Asan Medical Center (AMC) announced Thursday that Professor Jeon Jae-yong of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine has been selected for two projects under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE)’s “Biohealth Research and Development Project.”
The “2025 Second Round of the Biohealth Research and Development Project,” under the auspices of MOTIE, aims to enhance the global competitiveness of the biohealth industry and foster future cutting-edge industries by developing core and foundational technologies aligned with national growth strategies.
Professor Jeon will conduct core research and development, spanning from preclinical studies to clinical application and regulatory approval, for two projects: “Development of a non-invasive diaphragmatic nerve stimulation-based respiratory function rehabilitation electronic drug” and “Development of an AI image monitoring-based multi-stimulation laser-ultrasound therapy device for lymphoedema relief and management.”
The research project will run for four years and nine months until December 2029, with each project receiving 5.32 billion won ($3.83 million) and 5.2 billion won in government research funding.
The project aims to develop a non-invasive, diaphragmatic nerve stimulation-based electronic device for respiratory function rehabilitation. This device will assist breathing and promote functional recovery through non-invasive diaphragmatic nerve stimulation for patients with impaired respiratory function following lung cancer surgery or in intensive care units. The goal is to commercialize the device after obtaining regulatory approval. The project is being jointly conducted by the Rehabilitation Research Center at the Biomedical Engineering Research Institute of AMC, Professor Lee Sei-won of the Department of Respiratory Medicine, and Hypertix. Professor Lee serves as the director of the Rehabilitation Research Center.
The project to develop an AI-based image monitoring system for lymphoedema management and a multi-stimulation laser-ultrasound therapy device is being jointly led by the Rehabilitation Research Center at the Biomedical Engineering Research Institute of AMC and S-ONE BIO. The goal is to develop a new therapy device that combines AI-based image monitoring technology with a laser-ultrasound composite stimulation system for patients with lymphoedema, who have had limited effective treatment options, and to obtain regulatory approval for market entry.
“It is meaningful to be selected for this biohealth R&D project,” Professor Jeon said. “Through this research, we will strive to develop next-generation rehabilitation medical devices to improve patients’ quality of life and contribute to the development of the biohealth industry.”