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KIST Europe Establishes New Model for Global R&DB Collaboration (2016.08.26)
- Date : 2016-11-09
- Views : 5327
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KIST Europe Establishes New Model for Global R&DB Collaboration
- Korea and Germany develop medicine dispenser in compliance with EU regulations -
- Ground-breaking licensing contract for export to Asia -
The Korea Institute of Science and Technology Europe (KIST Europe) developed a new medicine dispenser/container in collaboration with German pharmaceutical company Ursapharm, Nexpharm Korea and Hana Pro Tech, and entered into a licensing contract on August 26 regarding sales in the Asian market.
Usapharm developed the world’s first preservative-free eye drop container in 1993. It is the market leader in preservative-free eye drops and nasal sprays, with 220 billion KRW in sales in 70 countries around the world.
KIST Europe and Usapharm created an onsite lab at the Korea-EU Collaboration Office and jointly conducted research throughout the project’s lifecycle: idea conception, product development, product production, and technology transfer. The prototype was manufactured by Hana Pro Tech, which possesses precision mold-forming technology and pump manufacturing expertise. Performance improvements and a mass production system were established. The result of this 3-way international joint research project was that KIST Europe developed a new medicine dispenser/container that keeps out bacteria and eumycetes and allows multiple doses of high-viscosity medicine. The new container prevents the medicine from contacting the metal, and it administers the precise dosages. KIST Europe and Usapharm registered 5 joint patents for this product in 12 nations. KIST Europe is slated to receive royalties from Usapharm over the next 15 years.
Through the licensing contract with Korean pharmaceutical company Nexpharm Korea, Usapharm plans to sell and market the product in the Asian region. Hana Pro Tech is responsible for enabling small and medium sized domestic companies to produce and export the product for the first time in Korea, while remaining compliant with EU regulations.
Microfluidics Group leader Kim Jeong-tae from KIST Europe said, “Through this joint research project between Korea and Germany, a new product was developed, a Korean SME produced and exported the new product, and a domestic pharmaceutical advanced into the global market through patent licensing. This is a good model for international R&DB collaboration. As a part of KIST Europe, I take pride in the results of our project.”
In addition, KIST Europe is continuously expanding research projects to support domestic small and medium sized enterprises by dealing with EU REACH regulations, aiding with entry into the European market, and providing training programs and seminars for companies.
KIST Europe Director Kuiwon Choi said, “KIST Europe is open to research institutes and companies exploring ways of entering the European market. KIST Europe will exert every effort to encourage technological collaboration and the identifying of mutual business opportunities between Korean companies and the EU.”
The new technology is a benchmark product in various areas, not just the pharmaceutical field but the food and cosmetics fields as well. It is expected to create a new market in the EU and other regions of the world.