PR Center(News)

[Press Release] PCMO Signs MOU with RPEXBIO… Joint Development of mRNA Pharmaceuticals

▲ Logos of RPEXBio Co., Ltd. and PCMOPCMO (Director: Cho Min, hereinafter referred to as the “Center”) announced on the 12th that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with RPEXBIO Co., Ltd. (CEO: Oh Jong-won) to promote mutual cooperation in the development of mRNA-based pharmaceuticals. This agreement aims to establish a collaborative mRNA-based bioindustry ecosystem by combining the core capabilities of both institutions for the development and commercialization of new pipelines utilizing mRNA source technologies. The two parties plan to cooperate broadly across the mRNA industry, including the planning and execution of joint R&D projects. Under the agreement, RPEXBIO will pursue: ▲ Establishment and evaluation of technology based on mRNA and self-amplifying RNA platform technologies, ▲ Establishment of mRNA/LNP manufacturing processes, ▲ Development of new product platforms, and ▲ Collaboration with domestic companies developing mRNA vaccines and therapeutics. The Center will be responsible for: ▲ Providing GMP-based process development and manufacturing infrastructure for mRNA pharmaceuticals, ▲ Consulting for technology transfer and commercialization, and ▲ End-to-end support including drug substance and drug product manufacturing. This enables the Center to function as a public CDMO that connects early-stage R&D to production.▲ From left: PCMO main plant, mRNA building, and Training center The Center is currently expanding its mRNA CDMO operations based on its existing manufacturing facilities and new mRNA production building. By next year, it plans to complete a full production system capable of delivering mRNA vaccines for non-clinical use to emergency national supply. A new isolator-equipped pre-filled syringe line is also under construction, enabling production of finished drug products in 1ml pre-filled syringes and 2R and 6R vials, significantly expanding the scope of operations. RPEXBIO is a biotechnology company focused on the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases using RNA-based technologies. The company possesses proprietary mRNA platform technologies and next-generation vaccine technologies based on reverse genetics of RNA viruses. Drawing on its experience developing COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, RPEXBIO is building a diverse pipeline of vaccines and therapeutics and is committed to advancing healthcare and improving public health through enhanced safety and efficacy using non-modified nucleic acids. Meanwhile, the Korean government is actively supporting the development of new mRNA pharmaceuticals, with many domestic pharmaceutical companies also concentrating their capabilities in this area. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) plans to invest KRW 505.2 billion by 2028 in companies such as GC Biopharma, EuBiologics, Korea BMI, and LemoNex through the “Pandemic Preparedness mRNA Vaccine Development Support Project,” with the goal of achieving mRNA vaccine approvals. Through this agreement, both organizations are expected to strengthen the competitiveness of Korea’s mRNA-based bioindustry by leveraging their specialized expertise and infrastructure. Their continued partnership is anticipated to accelerate domestic self-sufficiency in vaccines and therapeutics and serve as a key turning point in achieving technological independence and global expansion in the Korean bio-ecosystem.

