University of Pittsburgh Enters Partnership with Korean Medical Device Group

PITTSBURGH—This week, the University of Pittsburgh and the Korea Medical Devices Industrial Cooperative Association entered an agreement that each entity expects will lead to advances in research and innovation.

Rebecca Bagley, the University’s vice chancellor for economic partnerships, along with her Korean counterpart, Chairman Jai-Wha Lee, signed the agreement Wednesday in Washington, D.C. 

“We’re excited to enter this partnership since we feel that our collaboration could further strengthen Pitt’s excellent biotech programs and stands as just one of what we hope to be many external partnerships for Pitt,” said Bagley. 

Over the course of the next three years, Pitt and KMDICA will explore opportunities for collaboration in research, technical consultation, technical assistance, manufacturing, and the application of medical-device technologies as well as jointly host seminars in Korea and the United States to advance research and the development of medical products. KMDICA represents 450 member companies.

“I am very pleased about our new partnership with the University of Pittsburgh,” said Lee, chairman of KMDICA. “I believe that this relationship will present greater opportunities for Korea’s medical community to expand its research with clinical partners at the University of Pittsburgh. We are also looking forward to growing our medical exchange program with such a prestigious institution.”

The University of Pittsburgh is actively searching for external partnerships as part of its strategic focus for the University. 

“A top priority of Chancellor [Patrick] Gallagher is to expand and strengthen Pitt’s capacity to partner,” Bagley added. “The changing higher-education landscape requires research universities to seek out partnerships, and we’re looking forward to the impact this agreement with KMDICA can have for the University and Pittsburgh.” 

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10/15/15/klf/jm