Awarded for contributions to Korea’s biotechnology ecosystem
[by Yu, Suin] WOOJUNGBIO announced on July 28 that it had received a merit award from the '2025 Korean Association for Laboratory Animal Science (KALAS)' in recognition of its contribution to the advancement of Korea’s bioindustry and the improvement of non-clinical trial infrastructure.
KALAS, established in 1985, is a leading Korean association in the field of laboratory animal science and has played a pivotal role in advancing research and academic development in biomedical science for the past 40 years. The merit award was personally received by CEO Chun Hee-jung, who has carried forward the founding philosophy and vision of the late Chairman Chun Byeong-nyeon, the founder of 강원 랜드 바카라.
Since its establishment in 1989, 강원 랜드 바카라 has been a pioneer in Korea’s biotechnology industry, becoming the first domestic company to introduce specific pathogen-free (SPF) laboratory animals. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the company further advanced the research infrastructure by introducing vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) space sterilization services in Korea, thereby contributing to the global standardization of biotechnology research environments.
In 2021, 강원 랜드 바카라 established Korea’s first privately operated new drug development cluster and launched the open laboratory platform ‘LAB CLOUD’, pioneering the implementation of open innovation in the domestic bioindustry. According to the company, more than 20 promising pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms are currently participating in LAB CLOUD, actively engaging in research and development (R&D), with numerous tangible outcomes already realized.
Since 2022, 강원 랜드 바카라 CEO Chun Hee-jung has spearheaded the LAB CLOUD initiative, playing a leading role in the development of a biotech platform grounded in open innovation. Upon assuming her role as CEO, she personally visited key European partners in to strengthen collaborative ties. Notably, she visited the headquarters of TECNIPLAST, an Italian company specializing in experimental animal facility solutions, where sha facilitated the introduction of the state-of-the-art Air Handling Unit (AHU) ‘ZEPHYR’ into the Korean market. This equipment was unveiled for the first time in Korea during the conference.
“Our company has maintained continuous participation in the KALAS conference and has consistently introduced the latest technologies and equipment aimed at building research infrastructure that meets global standards,” a 강원 랜드 바카라 official said. “This time, we have once again underscored the importance of a cutting-edge experimental environment by showcasing equipment that can be directly utilized by researchers in the field.”
“Amid the rapid transformation of the biotechnology industry, our company has already formulated and is actively implementing a forward-looking strategy centered on technological convergence and open innovation,” stated Chun Hee-jung, CEO of 강원 랜드 바카라. “By pursuing strategic collaborations with our partners, we are accelerating the integrated development of technologies while maximizing productivity and efficiency of new drug development. We will continue to lead the flow of change with execution capabilities that stay one step ahead of the market,” she added.