PR Center(News)

[Press Release] PCMO Concludes Successful Participation in BIO KOREA 2025

▲ Booth of PCMO at BIO KOREA 2025▲ LED display at PCMO booth at BIO KOREA 2025Jeonnam Hwasun PCMO (Director: Cho Min, hereinafter referred to as the Center) announced on the 12th that it had successfully concluded its participation in "BIO KOREA 2025," held from May 7 to 9 at COEX in Seoul.At the event, the Center showcased its achievements since its establishment in 2017 as a public CDMO specializing in microbial production, and revealed its plans to expand into mRNA CDMO operations. Since beginning full operations in 2019, the Center has conducted 130 projects, including FDA IND approvals and Phase 3 clinical trial material production. It also boasts over 100 validated test methods and more than 300 manufacturing records, rapidly solidifying its position within the industry.The Center is set to commence operations of its mRNA manufacturing facility in the third quarter of this year. This facility, built around a 1,000L bioreactor, is capable of producing mRNA drug substance from pDNA to mRNA and LNPs. With a working volume range of 0.2L to 25L, the facility has the capacity to manufacture mRNA vaccines sufficient for a single dose for the entire Korean population annually.Additionally, the Center is actively pursuing business expansion around this mRNA manufacturing facility. It aims to establish a full production system by next year, spanning from non-clinical samples to emergency national vaccine supply. A new pre-filled syringe line with isolator specifications is also under construction, enabling the production of finished drug products in 1ml pre-filled syringes and 2R, 6R vials—significantly broadening the scope of operations.▲ From left: PCMO main plant, mRNA Bulilding, and education centerThe education center, slated for completion in June 2025, and the "Vaccine Specialist Training Program" also garnered much attention. As the largest GMP training facility in the Gwangju-Jeonnam region, it will be equipped with state-of-the-art pharmaceutical manufacturing and analytical equipment including 50L bioreactors, autoclaves, continuous centrifuges, HPLC, and LC-MS. This will enable hands-on training across all stages—from microbial cultivation to quality control—attracting strong interest from educational institutions and students.Recently, the National Bio Committee announced the “K-Bio Grand Transformation Strategy,” targeting the world’s top CDMO sales and a KRW 1 trillion public-private fund. In line with this, the Center plans to strengthen its role as Korea’s only public CDMO covering microbial and mRNA production, serving as key infrastructure to support corporate growth and technology commercialization.BIO KOREA 2025, marking its 20th anniversary, was co-hosted by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute and Chungcheongbuk-do. It is the nation’s largest biohealth industry event, drawing participation from 769 companies across 61 countries. The event featured exhibitions, business partnering, investment fairs, and conferences. Leading global pharmaceutical firms such as Lonza, Johnson & Johnson, and Celltrion, as well as startups, research institutions, and investors, gathered in a major show of industry interest.

[Press Release] PCMO Successfully Concludes 'Innovation Convergence Summit' Event

▲ Song Jin-young, External Relations Team Leader of the Center, presenting the Track RecordOn April 29 (Tuesday), a seminar and networking event with industry experts was held at Seoul Bio Hub PCMO (Director Cho Min, hereinafter referred to as "the Center") announced the successful conclusion of the "Innovation Convergence Summit – New Drug Materials and Nonclinical Demonstration" held at Seoul Bio Hub.This event was co-hosted with Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital and aimed to support the commercialization of innovative new drug materials. Targeting companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, the event featured experts across the full spectrum of new drug development, including CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization), CRO (Contract Research Organization), and GMP consulting, offering an opportunity to review development processes and expand networks.In the first part of the seminar, the Center presented its plans to expand public CDMO operations based on the upcoming mRNA manufacturing facility scheduled to be operational in Q3 2025. It also shared its six-year track record and highlighted the unique strengths and differentiation of public CDMOs. Other engaging presentations included Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital’s corporate support cases and program introduction, GMP international trends by Jung Jae-ho, Executive Vice President of BNP Care, and R&D development strategies for value enhancement by Kim Hee-sun, CEO of BXPlant.▲ Networking session at the Innovation Convergence SummitThe second part of the event featured a networking session with CDMOs, research institutions, and materials/components/equipment (MCE) companies from the Seoul metropolitan area. Discussions on potential joint business developments took place, and practical information exchange opportunities were provided through interactions with resident companies at Seoul Bio Hub.A Center representative stated, “As private investment, including venture capital (VC) and angel funding, has declined in the current pharmaceutical and biotechnology market, many new drug development pipelines are being halted,” adding, “Until the investment environment recovers, the Center is prepared to provide substantial support in various aspects, and we welcome active inquiries.”

