The Austrian Embassy in Seoul kicked off its Life Science Forum Tuesday to promote its businesses seeking partnerships with Korean companies.

“We are convinced life science innovation in Korea is high and that Austria and Korea are matched in that respect,” said Johannes Sarx from Life Science Austria (LISA). “We have a long history of life sciences in medical research and biology, and we are building on that technology.”

Five institutions – FH Campus Wien, Bilfinger Industrietechnik, Mycoplasma Biosafety, GCP Gamma Capital Partners, and CS Life Science Invest Corp. – introduced their organizations and plans to seek partnerships in Korea.

Bilfinger is a company headquartered in Salzburg, Austria, with regional operations in China, Korea, and Russia, specializing in pipelines and assembly, plants and systems, and water solutions. The company offers bioprocess equipment, consulting for bioprocesses, and after-sales services.

Mycoplasma Biosafety has been a global market leader in mycoplasma detection prevention and control technology since 2004, specializing in rapid mycoplasma and regulatory mycoplasma testing, according to its business development manager, Martina Sauert.

“We are seeking partners for distribution of our products in Korea, offer high-quality mycoplasma testing, and method validations and consulting services,” Sauert said.

The three other organizations also emphasized that they are looking for active partnerships and investment opportunities in Korea.

Austria has 823 life science companies and records the sales of about 19 billion euro each year, Sarx said.