[EUROSTARS 2] A Korean company is seeking R&D partners expert in Bio or Pharmaceuticals industry to develop medical patch which is based on the company’s self-developed soluble micro-needle technology

Even though the method of injection has been developed to overcome the limitations of taking medicines, this also has raised various problems. For this reason, many experts have conducted research to come up with its substitutions and eventually have developed TDDS (Transdermal Drug Delivery System) technology. The microneedle technology has been developed as part of the TDDS technology, and so as the dissolving microneedle method. Based on this technology, TDDS, cosmetic patch-type products have been developed and produced, and as a further step, medical patches utilizing this technology is under worldwide study for development. Some factors determining the performance of dissolving microneedle are intensity, absorption rate, loading capacity per unit area and precise control. Along with this trend, a research team of the Korean company has been studying the microneedle for many years and succeeded in the commercialization of the soluble micro-needle patch for cosmetic purposes. Various products have been developed according to customers' needs and different skin type, and sold both on and off-line in compliance with international standards. (Patents registered in 7 countries including the USA, China, and EU) Based on their approved soluble micro-needle technology, the company is currently looking for partners to develop medical patches and eventually expand their fields to BIO.  R&D goal: The medical dissolving micro-needle to be developed should at least reach the level of pre-clinical trials through this R&D cooperation, and responsibilities for each entity will be assorted as below: - Korean company: In charge of developing dissolving micro-needle - Potential partner: 1) Should be expert in Bio and Pharmaceutical industries to provide the drug that’ll be used in medical patches to be developed 2) Should be capable of controlling medication dosage ratio, and effectiveness verification The company is planning to use the government's R&D fund by applying Eurostars 2 in the second half of 2019, thus looking for European partners in either bio or pharmaceuticals industry. EOIs will be opened until the 31st of August. Preferred partners can both be a company or a research institution, and the expected R&D period is a maximum of 3 years.