[Press Release] PCMO Signs MOU with Neungju High School in Hwasun, Jeollanam-do for Bio Training

-Early Training of Bio Talent… Establishing a Practical Training Cooperation System Beyond University Education▲ Signing ceremony of the MOU between PCMO and Neungju High SchoolPCMO (Director Min Cho, hereinafter referred to as the "Center") announced on the 14th that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Neungju High School (Principal Taemo Seong) in Hwasun to cultivate bio professionals in the Jeollanam-do region.The key objective of this agreement is to share the latest trends in education and career exploration while establishing a cooperative network for specialized workforce training. Through this, students will be provided with effective career exploration opportunities and a sustainable talent development cooperation system.Neungju High School, in collaboration with the Center, will offer students diverse information on careers and college admissions in the bio and pharmaceutical sectors while contributing to the establishment of hands-on training and experiential learning opportunities. This initiative aims to allow students to gain practical industry experience that is often difficult to access even at the university level. It also aligns with the recent emphasis on training specialized technical and creative convergence talents in specialized high schools and meister high schools.Neungju High School has particularly established itself as a "prestigious regional" private high school, maintaining the highest ranking in Seoul National University acceptance rates in Jeollanam-do every year. With this agreement, the school is expected to go beyond simply producing outstanding academic results and become the only high school in the country that nurtures on-site industry-ready talents, particularly in the rapidly growing bio sector.▲ From the left: PCMO Main Plant, mRNA Manufacturing Facility, and Educational FacilityMeanwhile, the Center is set to open an educational facility in June 2025 under the Vaccine Industry Professional Training Project supported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy and Hwasun County, Jeollanam-do. The goal is to train more than 900 graduates by 2026, and in response to high demand, the Center plans to expand its training operations upon the facility’s completion.The educational facility, slated for completion in June 2025, will be the largest GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) training center in the Gwangju-Jeollanam-do region. It will be equipped with cutting-edge facilities that enable hands-on experience in microbial cultivation and purification, including a 50L bioreactor, autoclave, and continuous centrifuge. Additionally, students will have access to analytical instruments such as HPLC and LC-MS for physicochemical analysis, microbial testing, environmental monitoring, and quality control training, further broadening the scope of collaboration with educational institutions.Leveraging this infrastructure, the Center aims to establish itself as a key educational hub for bio-pharmaceutical industry workforce training in the Gwangju-Jeollanam-do region. This initiative is expected to significantly contribute to strengthening GMP capabilities in the region and advancing the high-tech bio industry, in conjunction with the designation of the Hwasun Bio Cluster.

[Press Release] PCMO Successfully Concludes Winter Break GMP Training Program for Vaccine

-Conducted from February 13 to February 26 for two weeks… Combining theory and hands-on training at a cGMP-certified manufacturing facility in Hwasun, Jeollanam-do▲ Completion ceremony in front of the Microbial Bioprocess Center buildingPCMO (Director Min Cho, hereinafter referred to as the "Center") announced on the 27th that it successfully completed its GMP training program for vaccines and biopharmaceuticals, which was conducted for 16 students majoring in biotechnology and life sciences from February 13 to February 26.This training program was held at the Center, located in Hwasun's Vaccine Industry Special Zone, and featured a structured curriculum combining theoretical education with practical training. Notably, the Center utilized its state-of-the-art cGMP facilities to provide insights into the latest R&D trends, while also hosting networking sessions with industry professionals to encourage active participation from trainees.The training curriculum was designed based on the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines established by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, ensuring that students could easily grasp real-world applications through a balance of theory and hands-on experience. Key training modules included;▲Fundamentals of GMP▲Validation and equipment qualification▲Manufacturing site theory and facility tour▲Utility (facility management) theory and practical training▲Quality control (QC) training▲Virtual reality (VR)-based bioprocess training.Lectures were delivered by industry experts with extensive hands-on experience, further enhancing the program’s practical value.▲ Conducting VR training▲ Conducting validation trainingFor the first time, the Center conducted a nationwide open recruitment for this training program, receiving 38 applications for 16 available spots, resulting in a competitive ratio of 2.38:1. The Center conducted a rigorous selection process, prioritizing candidates with academic backgrounds in vaccines and biopharmaceuticals, thereby providing practical training opportunities to individuals in need of industry experience.One participant expressed their satisfaction with the program, stating, "The two-week training was incredibly insightful and helped me gain hands-on experience. I hope there will be a longer curriculum available in the future. This program has given me a competitive edge in preparing for various industry roles."Meanwhile, the Center is preparing to expand its training initiatives through the Vaccine Industry Professional Training Project, supported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy and Hwasun County, Jeollanam-do. With the opening of a new training facility in June 2025, the Center aims to train more than 900 professionals by 2026. In response to the high demand observed in this training program, the Center is planning a significant expansion of its training operations upon the facility’s completion.The new training center, set to open in June 2025, will be the largest GMP training facility in the Gwangju-Jeonnam region, equipped with state-of-the-art bioprocessing and quality control equipment. This includes 50L bioreactors, autoclaves, continuous centrifuges for pharmaceutical production, as well as HPLC, LC-MS, and microbial/environmental monitoring instruments for quality control training.With these advanced facilities, the Center aims to establish itself as a leading educational hub for biopharmaceutical manufacturing in the Gwangju-Jeonnam region. This initiative, in conjunction with Hwasun’s designation as a specialized biotech cluster, is expected to significantly strengthen local GMP capabilities and contribute to the advancement of the cutting-edge biopharmaceutical industry.