[Press Release] PCMO and Korea Polytechnics Sign MOU for Bio Talent Development

▲ Signing ceremony photo ▲ Signing ceremony photo 2PCMO (Director: Cho Min, hereinafter referred to as "the Center") announced on the 11th that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Bio Campus of Korea Polytechnics to foster professional talent in the bio sector. This agreement aims to establish a collaborative framework for cultivating skilled professionals in the bio industry by sharing the latest trends in education and career exploration. The Center and the Bio Campus plan to expand hands-on education and field training opportunities by leveraging each institution's expertise and infrastructure. Key areas of cooperation include:▲ Joint use of facilities and equipment▲ Sharing admissions and career-related information▲ Exchanging know-how in professional workforce development▲ Collaborating on curriculum design and implementation▲ Logos of Korea Polytechnics Bio Campus and PCMO Korea Polytechnics Bio Campus is the only bio-specialized campus in the nation. It offers five specialized departments: Bioprocess Engineering, Biopharmaceutical Analysis, Bioquality Control, Bionanomaterials, and Bioinformatics. Over the past three years, it has achieved an average employment rate of 88.6%, with 87.1% employed by large and mid-sized companies, and a 93.6% full-time employment rate. Notably, 46 graduates have joined Samsung Biologics, among other leading companies in Korea’s bio industry. Meanwhile, the Center is set to launch a full-scale training program in June 2025 through its new Training center, part of the Vaccine Industry Talent Development Project supported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and Hwasun County. The Center aims to train over 900 individuals by 2026 and is also contributing to the World Health Organization (WHO)’s Global Bio Campus initiative, supporting global vaccine capacity building as well as regional development. The training center, scheduled for completion in June 2025, will serve as the largest GMP hands-on training facility in the Gwangju-Jeonnam region. It is expected to generate strong synergy in future academia-industry cooperation. The facility will offer practical training in pharmaceutical manufacturing and quality control using state-of-the-art equipment including 50L bioreactors, autoclaves, continuous centrifuges, HPLC, and LC-MS systems. A representative from the Center stated, “This agreement will provide students with close exposure to real-world bio manufacturing sites and serve as a stepping stone to becoming key leaders in the industry,” adding, “We will continue to strengthen educational partnerships to nurture the future of the bio field.”

[Press Release] PCMO Signs MOU with Hwasun County and GIST for Bio Talent Development

- Part of the Jeonnam Educational Development Special Zone Pilot Project... Aims to Foster Talent in Vaccines and Biotechnology▲ From left: PCMO main plant, mRNA building, andTraining center▲ PCMO Education Center PCMO in Hwasun, Jeollanam-do (Director: Min Cho, hereinafter referred to as the “Center”) announced on the 21st that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hwasun County, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Hwasun High School, and Neungju High School. The agreement aims to cultivate bio-specialized talent in the Jeonnam region and support the operation of the Jeonnam Educational Development Special Zone. The key objective of this agreement is to establish a collaborative framework for operating the Jeonnam Educational Development Special Zone and to jointly develop educational know-how and curricula held by each institution. Through this, the parties aim to provide students with a variety of programs for effective career exploration and build a sustainable talent development system. Hwasun County was selected in 2024 for the Ministry of Education’s Educational Development Special Zone pilot project along with 17 other cities and counties in the Jeonnam region. This agreement represents a practical effort by the five institutions to expand educational curricula. Notably, Hwasun County was designated in June 2023 as one of only five national Bio-Specialized Complexes and plans to develop an advanced vaccine and immunotherapy complex on a 730,000-pyeong scale, focusing on the bio and vaccine industries. ▲ Scene from a virtual reality (VR) training session Meanwhile, the Center plans to open an education center in June 2025 as part of the “Vaccine Industry Professional Training Project” supported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and Hwasun County. It aims to produce over 900 graduates by 2026. The Center is also contributing to global vaccine capacity building by cooperating with the World Health Organization (WHO) in the operation of the “Global Bio Hwasun Campus.” Scheduled for completion in June 2025, the education center will be the largest GMP-capable training facility in the Gwangju-Jeonnam region. It will be equipped with pharmaceutical production equipment such as a 50L fermenter, autoclave, and continuous centrifuge for hands-on practice from microbial culture to purification. It will also feature instruments for physicochemical analysis such as HPLC and LC-MS, as well as equipment for microbiological testing and environmental monitoring, enabling comprehensive quality control training. Recently, the Korean government has been pushing to foster the bio industry as the "second semiconductor industry" through initiatives such as the “K-Bio Transformation Strategy” led by the National Bio Committee and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy’s “Special Act on Innovation for Advanced Industry Talent.” The Center’s growing role in bio talent development is expected to gain further attention as these policies are implemented.

[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, andTraining 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 building, andTraining centerMeanwhile, 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.