Germany-based industrial giant Siemens AG will cooperate with Korea University in Seoul to research and develop innovative medical equipment such as ultrasonic test and laser treatment devices with an aim to commercialize them for future use.

According to Seoul Metropolitan Government on Monday, Roland Busch, member of Siemens’ managing board, informed Mayor Park Won-soon in a meeting that its healthcare unit will sign a memorandum of understanding with Korea University in December to jointly develop healthcare equipment and exchange technology and research development workforce. The partnership will last for five years.

Kim Yong-chan, director of Korea University’s research planning office, said the university will first take part in the partnership by conducting joint research on ultrasonic test equipment currently being produced by Siemens’ healthcare. The collaboration will then expand to include other areas such as the development of new laser treatment devices that have potential to gain global attention in the future, Kim added.

Under the partnership with Korea University, Siemens will provide necessary funds and equipment for research to the university and in return, the university will develop new products applying new technology based on research and development. The two parties also plan to jointly hold international conferences and seminars for in-depth research. Details including total investment amount and specific research and development goals will be announced in December.

Busch, who has been a member of the Seoul International Business Advisory Council since 2011, proposed the Seoul city government last year to expand investment in nurturing a biomedical cluster like one in Hongneung in Dongdaemun District, central Seoul.

In his latest meeting with Mayor Park, Busch said Korea University that plays the most crucial role in the bio medical cluster in Hongneung has accumulated diverse data based on the university hospital and also talented research workforce. He noted that based on the upcoming MOU, Siemens will expand joint research and provide support so that innovative technology developed by the university can be commercialized.

Mayor Park also said that along with Korea University, there are many leading medical research institutions in the Hongneung area such as Kyung Hee University’s Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), and that the city will put out efforts to attract global entities like Siemens to help develop the area as a biomedical hub.

By Kim Je-gwan

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