A press conference was held on August 7 at UNIAN news agency in Kyiv during which the US-Ukraine Foundation Biotech Initiative joined participants from Ukraine, South Korea, Ireland, Israel and Poland in virtually signing a Memorandum of Cooperation and Interaction to create an international medical cluster at the Lviv Polytechnic University Science Park and elsewhere in Ukraine.

The project will include production of personal protective equipment (PPE) as part of the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, joint research into stem cells, anti-aging, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other degenerative diseases, and introduction of innovative health technology in Ukraine.

"This idea was that of the former South Korean ambassador [Lee Yang-Gu]. This idea immediately got support and we think that if everything described in the memorandum is delivered we will have a very successful endeavor," said Olexander Horin, Ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of Korea.

"Cooperation among nations, commercial cooperation between the community in South Korea and Ukraine is essential in tackling this pandemic," said Republic of Korea Ambassador to Ukraine Kwon Ki-Chang.

Hi Tech Office Ukraine CEO Andriy Biriukov noted that Ukraine is uniquely positioned for this type of international project given its human resources, research and development capacity and location.

The project will begin with the production of PPE using special Korean technology to meet the demands of the Ukrainian healthcare system and for export.

The signatories of the Memorandum were:

Ukraine: Lviv Regional State Administration, Lviv City Council; Sumy Regional Council, Public Union “Hi Tech Office Ukraine”, National University “Lviv Polytechnic”, Sumy State University, Science Park of the National University “Lviv Polytechnic”, State Research Institution “Kyiv Academic University” of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
South Korea: K-Medical Holdings, XnTREE, Inc.
Ireland: TWARKE Company, Irish-Ukrainian business platform
Israel: Chamber of Commerce and Industry Israel-Ukraine
Poland: Center for Research and Development of Social Innovations Jesuit University in Krakow
US: US-Ukraine Foundation Biotech Initiative

 

 

Photo: Hi Tech Office Ukraine