PR Center(News)

[Press Release] PCMO Launches Research Institute to Boost R&D Competitiveness

- Transition to Advanced Research Institute framework to enhance R&D capabilities- Follow-up measure following designation as a National Strategic Technology Specialized Institute▲ mRNA manufacturing facilityThe Practical Commercialization Support Team, PCMO's research and development organization, has been expanded and reorganized into the 'Research Institute' this June, with full-scale operations now underway.The launch of the Research Institute is a follow-up measure to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's designation of PCMO as a 'National Strategic Technology Specialized Institute (Infectious Disease Sector)' last year. Through this organizational restructuring, PCMO plans to further advance its biopharmaceutical R&D functions and expand its related capabilities.The government has recently been focusing on creating an environment that enables the rapid development of vaccines and therapeutics in preparation for novel infectious diseases such as COVID-19. In particular, it has committed to supporting the development of relevant technologies with the goal of domestically producing mRNA vaccines by 2028. The plan involves developing and stockpiling vaccine prototypes during normal times, so that large-scale vaccination can be carried out swiftly when an infectious disease outbreak occurs.In line with this policy direction, PCMO has further strengthened its biopharmaceutical process development and commercialization support functions, centering on the Research Institute. To support the development of mRNA vaccines and therapeutics — areas of growing importance — PCMO has advanced its related technologies and reorganized its support framework to ensure that research outcomes can progress through to clinical and commercialization stages.In addition, PCMO has recently established an mRNA manufacturing facility, putting in place the infrastructure needed for next-generation vaccine and therapeutic development. This enables PCMO to handle the full-cycle manufacturing process, from drug substance production including pDNA manufacturing to finished pharmaceutical product manufacturing. By supporting the production of clinical trial samples and process validation, PCMO is expected to contribute to shortening the development timeline through to the commercial launch of biopharmaceuticals.Going forward, PCMO plans to continue pursuing research in next-generation vaccines and biopharmaceuticals, centering on the Research Institute. It also aims to establish a research environment capable of responding flexibly to future infectious diseases and evolving biotechnology trends.

[Press Release] PCMO Participates in BIO KOREA 2026… “mRNA Manufacturing Facility Ready for Operatio

- PCMO Operates Exhibition Booth at BIO KOREA 2026- Preparing for Full Operation of mRNA Manufacturing Facility… Promoting Production InfrastructurePCMO announced that it participated in BIO KOREA 2026, held from April 28 to 30, where it showcased its mRNA-based biopharmaceutical manufacturing infrastructure and CDMO capabilities.At the exhibition, PCMO introduced its mRNA drug manufacturing support system and GMP-based production infrastructure through an independent exhibition booth. In particular, the center highlighted its end-to-end CDMO services covering the entire manufacturing process, from Drug Substance (DS) to Drug Product (DP).PCMO also presented the current status of its mRNA manufacturing facility, which is scheduled to begin full-scale operation in July this year. The center noted that major equipment installation and basic operational preparations have already been completed, and introduced its capability to manufacture and supply pDNA, the starting material for mRNA production.The newly established mRNA manufacturing facility at PCMO is designed to support both pre-filled syringe (PFS) and vial production. The facility is expected to provide an integrated manufacturing system covering mRNA synthesis, delivery system production, and final drug product manufacturing. Through this infrastructure, PCMO aims to support domestic and international companies across a broad range of stages, from early biopharmaceutical development to clinical and commercial production.During the exhibition period, the PCMO booth hosted visits and business meetings with representatives from domestic and international pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Various opportunities for collaboration were discussed, including mRNA biopharmaceutical manufacturing partnerships and biopharmaceutical process development support.Jin-Young Song, Head of External Relations Team at PCMO, stated, “Through our participation in BIO KOREA 2026, we were able to introduce PCMO’s mRNA production infrastructure and GMP-based manufacturing capabilities. Moving forward, we will continue to gradually expand our process development support services for domestic and international companies, while strengthening our expertise in quality testing and stability studies for biopharmaceutical production.”

