The Institute for Korean Studies presents:
"Korea's Bio Industry and Its Global Impact"
Yang H. Yun
University of Akron
Abstract: Korea’s biotechnology roots started from a humble beginning, arising from a tradition of food fermentation, such as Kimchi and soy sauce. Even Samsung started as a trading company for fish, noodles, and locally grown groceries in 1938 and established Samsung Biologics in 2011, the current Korea’s leading biotechnology company and a global leader in contract development and manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals. To make this possible, the Korean government established the Genetic Engineering Promotion Law in 1983, faltering the start of new departments specializing in genetics and biotechnology. Also, aggressive investment in the biotechnological and pharmaceutical sectors has led to companies such as Samsung Biologics manufacturers of vaccines and antibodies, BD Biosensor manufacturers of rapid antigen COVID-19 diagnostic kits, LG Chemical manufacturers of anti-cancer therapy, and SK Biopharmaceutics manufacturers of a drug for Epilepsy. The annual sales of all the Korean biotechnological companies are approximately $678 billion and growing. Korea has a bright future because its scientific infrastructure is ranked second internationally by the International Institute for Management Development.
Dr. Yang H. Yun is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Akron. He earned his Ph.D. and M.S. in Bioengineering from the University of Memphis and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Christian Brothers University. Dr. Yun's work focuses on biomaterials, cancer therapy, drug and gene delivery, electrospinning, nanotechnology, tissue engineering, and the treatment of infectious diseases. His research is supported by NIH, NSF, ABIA and industry, which include the prestigious NSF CAREER award. His data was featured as the cover art on the book entitled “Nanotechnology in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine.
