A government project plans investment of about KRW 940 billion from 2026-32 in the research and development (R&D) of advanced medical devices. Shown is Minister of Science and ICT Bae Kyunghoon (second from right) on July 21 inspecting the research of companies at the specialized R&D zone Seoul Biohub in Seoul's Dongdaemun-gu District. (Ministry of Science and ICT)
By Jeon Misun
The government will invest about KRW 940 billion in research and development (R&D) of advanced medical devices over the next seven years.
The Ministry of Science and ICT on Nov. 5 announced that along with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, Ministry of Health and Welfare, and Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, it will launch the second phase of a pan-ministry R&D program for advanced medical devices from 2026-32 with a combined investment of KRW 940.8 billion, including KRW 102.5 billion from the private sector.
The goal is to develop six world-first or globally leading "game-changing" devices and localize the production of 13 essential ones. Support will go to the full developmental cycle from basic research to product development, clinical trials and regulatory approval.
Strategic backing will also go to promising fields for next-generation devices using advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics to strengthen global competitiveness.
Launched in 2020, the first phase of the project supported 467 projects and resulted in 433 domestic and overseas regulatory approvals, 72 technology transfers and 254 cases of commercial application. Substantial results were also seen such as localized production of blood filters for artificial kidney blood filters, which had been available only through imports, and development of the world's first AI-based medical device software for assistance in cerebral infarction diagnosis.
"The project is an inter-ministerial initiative to develop advanced medical devices as a new growth engine for the country," an official said. "We will continuously incorporate feedback from the research field and strengthen our support."
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