[Press Release] PCMO Signs MOU with Jeonnam Technical Science High School

- Practical training to foster skilled professionals ready for immediate deployment in biopharmaceutical manufacturingPCMO (President: Min Cho), located in Hwasun, Jeollanam-do, announced that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Jeonnam Technical Science High School on April 23 to nurture talent for the regional bio industry.This agreement is designed as an industry-academia collaboration model to cultivate professionals equipped with practical competencies required in the field at an early stage and to establish a sustainable growth foundation for the Jeonnam bio industry. In particular, the partnership focuses on linking systematic education and hands-on training from the high school level to develop a workforce that can be immediately deployed in production environments.Key areas of cooperation include: ▲joint development and operation of customized curricula ▲implementation of industry internships and field training programs ▲development of programs to enhance expertise and job competencies for students and faculty ▲sharing of facilities, equipment, and expert advisory resources ▲joint identification of research projects and collaborative problem-solving ▲strengthening regional connectivity through industry-academia cooperation activities.PCMO plans to utilize its GMP training facility to provide students with hands-on experience in core technologies required in real industrial settings, including microbial cultivation, purification, and quality control. Through this initiative, the Center aims to systematically cultivate practice-oriented talent that aligns with industry demand, particularly in biopharmaceutical manufacturing rolesJeonnam Technical Science High School will reinforce its industry demand-driven curriculum and support early career pathway design to enhance students’ employability. Additionally, the school aims to establish a stable workforce supply system by expanding partnerships with regional bio companies.Meanwhile, PCMO will continue to expand collaboration with educational institutions in the region to nurture industry-ready talent from an early stage, thereby contributing to the sustainable growth and enhanced competitiveness of the Gwangju-Jeonnam bio industry.

[Press Release] PCMO Participates in KOREA PHARM & BIO 2026, Showcasing CDMO Capabilities

- Joint promotional pavilion with key institutions in the Hwasun Vaccine Industry Special Zone- PCMO, Focus on promoting CDMO services▲ PCMO BuildingPCMO announced that it will participate in the 16th International Pharmaceutical & Bio Industry Exhibition (KOREA PHARM & BIO 2026), to be held at KINTEX in Ilsan from March 31 to April 1.At this exhibition, five organizations within the Hwasun Vaccine Industry Special Zone—including Hwasun County, Jeonnam Bioindustry Foundation, Vaccine Safety Technology Support Center, and Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital—will jointly operate a promotional pavilion. Through this collaboration, the participating institutions aim to showcase the overall R&D capabilities of the special zone to a global audience.▲ Exhibition Booth ImageAt the event, PCMO will highlight its public CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization) services, supported by globally competitive GMP manufacturing facilities. In particular, PCMO will actively present its differentiated capabilities and business strengths, including process development, clinical material production, biopharmaceutical commercialization support, and bio workforce training programs.PCMO’s infrastructure within the Hwasun Vaccine Industry Special Zone continues to advance. The center is preparing for the full-scale operation of its mRNA manufacturing facility in July this year. In addition to its existing vial filling capabilities, PCMO will establish a pre-filled syringe production line, enabling end-to-end process support—from mRNA synthesis, modification, and delivery system manufacturing to final drug product production.Jinyoung Song, Team manager of External Relations at PCMO, stated, “This exhibition provides a valuable opportunity to expand practical networks with domestic and international pharmaceutical and bio companies.” He added, “By leveraging the industrial infrastructure of the Hwasun Vaccine Industry Special Zone and PCMO’s technological capabilities, we aim to identify new research opportunities and further strengthen partnerships with related institutions.”Meanwhile, the 16th KOREA PHARM & BIO 2026, co-located with KOREA PACK & ICPI WEEK 2026, is the largest pharmaceutical and bio industry exhibition in Korea, offering insights into the latest market trends and technological advancements.

[Press Release] 9th Anniversary of Foundation, PCMO Expands from Public CDMO to mRNA Capabilities

