies to resolve regulatory approval and specialized personnel issues that companies alone have struggled to solve, Iksan has a strong possibility of becoming a national center for animal healthcare."

Yang O-bong, President of JBNU, said, "As a regional hub university, it is only natural to listen directly to companies and present support measures," adding, "We will actively work to ensure the cluster takes root as a regional industry through research infrastructure and talent development."

After the meeting, the "Iksan Animal Healthcare Research Institute" held a plaque-signing ceremony and officially launched. The institute will work with the Evaluation Research Institute and the JBNU Regional Development Research Institute to plan cluster infrastructure, identify national R&D programs, and develop strategies to support companies.

Park Cheol, a professor at JBNU's College of Veterinary Medicine who was appointed as the inaugural director, stated, "The institute will serve as the control tower for industrial policy design and R&D strategy." 

Meanwhile, JBNU plans to use this agreement as an opportunity to concretize an animal healthcare-focused talent development model linked to the Glocal University 30 Project, and to strengthen support systems for settling relocated companies as well as startup and R&D support.