[Konkuk University] Konkuk University Holdings, Subsidiary StemExOne, Konkuk University Medical Center, and Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital Sign MOU

From left: Kang Rin-woo, Vice President of Konkuk University Holdings; Shin Jeong-eun, Director of the Clinical Trial Center at Konkuk University Medical Center; Ssang-Goo Cho, CEO of StemExOne; Cho Young-il, Vice President for Research at Konkuk University Medical Center; and Yoon Heon-young, Director of Konkuk University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital

Konkuk University Holdings and its subsidiary StemExOne signed a memorandum of understanding with Konkuk University Medical Center and Konkuk University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital to establish a framework for closer collaboration. A joint MOU signing ceremony was held on March 16.

Under the agreement, the participating organizations will leverage their respective resources and infrastructure to advance cutting-edge medical technologies, proactively respond to changes in related regulations and systems, and strengthen their institutional capabilities through practical collaboration.

Yoon Dong-yeol, CEO of Konkuk University Holdings, and Kang Rin-woo, Vice President, said, “Through this agreement, we aim to strengthen R&D and growth support for subsidiaries and university startups by connecting them with Konkuk University’s key strengths and outstanding infrastructure, including its university medical center and veterinary hospital. We also plan to establish a collaborative framework among the university, companies, and hospitals to generate meaningful synergies. We expect this partnership to contribute to greater technology commercialization at Konkuk University and the creation of successful business cases.”

Ssang-Goo Cho, CEO of StemExOne, said, “Konkuk University Holdings, its subsidiary StemExOne, Konkuk University Medical Center, and the veterinary hospital are all located within approximately 100 meters of one another. Through this MOU, we expect to conduct effective preclinical and clinical research on gene and cell therapies through close collaboration with the clinical support centers of Konkuk University Medical Center and Konkuk University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital.”

StemExOne was established in 2020 with the goal of addressing refractory diseases through the development of high-functionality stem cells and high-functionality exosome therapeutics.

The company is carrying out multiple government-funded R&D projects related to high-functionality stem cells and exosome therapeutics and has secured foundational technologies for the development of treatments targeting a range of age-related and inflammatory conditions, including lacrimal gland disorders such as dry eye disease, salivary gland disorders such as dry mouth, bladder diseases including interstitial cystitis, skin disorders, cartilage diseases, inflammatory diseases, and autoimmune disorders.

In particular, StemExOne plans to collaborate on preclinical and clinical studies for refractory disease therapeutics using its proprietary exosome-based drug delivery system (DDS) technology.