The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority (IFEZA) and Incheon Technopark announced on the 16th that they operated the 'Smart-X Series Demonstration Bridge Program' last year, providing demonstration resources including space, infrastructure/platforms, data, and experts to 21 startups, thereby supporting early commercialization of their products and services.
The program leverages the technologies held by startups and the demonstration resources of public-private cooperation partners such as Incheon Port Authority, Incheon Urban Corporation, Celltrion, and Hanlim Pharmaceutical to commercialize startup products and services.
The three companies selected for the Hanlim Pharmaceutical program — RudaCure, Renatus, and Mbiome Therapeutics — achieved results including 12 new hires, KRW 750 million in revenue (provisional), and 3 overseas patents.
RudaCure established a pipeline for developing an ocular implant platform for wet age-related macular degeneration treatment RCI005 and supported follow-up research; Renatus laid the groundwork for developing RN-005 for degenerative retinal disease treatment; and Mbiome Therapeutics established a large-scale production process and mass-produced LAB-pc001, the raw material for a microbiome-based Crohn's disease treatment.
Jang Byung-hyeon, Head of Planning and Coordination at IFEZA, stated, "This year we will work to secure additional cooperation partners for the Demonstration Bridge Program, advance the entire city as a free demonstration zone, and provide substantial support to help startups commercialize their products and services."