Professor Kwon Young-Ju Selected as ‘IP Star Scientist’ by the Ministry of Science and ICT N
- Date2026.04.28
- 243
Promoting Global Technology Transfer of Novel Anticancer Therapeutics Targeting Protein–Protein Interactions
Professor Kwon Young-Ju of the College of Pharmacy has been selected as an “IP Star Scientist,” a program hosted by the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology Commercialization under the Ministry of Science and ICT.
The IP Star Scientist Support Program for Technology Management Promotion aims to support outstanding university researchers in creating core intellectual property (IP) through IP advancement and strategic planning, as well as in generating commercialization outcomes such as technology marketing, brokerage, technology transfer, and startup creation. Professor Kwon was selected in recognition of both the commercialization competitiveness and growth potential of her research outcomes. Following future evaluations, she may receive up to KRW 1 billion in funding if she advances to the second phase of the program.
Professor Kwon possesses a technology platform for anticancer drug candidates based on protein–protein interaction (PPI) inhibitors. This technology is gaining attention as a next-generation therapeutic strategy targeting HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2)-positive breast cancer and KRAS (Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog) G13D-mutant colorectal cancer. It is an area of strong interest in the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries due to its innovative mechanism, which has the potential to overcome the limitations of existing treatments.
Last year, the technology was further refined through the “Bio Research Data Verification Support Program” of the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology Commercialization, securing valid data at the level of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP). This achievement simultaneously demonstrated both the reliability and marketability of the technology, establishing a solid foundation for global technology transfer.
This accomplishment is significant in that it demonstrates not only the academic excellence of the research outcomes but also their potential for IP-based commercialization. In particular, the Technology Commercialization Center at Ewha Womans University (Director Song Hyun-eui) played a key role by actively supporting the advancement of the technology and the establishment of a commercialization foundation. The center has systematically supported the market entry of promising technologies through full-cycle assistance, including the development of IP strategies, securing original patents, technology validation, and facilitating global technology transfer. Moving forward, the center plans to expand this achievement into subsequent stages of commercialization—such as industry collaboration, validation, investment attraction, and global partnering—by linking it with the Seoul RISE “Seoul-type BRIDGE” program and the “Global Industry–Academia Collaboration Leadership” initiative.
Jo William, Head of the Industry–Academic Cooperation Foundation, stated, “Centered on the Technology Commercialization Center, we will continue to expand an execution-oriented commercialization model that transforms researcher-driven excellence into market-oriented outcomes,” adding, “Through linkage with the Seoul-type BRIDGE program, we will strengthen support so that globally competitive technologies can lead to tangible contributions in industry and patient treatment.”
Professor Kwon Young-Ju remarked, “As the commercialization potential of our research has been recognized, we will further enhance the completeness of the technology and develop it into a globally competitive drug candidate,” adding, “Through industry–academia collaboration and global technology transfer, we aim to generate outcomes that can contribute to actual patient care.”