Session 1. Processing of Lignocellulosic Biomass for Biorefinery

With increasing concerns over shortage of oil supply, serious works are under progress to develop alternative routes to produce fuels and chemicals from renewable biomass. Lignocellulosic materials are regarded as a promising or an ultimate feedstock because of the cheap cost, abundance and renewable property. However, to utilize the lignocellulosic biomass as raw material, efficient and cost-effective saccharification technology should be developed which is dependent upon the proper pretreatment of biomass. In this session, recent progress in the pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass is introduced. Major effort in three countries, Korea, USA and Japan, will be overviewed.

Chair : Jin-Seok LEE, Principal Researcher, Korea Institute of Energy Research

Session 1. Micro/Nano-fluidics Technology of UK/KOREA

Recent years have seen considerable progress in the development of microfabricated systems for use in the chemical and biological sciences. Much development has been driven by a need to perform rapid measurements on small sample volumes in areas such as chemical synthesis, DNA/Protein analysis, drug discovery, pharmaceutical screening, proteomics and medical diagnostics. However, at a more primary level, interest in miniaturized analytical systems has been stimulated by the fact that physical processes can be more easily controlled and harnessed when instrumental dimensions are reduced to the micrometre scale. For example, it is well recognized that when compared to macroscale instruments, micro/nano-fluidic systems engender a number of distinct advantages with respect to speed, analytical throughput, reagent usage, process control, automation and operational and configurational flexibility. In general terms, such systems define new operational paradigms and provide predictions about how molecular synthesis and analysis might be revolutionized in the coming years. This session will introduce some of the key features and benefits of micro/nano-fluidic systems and describe the use of such devices for performing ultra-fast biological and chemical analysis. Specifically, the following areas will be highlighted with respect to relevant chemical and biological applications. In this session several approaches will be described regarding the development and application of nanofluidic devices for single molecule binding studies in UK and KOREA.

Chair : Soo-Ik CHANG, Professor, Chungbuk Nat'l Univ.

Session 1. Biocompatable Materials for Medical Implants
                (Including Injectable Material and Nanofiber Coating)

With the growing needs for superior implants, prosthetics, and scaffolds, biomaterials have become a highly explored field. These artificial materials are an integral part of this research effort, allowing for the study of cell attachment, growth, differentiation, functioning, viability, and matrix degradation. Biomaterials must fulfill 3 criteria; they must be biofunctional (suitable physical and chemical properties for replacing the tissue), biocompatible (no negative interaction between materials and biological environment), and inert to the biological environment or degradable by the system.

Chair : Jong Chul PARK, Associate Professor, Yonsei Univ.

Session 1. Special Speech

Chair : Soo-Ki KIM, Director, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Yonsei Univ.

Session 1. Optimization of Drug Delivery Efficiency

A major challenge to pharmaceutical scientists in new drug development is in the optimization of drug delivery properties to improve the therapeutic effectiveness of drugs. Many studies have supported that poor pharmacokinetic properties heavily contribute to compound failure or at a minimum, difficulty of the compound to progress through drug development. Therefore, in this session, several case studies are illustrated to enlighten the current approaches for improving oral drug delivery efficiency and ultimately for maximizing the therapeutic benefits of drugs.

Chair : In Koo CHUN, Professor, Dongduk Women's Univ.

Session 1. Regulatory Update

Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) continuously improves its regulations and guideline to secure the efficacy and safety of drug products. Recent enforcement of the validation requirement is evaluated as a essential step to prepare Korea-US FTA and to export the drug products to advanced countries. Therefore, it is very important to update recent development in the KFDA regulations. In this session a plan of KFDA for CTD (Common Technical Document) which ICH had implemented in its State Parties, Global GMP training, and regulations of cell bank control and validation for biologics manufacturing.

Chair : Chan Wha KIM, Professor, Korea Univ.

Session 1. Special Speech

This is to show the strategy of an exemplary research-based global leading pharmaceutical company in successful business development by collaboration and partnerships with smaller companies with innovative technologies.

Chair : Kyu Chan KIM, Science Ambassador, Merck & Co., Inc.

Session 1. Preparation of successful licensing

This session is to re-visit on the expeditions of innovative technology development consistent of multidisciplinary interactions and collaborations, in the highly competitive environment.

Chair : Chris Soo-Sung LEE, Managing Director, Roberts Mitani Advisor LLC.

Session 1. Recent Advances in Therapeutic Antibody R&D

As a major part of recombinant protein therapeutics, antibody therapeutics have made a remarkable progress of industry while the whole pharmaceutical market has been in stagnant growth rate. First session will provide latest updates in global R&D in antibody therapeutics regarding engineering antibodies for improved efficacy, and the therapeutic significance of human antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies and novel targets discovery will be discussed and the development of monoclonal antibody for the treatment of B-cell Malignancy will be presented as an example. The last topic in the first session is R&D of therapeutic antibodies which include past experience, current trend and future direction of this field.

Chair : Se-Ho KIM, Research Director, Readearch Center, Green Cross Corp.

Session 1. Research and Development of Botanical Drug

Extensive experience and abundant clinical data have been accumulated in traditional Korean medicine for thousands of years. Basic and clinical research in traditional Korean medicine (TKM) constitutes a potentially rich source for drug discovery and development. How can we use the information of TKM for the development of new drug? The strategy of botanical new drug development from TKM will be presented by Dr. Kim. Strategy of new phytomedicine development have been derived based upon various experinces of preclinical and clinical develpments in industry, Dong-A Pharm, and will be presented by Dr. Son. Research studies in all fields of medicine are known as clinical trials. These studies are conducted with an eye to the future, in hopes of finding safer or more effective methods to screen for, prevent, diagnose, or treat a variety of diseases. However, botanical new drug approval process is little bit simpler for the approval by the national regulatory authority. Therefore strategic approach for clinical trials for natural Products reduces time and cost of Clinical trials for botanical new drug and dietary supplement which will be presented by Dr. Chae.

Chair : Eun Bang LEE, Professor Emeritus, College of Pharmacy, Seoul Nat'l Univ.

Session 1. Enhancing Competitiveness in Multinational Clinical Trials

As the pharmaceutical market becomes globalized, more countries from around the world are participating in clinical trials. While previous trials were confined to Europe and North America, Asia has become an important player in international trials. Not only does Asia have good science and relative low costs, but also the potential to grow into one of the largest pharmaceutical markets. Although India and China are strong competitors, Korea is fast growing to become a clinical trial hub. In this session, a overview of the drug development process will be provided with considerations on how Korea should enhance its competitiveness.

Chair : Dong Ho LEE, Professor, Asan Medical Center