The 1st Vice-Minister of the MSIT visited Institut Pasteur Korea, an international research institute focusing on infectious diseases
2022-01-19
The First Vice-Minister Yong Hongtaek of the Ministry of Science and ICT visited Institut Pasteur Korea, an international research institute focusing on infectious diseases
On January 14, the 1st Vice-Minister Yong Hongtaek of Ministry of Science and ICT visited Institut Pasteur Korea (IPK), was briefed on the IPK’s major research and operation plans in 2022, and sought the opportunity to encourage researchers during the tour of the infectious disease R&D facilities complying with the strict COVID-19 quarantine.
IPK’s COVID-19 response strategy for 2022 was outlined to vaccines and immunology research, such as the long-term follow-up study on immune responses in COVID-19 vaccinated individuals, in addition to the drug discovery focused on global clinical trials of COVID-19 therapeutic candidates, drug efficacy evaluation against variants, and pan-coronavirus drug development. Additionally, IPK shared its vision of establishing itself as the infectious disease research hub leading the Asia-Pacific region by means of pursuing the five mid-term R&D strategies and construction of a Research Resource Center.
Vice-Minister Yong emphasized that IPK has made an outstanding remark in response to COVID-19 by quickly discovering the drug candidates employing its drug discovery screening capacity and translating them to clinical trials leveraging its unique international network.
Next, Vice-Minister Yong looked around the construction sites of BSL-3 and ABSL-3 laboratories and Biobank, which are being established on the 6th floor of IPK’s Research Building as part of the Virus Research Resource Center under coordination of the Ministry of Science and ICT. He expressed anticipation for the new strategic infrastructure that can provide a solution for the shortage of core infectious disease research facilities in the metropolitan area.
Visiting the Zoonotic Virus Lab, Tuberculosis Research Lab, Biobank Team, Viral Immunology Lab, and the Host-Parasite Research Lab, Vice-Minister Yong encouraged the endeavors of all the researchers and heard of their difficulties.
Vice-Minister Yong said, “Proactive preparation is the key to overcome COVID-19 and be ready to respond rapidly to future Disease X.” He added, “We ask that IPK works to meet the private sector’s need for research infrastructure through expansion of core infectious disease research facilities while at the same time fulfilling its role as a global infectious disease research hub utilizing the Pasteur Network.”
Dr. Jee said, “IPK strives to play a role as a core research institute strategizing to support national infectious disease preparedness and response by keep advancing research technology and infrastructure and actively founding multi-faceted cooperation with global partners, for which ask for continuous support from the government.”