Korea University Medical Center said Tuesday that it has signed a technology transfer agreement related to stem cell research with InnoGene.

The transfer concerns one of the “stem cell differentiation factor production and purification technology” developed by Professor Kim Dong-ho of Korea University through the biomedical technology development project of the Ministry of Science and ICT.

It is a technology that enables the mass production of differentiation factors with the same structure and activation as the growth and morphogenic factors present in the human body. Both parties expect that the substance will have a high value for future drug development and various other stem cell researches.

The process of differentiating stem cells into specific functional cells using differentiation factors is essential for cell therapy development, disease modeling, screening for new drug candidates, and toxicity testing.

In Korea, however, most companies rely on expensive imports, and the two institutions hoped that through this substance they would move one step close to commercializing a material that contains high growth factors with price competitiveness.

“By transferring this technology, we will be able to secure price competitiveness replacing expensive import materials by producing high-quality differentiation factor at a reasonable price,” Professor Kim said. “Through this substance, the hospital believes that it will be able to increase the reliability of studies related to stem cell-related differentiation in Korea.”

InnoGene CEO Lee Kwang-hun said, “Through this technology agreement, we will continue to cooperate closely with Korea University Medical Center and develop effective products for follicular growth and skin regeneration. We plan to provide high-efficiency pharmaceuticals and cosmeceuticals to many consumers at an affordable price.”