[Press Release] PCMO Completes GMP Training with Chosun University

- Two-week training from January 9 to January 22, featuring hands-on experience at a cGMP-grade facility in Hwasun, Jeollanam-do▲ Chosun University’s Department of Biomedical Sciences Chair, Seokjun Kim, Professor Chulwoong Choi, and 15 program graduatesPCMO in Hwasun, Jeollanam-do (Director Min Cho, hereinafter referred to as the Center) announced on the 24th that it has successfully completed a two-week GMP training program for 15 students, including those from the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Chosun University, from January 9 to January 22.The training was conducted at the Center, located in the Hwasun Vaccine Industry Special Zone, and featured a curriculum combining theoretical instruction with hands-on field training. By utilizing the Center’s state-of-the-art GMP facilities, the program engaged participants through practical training, industry trend analysis, and networking sessions with industry professionals.The curriculum was designed based on the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards set by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), ensuring a balanced mix of theoretical and practical education. Training topics included: - Introduction to GMP fundamentals - Validation and equipment qualification - Manufacturing site theory and facility tours - Utilities (facility management) theory and hands-on training - Quality control (QC) training - VR-based bioreactor process training Expert instructors, drawing from their field experience, led the sessions to enhance participants' understanding of GMP operations.The comprehensive blend of theory and hands-on experience resulted in an overall satisfaction score of 95.9%. Notably, hands-on training with bioreactors, purification equipment, and QC testing received exceptionally high praise, achieving a satisfaction score of 98.▲ Hands-on training in bioreactor cultivationSome participants shared their feedback, stating, “The training was highly practical, allowing us to experience real-world operations,” and “The insights from industry professionals on job interviews and workplace expectations were extremely valuable.”The Center is set to launch a large-scale workforce development initiative with the opening of a new training facility in June 2025, as part of theVaccine Industry Professional Training Projectsupported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy and Hwasun County, Jeollanam-do. The goal is to train and graduate more than 900 professionals by 2026.Scheduled for completion in June 2025, the new training center will be the largest GMP training facility in the Gwangju-Jeonnam region. Equipped with advanced training infrastructure, it aims to serve as a hub for nurturing experts in the biopharmaceutical industry. Along with the designation of Hwasun as a specialized biotech cluster, the facility is expected to significantly enhance GMP capabilities in the region and drive the growth of the advanced bioindustry.

[Press Release] PCMO Advances Next-Gen Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine Development

- Advanced recombinant VLP production platform enables superior quality compared to first-generation vaccines▲ Logos of Vaxdigm, Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, and PCMOPCMO (Director: Min Jo) located in Hwasun, Jeollanam-do, announced on the 3rd that it has partnered with Vaxdigm (CEO: Sungjae Kim) and the Department of Microbiology at the Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine (led by Professor Sangwook Suh) to develop a next-generation Japanese encephalitis vaccine.By the first half of 2025, PCMO plans to enhance manufacturing processes to enable large-scale production in GMP facilities, based on research findings secured by Vaxdigm and the Catholic University of Korea. As vaccine safety and regulatory approval are critical in clinical trials, this phase marks a pivotal stage in the end-to-end drug development process.The next-generation Japanese encephalitis vaccine employs recombinant virus-like particle (VLP) production technology, offering improved productivity and quality control compared to first-generation live and inactivated vaccines. Recent studies reveal that the current vaccines are ineffective against the dominant genotype 5 Japanese encephalitis virus circulating in Korea, further underscoring the urgency of developing new vaccines.▲ Panoramic view of PCMOFounded in 2021, Vaxdigm is a pioneering biotech venture leading innovative vaccine development using its proprietary microbial-based rapid protein antigen production platform. This groundbreaking technology delivers superior stability and cost-effectiveness, equipping the company with a competitive edge in the next-generation vaccine market. In addition to the Japanese encephalitis vaccine, Vaxdigm is actively working on developing vaccines to counter future pandemics, including influenza vaccines.Since its establishment in 2017 with support from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and Hwasun County, Jeollanam-do, PCMO has successfully developed processes for over 30 products. It renewed its GMP certification in November 2024, further solidifying its role as a public CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization).Representatives from Vaxdigm and Professor Sangwook Suh's team at the Catholic University of Korea disclosed plans to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in 2025. They emphasized the necessity of new vaccine development, citing the high mortality rate of genotype 5 Japanese encephalitis virus and the low protective efficacy of existing vaccines.According to UNICEF's Japanese Encephalitis Market Report, the global Japanese encephalitis vaccine market is projected to grow from KRW 3.2 trillion in 2023 to KRW 5.5 trillion by 2031. The successful development of this next-generation vaccine is expected to capture this increasing market demand.