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News & Events
Institut Pasteur Korea to Host International Symposium Commemorating the 140th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations Between Korea and France
2026-05-28
Institut Pasteur Korea to Host International Symposium Commemorating the 140th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations Between Korea and France
- Plenary lectures by Prof. Carla Saleh, Chair of the Institut Pasteur Virology Department and Dr. V. Narry Kim, Director of the Center for RNA Research at the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) -
- Expected to strengthen bilateral scientific cooperation and
global partnerships for infectious disease response -
- Expected to strengthen bilateral scientific cooperation and
global partnerships for infectious disease response -
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(May. 28, 2026, Gyeonggi-do, Rep. of Korea) Institut Pasteur Korea (IPK) announced on 28 that it will host the international symposium “Crossroads of Basic and Translational Research in Biomedical Science” on June 5, 2026, at the Science and Technology Convention Center (ST Center), in Seoul, in celebration of the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France.
Organized by IPK and the Institut Pasteur, the symposium will feature scientific sessions covering topics ranging from infectious disease vaccines and therapeutics to cutting-edge biotechnology, alongside an official signing ceremony between the IPK and the Institut Pasteur. The event is expected to provide a platform for sharing the latest research achievements and global technology trends while further strengthening the complementary partnership between the two institutes.
The symposium will open with plenary lectures by leading experts in biomedical science. Prof. Carla Saleh, Chair of the Department of Virology at the Institut Pasteur, will present recent findings on how viral infections accelerate biological aging under the title “Enteric viral infections accelerate aging in Drosophila.”
This will be followed by a plenary lecture from Dr. V. Narry Kim of the Center for RNA Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), titled “mRNA Control: Insights from Viruses and Implications for Medicine,” highlighting virus-derived insights into mRNA regulatory mechanisms and their potential medical applications.
Session 1, “Translational Research Toward First-in-Class Therapeutics,” will explore strategies for translating research discoveries into industrial applications and novel drug development. Speakers include Dr. Pascale Jordan and Dr. Ivo Gomperts Boneca of the Institut Pasteur, as well as Kiyean Nam, CEO of Qurient, a spin-off biotech venture from the IPK, who will present advances in therapeutic research and development.
Session 2, “Vaccine Innovation: Legacy and Future,” will focus on next-generation vaccine platforms and global collaboration strategies. Dr. Daniel Larocque of Sanofi, Dr. Guillemette Masse-Ranson of the Institut Pasteur, and Dr. Euiho Kim of IPK will share the latest developments in vaccine research and innovation.
Organized by IPK and the Institut Pasteur, the symposium will feature scientific sessions covering topics ranging from infectious disease vaccines and therapeutics to cutting-edge biotechnology, alongside an official signing ceremony between the IPK and the Institut Pasteur. The event is expected to provide a platform for sharing the latest research achievements and global technology trends while further strengthening the complementary partnership between the two institutes.
The symposium will open with plenary lectures by leading experts in biomedical science. Prof. Carla Saleh, Chair of the Department of Virology at the Institut Pasteur, will present recent findings on how viral infections accelerate biological aging under the title “Enteric viral infections accelerate aging in Drosophila.”
This will be followed by a plenary lecture from Dr. V. Narry Kim of the Center for RNA Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), titled “mRNA Control: Insights from Viruses and Implications for Medicine,” highlighting virus-derived insights into mRNA regulatory mechanisms and their potential medical applications.
Session 1, “Translational Research Toward First-in-Class Therapeutics,” will explore strategies for translating research discoveries into industrial applications and novel drug development. Speakers include Dr. Pascale Jordan and Dr. Ivo Gomperts Boneca of the Institut Pasteur, as well as Kiyean Nam, CEO of Qurient, a spin-off biotech venture from the IPK, who will present advances in therapeutic research and development.
Session 2, “Vaccine Innovation: Legacy and Future,” will focus on next-generation vaccine platforms and global collaboration strategies. Dr. Daniel Larocque of Sanofi, Dr. Guillemette Masse-Ranson of the Institut Pasteur, and Dr. Euiho Kim of IPK will share the latest developments in vaccine research and innovation.
Session 3, “Transformative Technology Innovation,” will highlight emerging technologies shaping the future of biomedical R&D, including generative AI, deep learning, and 3D human disease models. Prof. Yong Ho Kim of Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU Advanced Institute of Nanotechnology & Department of Nano Engineering, School of Pharmacy), Dr. Christophe Zimmer of the Institut Pasteur, and Dr. Barbara Fonseca of the Institut Pasteur will introduce their latest technology-driven research initiatives.