- A total of 172 cumulative projects completed… tangible outcomes achieved, including workforce development programs- mRNA manufacturing facility to begin operations in July this year, strengthening global CDMO capabilities▲ PCMO Center viewPCMO in Hwasun, Jeollanam-do, marked its 9th anniversary of foundation on January 25, 2026, and announced its future operational direction for supporting the biopharmaceutical industry, reflecting on the business achievements it has accumulated as a public CDMO institution.Since its establishment in 2017, PCMO has provided end-to-end CDMO services covering the entire development lifecycle, from early-stage vaccine and biopharmaceutical development to process establishment and raw material production. The center supports small and venture companies with limited R&D infrastructure by offering pilot-scale manufacturing and process development services. Through these efforts, PCMO has lowered entry barriers in the early stages of domestic biopharmaceutical development and contributed to regional industrial growth in Hwasun County, Jeollanam-do.PCMO’s CDMO business performance has shown steady annual growth. In 2025 alone, the center conducted a total of 55 projects, representing an increase of 19 projects compared to the previous year and achieving a growth rate of approximately 53%. Since its establishment, the cumulative number of completed projects has reached 172, with cumulative results by application including 67 vaccine projects and 43 therapeutic projects, demonstrating achievements across diverse fields.In particular, among cumulative project types, Cell Bank (MCB, WCB) manufacturing projects stood out. Despite challenging conditions for early-stage biopharmaceutical companies due to reduced market investment and changes in the government support environment, the number of Cell Bank-related projects remained relatively stable. This indicates continued demand for PCMO’s CDMO services focused on process verification and foundational infrastructure development at the early stages of product development.Reflecting these business outcomes and changes in the industry environment, PCMO plans to move beyond short-term contract manufacturing support and strengthen its operational strategy to enable early-stage companies to pursue technology validation and process stabilization in a phased and systematic manner. The center aims to mitigate development risks for companies and provide structured support linking early development to commercialization. To further specify this strategy, PCMO plans to officially commence operation of its mRNA manufacturing facility in July this year.The newly established mRNA manufacturing facility at PCMO is a GMP-compliant facility capable of integrated production from drug substance to finished drug products. It will support the production of biopharmaceuticals in formats including 1 mL prefilled syringes and 2R and 6R vials. With full-process capabilities covering mRNA synthesis, modification, delivery system manufacturing, and finished drug production, the facility is expected to significantly strengthen the public CDMO infrastructure for mRNA vaccine and therapeutic development.Meanwhile, PCMO has also achieved tangible results in the area of specialized workforce development. At the education center completed last year, PCMO is providing GMP training programs for biopharmaceuticals to elementary, middle, and high school students, as well as university students across the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions. The programs emphasize hands-on training, allowing participants to directly experience all stages from cell culture and purification to quality control. As a result, approximately 75% of trainees who completed the program last year secured employment in the bio-industry sector.Building on its experience in pilot-based CDMO operations and workforce training programs, PCMO stated its goal of establishing itself as a globally competitive collaboration partner. Leveraging its advanced infrastructure and technical systems, the center plans to enhance its competitiveness and expand its role in supporting the growth and innovation of both domestic and international companies. To this end, PCMO will progressively expand its scope of process development support and further advance its expertise in testing services, including quality testing and cell line characterization analysis.

[Press Release] PCMO Launches Winter Break Biopharmaceutical Training Program for University Student

ーUtilizing the extended winter break period, the program is conducted sequentially through January according to each university’s academic scheduleーPractical biopharmaceutical industry training designed to match students’ academic level and career interests▲ Chromatography practical training sessionPCMO, located in Hwasun, Jeollanam-do, announced that it is operating an educational program during the winter break aimed at enhancing university students’ understanding of the vaccine and biopharmaceutical industry.The program targets students from three universities such as Chosun University, Mokpo National University, Sunchon National University and is conducted sequentially in alignment with each institution’s winter vacation schedule. Students from the Department of Biomedical Science at Chosun University participate in a two-week program from December 26, 2025 to January 9, 2026.Students from the College of Pharmacy at Mokpo National University attend a five-day program from January 5 to January 9, 2026, while students from Sunchon National University, including those majoring in Biomedical Science, participate in a three-week program running from January 12 to January 30, 2026.▲ Purification process practical training sessionThrough this program, PCMO has structured both theoretical lectures and hands-on training to help students systematically understand the overall structure and manufacturing environment of the vaccine and biopharmaceutical industry. The training is largely practice-oriented, focusing on core concepts required in the field, such as industry trends, an overview of biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes, and quality management systems. The curriculum is designed to provide practical reference points for students as they explore future career paths.Notably, this winter program was operated over a period of up to one month, targeting primarily third- and fourth-year university students and job seekers, with the goal of strengthening practical competencies. By focusing on real-world workflows and management systems used in biopharmaceutical production, the program aims to enhance students’ understanding as they prepare for post-graduation career paths.▲ QC (Quality Control) Karl Fischer moisture analysis practical training sessionThe curriculum covers end-to-end logistics and management procedures from raw material receipt and storage to distribution alongside operational systems based on Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards. Through hands-on training in cultivation, purification, and quality control, students are able to build practical adaptability to industrial environments. The program also includes operation of manufacturing and testing equipment commonly used in biopharmaceutical production, cleanroom temperature and humidity control, and GMP-compliant storage facilities with all content directly applicable to real industry settings. Participants gain an understanding of potential variables in manufacturing and quality control processes and how overall process reliability is maintained in biopharmaceutical production.Song Jinyoung, Head of External Relations at the PCMO stated, “This winter training program was designed to help students gain a more realistic understanding of the biopharmaceutical industry and to connect their academic studies with actual industrial environments. We plan to continue expanding both the scope of participants and program content through sustained collaboration with regional universities.”