AusBiotech signs MoU with KoreaBIO

The AusBiotech 2013 national conference culminated last week in the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between AusBiotech and the Korea Biotechnology Industry Organization (KoreaBIO).

The MoU is to recognise the key role that biotechnology plays in economic and social development, and the benefits of a strategic partnership between Australia and Korea. AusBiotech and KoreaBIO are the industry associations representing the biotechnology industries of Australia and Korea respectively.

Signed by KoreaBIO President Dr Eun-Hee Bae and AusBiotech CEO Dr Anna Lavelle, the MoU is to promote collaboration and cooperation in the area of biotechnology. The objectives of the MoU are for both parties to:

• promote cooperation in biotechnology in areas of mutual interest, especially those relevant to economic and social development;
• promote the exchange of views in supporting the formulation and application of biotechnology policy by government;
• facilitate interaction between officials, scientists and technologists of Korea and Australia.

The MoU encourages and supports increased interaction between Korea and Australian biotechnology companies through access to visitor office facilities in Seoul and Melbourne to support members of KoreaBIO and AusBiotech when in Korea and Australia. AusBiotech and KoreaBIO will seek to identify projects that can attract funding to support biotechnology collaboration between Korea and Australia.

A representative from the Strategic Planning Department of KoreaBIO, You-me Choi, and members of AusBiotech board, including Chairman Dr Deborah Rathjen, were present at the MOU signing ceremony at the AusBiotech 2013 national conference in Brisbane.

About KoreaBIO

The Korea Biotechnology Industry Organization was launched in November 2008, bringing together the Bioindustry Association of Korea (BAK), Korea Bio Venture Association and the Korea Biotechnology Research Association that each represented different segments of the biotechnology industry.

KoreaBIO seeks to strengthen cooperation among the government, bio-businesses and pharmaceutical companies to create new models for future growth. It also aims to facilitate communication between the government and business and to connect overseas industries, organisations and investors with Korea.