The final session, “Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Biomedical Research,” will feature discussions on expanding diversity and inclusivity in the global research ecosystem. The panel will be moderated by Heisook Lee of the Korea Center for Gendered Innovations for Science and Technology Research (GISTeR), with participation from symposium speakers and researchers from Korea and abroad.
“IPK has served as a key platform for scientific and technological cooperation between Korea and France,” said Sung Key Jang, CEO of the IPK. “As we commemorate the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, we hope this symposium will further expand the foundation for sustainable international collaborative research, and we welcome the active interest and participation of researchers from around the world.”
The symposium will be held as an in-person event, and pre-registration will be available through June 1. More information can be found on the IPK website.
- About Institut Pasteur Korea
Institut Pasteur Korea (IPK) is a non-profit infectious disease-focused research institute established in 2004 as a part of the scientific cooperation between the Rep. of Korea and France. To address unmet global health issues, such as COVID-19, hepatitis, tuberculosis, antibiotic resistance, and cancer, IPK utilizes its core research capabilities, including in-house developed cell-based screening platforms, to understand disease mechanisms and accelerate the development of new treatments. As a member of the Institut Pasteur International Network (IPIN), constituting 32 member institutes in 25 countries across the five continents, IPK plays a key role in driving early drug discovery within the network.
- About the Institut Pasteur
Institut Pasteur Korea (IPK) is an infectious disease-focused research institute established in April 2004 as part of the Korea–France scientific exchange initiative. IPK has advanced drug discovery and the development of vaccines and therapeutics, contributing to efforts against major infectious diseases, including tuberculosis and COVID-19.
Leveraging its advanced R&D capabilities, IPK provides cutting-edge technologies and expertise, including drug discovery screening platforms (HTS/HCS), to domestic and international biomedical communities, supporting translational research that bridges basic scientific discoveries and pharmaceutical development. Through collaborations with industry, academia, and research institutions worldwide, IPK utilizes key infrastructures such as its BSL-3-equipped Research Resource Center (RRC) and works closely with the Pasteur Network to advance global public health.
A member of the Pasteur Network, IPK contributes to drug discovery efforts in the Asia-Pacific region and supports global infectious disease preparedness and response.
The final session, “Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Biomedical Research,” will feature discussions on expanding diversity and inclusivity in the global research ecosystem. The panel will be moderated by Heisook Lee of the Korea Center for Gendered Innovations for Science and Technology Research (GISTeR), with participation from symposium speakers and researchers from Korea and abroad.
“IPK has served as a key platform for scientific and technological cooperation between Korea and France,” said Sung Key Jang, CEO of the IPK. “As we commemorate the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, we hope this symposium will further expand the foundation for sustainable international collaborative research, and we welcome the active interest and participation of researchers from around the world.”
The symposium will be held as an in-person event, and pre-registration will be available through June 1. More information can be found on the IPK website.
- About Institut Pasteur Korea
Institut Pasteur Korea (IPK) is a non-profit infectious disease-focused research institute established in 2004 as a part of the scientific cooperation between the Rep. of Korea and France. To address unmet global health issues, such as COVID-19, hepatitis, tuberculosis, antibiotic resistance, and cancer, IPK utilizes its core research capabilities, including in-house developed cell-based screening platforms, to understand disease mechanisms and accelerate the development of new treatments. As a member of the Institut Pasteur International Network (IPIN), constituting 32 member institutes in 25 countries across the five continents, IPK plays a key role in driving early drug discovery within the network.
- About the Institut Pasteur
Institut Pasteur Korea (IPK) is an infectious disease-focused research institute established in April 2004 as part of the Korea–France scientific exchange initiative. IPK has advanced drug discovery and the development of vaccines and therapeutics, contributing to efforts against major infectious diseases, including tuberculosis and COVID-19.
Leveraging its advanced R&D capabilities, IPK provides cutting-edge technologies and expertise, including drug discovery screening platforms (HTS/HCS), to domestic and international biomedical communities, supporting translational research that bridges basic scientific discoveries and pharmaceutical development. Through collaborations with industry, academia, and research institutions worldwide, IPK utilizes key infrastructures such as its BSL-3-equipped Research Resource Center (RRC) and works closely with the Pasteur Network to advance global public health.
A member of the Pasteur Network, IPK contributes to drug discovery efforts in the Asia-Pacific region and supports global infectious disease preparedness and response.
- PRESS CONTACTS:
Institut Pasteur: Press Office, Aurélie Perthuison – presse@pasteur.fr
Institut Pasteur Korea: Project Management & Operation Office, Sowan Kwon – publicrelations@ip-korea.org