About Us

Vision :
An Integrated Research Platform for Novel Target and Lead Discovery

The Medicinal Bioconvergence Research Center of Yonsei University (or Biocon) has set a challenge to establish an “innovative research platform for drug discovery” that can significantly reduce the time and cost while improving the success probability of drug discovery.

Among the many different stages required for drug development, Biocon focuses on the “identification and validation of novel drug targets”. Although well-validated druggable targets are critical determinants for the success of drug discovery, target discovery is typically a function that pharma or biotech industry launch in-house, because it involves much basic science and there are no standard operation procedures for this process. Therefore, druggable targets have to be provided by the researchers in academia and public sectors. Biocon was established to fill the gap between academia and industry by maturing potentially druggable targets.

The identification of novel targets involves a broad spectrum of research activity from in-depth basic biology to translation. The strength of Biocon is based on the integration of biology and chemistry teams combined with cutting-edge convergence technologies. Through this fully united research teamwork, Biocon is aiming to become the world’s first and best target factory, providing innovative targets to the pharmaceutical industry.

“Innovative research platform for drug discovery”

Initiation : Searching for Novel Targets

The need for new drugs is ever increasing due to the surge in diseases such as cancer, diabetes and dementia that are mainly caused by extended life span. However, the number of newly approved drugs is continuously decreasing, giving a crisis not only for drug industry but also eventually for human health. In 2010, the Korean Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST) launched the Global Frontier Project, targeted at solving global challenges in major R&D areas. The Medicinal Bioconvergence Research Center (Biocon) was initiated as one of the three projects with the aim of resolving difficulties during the development of novel drug discovery. This project will proceed for an initial nine years from 2010 to 2019, and is divided into three stages (1st: 2 years, 2nd: 3 years, 3rd: 4 years). With the financial support of about 140 million dollars and a projected time-line of 9 years, Biocon has leveraged a unique capability to discover and validate molecular pathways and targets at a level that is possible at few commercial enterprises.

 Focused Subject & Pipeline

Biocon focuses on human aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs) and their interacting proteins as our primary target space of interest, and explores their potential to address diverse human diseases. These enzymes emerged early in evolution and catalytically link their cognate amino acids to tRNAs for protein synthesis. For this reason, ARSs have been traditionally considered as housekeeping proteins solely dedicated to protein synthesis. However, recent new findings from Biocon and other groups world-wide on the novel functions of ARSs are rapidly changing the classical view of these enzymes. Indeed ARSs are emerging as central coordinators linking cell fate determination processes with protein synthesis.

Oncology and other complex diseases
 TargetPotential indicationsStatusInfo
Pharma-02-Neo-pepNeo-pep
- A Peptide of Human Origin for Skin and Scalp Health
Tissue Regeneration
Alopecia
Pre-candidate
Pharma-03-GRSAnti-tumorigenic GRS-derives Peptides
- Novel Therapeutics for Kidney and Lung Cancer
CancerLead Optimization
Pharma-04-MRSInhibitors of MRS
- Novel Therapeutics for p16INK4a- Negative Cancers
CancerHit identified
Pharma-05-AIMP2-DX2Anti-tumorigenic AIMP2-DX2 Inhibitors
- Novel Therapeutics for Small Lung Cancer
Neural DiseaseLead Optimization
Pharma-06-KRSAnti-metastatic KRS Inhibitors
- Novel Therapeutics for Merastatic Triple-negative Breast Cancer
MetastasisPre-candidate
Pharma-07-TRSAnti-tumor Inhibitor of TRS
- Promising Strategy for Breast and Pancreatic Cancer
AngiogenesisHit discovery
Pharma-08-LRSNovel LRS Inhibitors
- Anti-tumor Agents for Colorectal Cancer
Cancer
Metabolic Diseases
Lead Optimization
Pharma-09-PRSAnti-tumorigenic PRS Inhibitors
- Novel Therapeutics for Pancreatic and Lung Cancer
Fibrosis
Immune Diseases
Pre-candidate

Our work

We are a fairly small, flexible design studio that designs for print and web. We work flexibly with clients to fulfill their design needs. Whether you need to create a brand completely from scratch or are looking for a design refresh, we are confident that you and your team will be satisfied with the results.

Intergration Core Group

  • All
  • Research Director
  • Support Headquarters
  • Practical Business
  • AM
  • BioBank
  • CellBio2
  • DrugScreening
  • GRS
  • IT Infra Management


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    Translation & Drug Development

    With excellent research achievements during last five years of Biocon, it is time to put in place a flexible and professional management group that can assess, decide and implement decisions for downstream development that are independent of, but in co-operation with, the underlying scientific mission of Biocon. The action of this group needs to be focused and operated at the standard of global Pharmas since Biocon’s assets in the pipeline are all “first-in-class”. In light of the imperative to move programs from the academic to a translational setting, Biocon has established a TRAnslation and DEvelopment Group(TRADE), comprised of experienced professionals from the global drug development industry.

    The TRADE group, led by the Biocon’s Chief Business Officer, has a mandate to take Biocon’s inventions and capabilities to global drug development partners. Currently, the TRADE group carries out rigorous assessment of internal Biocon programs with a particular emphasis on matching the target discovery and validation progress of Biocon with unmet market needs or opportunities.

    Biocon Alliance Company



    Incheon Office (Main)

    • Address : Bldg. 511, POSCO-Green, International Campus, Yonsei University, 85, SongdoGwahak-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, 21983, Republic of Korea
                     인천광역시 연수구 송도과학로 85 연세대학교 국제캠퍼스 511동 포스코그린

    Gangnam Office

    • Address : 5th floor, Gangnam Severance Visa Screening Center, 235, Dogok-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul                                                                                                                                서울특별시 강남구 도곡로 235 강남세브란스 비자검진센터 5층

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