The ‘Leukemia High-Precision BioResearch Group (Tentative Name),’ a collaboration established in February 2022 between UNIST and Uijeongbu Eulji Medical Center, organized a seminar on the latest advancements in blood cancer diagnosis and treatment technology. The seminar, held at UNIST on October 27, 2023, aimed to bring together universities, hospitals, companies, and research institutes associated with the research group to share knowledge and explore new avenues for next-generation blood cancer research.
Vice President Jaiyong Lee of UNIST expressed his enthusiasm for the seminar in his welcoming speech, stating, “This year’s academic seminar serves as a platform for the exchange of various topics, generating more interest than the previous year. We hope that the knowledge shared through this seminar will contribute to the advancement of key technologies in blood cancer treatment.”
The seminar focused on digital medical technologies, including big data and artificial intelligence (AI). Distinguished speakers from various organizations delivered presentations on cutting-edge topics. Professor Dong Wook Kim from Uijeongbu Eulji Medical Center, Manager Jung Yong Lee from SK Telecom, and Dr. Chan Hee Park from Teragen Bio’s headquarters, delivered presentations on “Blood Cancer Big Data Platform and Artificial Intelligence Development,” “Big Data and Database,” and “Cloud Environment-based Omics Data Analysis Platform,” respectively.
Additionally, precision diagnosis based on genomic data and targeted anticancer drug treatment technologies were unveiled during the event. CEO Do Young Lee at Optorain Technology Inc., CEO Sung-Min Ahn of ImmunoForge Inc., and Director Sung Hee Han of GC Labs Foundation, unveiled precision diagnosis based on genomic data and targeted anticancer drug treatment technologies. Their presentations covered themes such as “Ultra-Precise Diagnostic Method: Digital PCR,” “Development of Preclinical New Drugs for Blood Cancer Targeting Anti-cancer Drugs,” and “Blood Cancer Testing and Precision Diagnosis,” respectively.
Professor Changwook Lee in the Department of Biological Sciences at UNIST discussed the crucial role of basic research in the biomedical industry, emphasizing the significance of “Bio Basic Research.”
The seminar witnessed the participation of 15 organizations, including UNIST, Uijeongbu Eulji Medical Center, Dong-a University Hospital, Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Ilyang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Novartis Korea Ltd., GC Labs Foundation, SK Telecom, BMS Pharmaceutical Korea Ltd., Optorain Technology Inc., ImmunoForge Inc., Teragen Bio Co., Ltd., Pharos iBio Co., Ltd., Korea Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Seoul CRO Co., Ltd., and Korea Medicare Co., Ltd.
Hyo Dae Ahn, Deputy Mayor for Economic Affairs of Ulsan Metropolitan City, highlighted the city’s contribution to the precision medical industry, emphasizing initiatives like the groundbreaking ‘10,000 Ulsan Genome Project’ and expressed hope that the genome data and analysis know-how would prove valuable in the development of leukemia treatments pursued by the research team.
Under the leadership of Professor Hongtae Kim from UNIST Leukemia Center and Professor Dong Wook Kim from Uijeongbu Eulji Medical Center, the group has achieved significant milestones in precision medical care. These include the discovery of genes associated with the rapid progression of chronic myelogenous leukemia and the identification of gene functions related to targeted anticancer drug resistance. The group is dedicated to leading the emergence of numerous global bio companies in the field of blood cancer. Aside from that the group has also supported the commercialization of their technologies.
Professor Dong Wook Kim expressed his determination, saying, “We are committed to leading the emergence of numerous global bio companies in the field of blood cancer.”
