Fine dust,

and the world in our smartphones.

 

The modern eye constantly suffers from dryness.

 

We found the answer

in the leaves of the persimmon tree.

 

We discovered compounds with powerful

antioxidant properties that relieve dry eyes.

 

This led to Korea’s first dry eye health supplement

approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.

 

A remarkable discovery found in nearby nature.

 

The leading cause of elderly blindness,

dry macular degeneration.

 

Abnormalities in the macula result in vision loss

and distorted sight.

 

Until now, the only treatment

was an eye injection.

 

But now,

a new path opens to end that fear.

 

A new drug capable of treating with a single eye drop,

born from our hands.

 

Through technology transfer,

the era of curing eyes with drops, not injections,

lies right before our eyes.

 

Achievements such as these are made possible

through the efforts of KIST Gangneung Institute of Natural Products.

Driven by the promise to bring happiness to humanity through nature.

 

Like penicillin from mold,

and Tamiflu from star anise.

 

Nature holds great power,

designed over millions of years,

that synthetic materials can never imitate.

 

Unlocking the immense potential

in the natural surroundings of Gangwon,

and developing blockbuster new drugs derived from natural products.

 

Solving humanity’s toughest challenges.

This is our mission.

 

Founded in 1996,

KIST Gangneung was built on the belief

that combining Gangwon Province’s pristine nature

with KIST’s science could make Gangneung a hub for life sciences.

 

Now, powered by natural product big data,

we use AI to discover candidate materials

with over 50% higher accuracy.

 

From mass production to commercialization,

we lead the full process

as a global hub for natural product drug development.

 

The Natural Product Drug Development Division

built an AI-based platform that allows the development

of new drugs from innovative natural compounds.

This includes those which target and remove

only diseased or aged cells, while preserving healthy ones,

treating macular degeneration and cancer alike.

 

With our self-developed AI model,

KIST Gangneung achieved two consecutive victories

in the global CACHE Challenge.

 

In preparation for an aging society,

we develop treatments for age-related diseases,

creating a healthier, more vibrant future.

 

The mass production of natural materials

is also our mission.

 

Through smart-farm-based cultivation,

we ensure stable, uniform,

large-scale production of natural products.

 

Robots harvest the crops,

and AI controls the greenhouse environment.

 

Even amid climate change,

sustainable agriculture continues,

building the foundation for the future of farming.

 

These achievements are not ours alone.

 

In addition to technology transfers, and collaboration,

we collaborate with the local community to cultivate talent

 

which can lead the way for natural product bio research.

 

Working together with local partners, we support

 

the growth of natural products as seeds for the pharmaceutical and bio industries.

 

In the near future, Gangwon’s industrial map will transform

into a national bioindustry hub,

with KIST Gangneung at its center.

 

We are setting new standards for the natural product industry,

and through the Gangwon Natural Products Industrialization Innovation Center,

 

turning research achievements into real industries.

 

KIST Gangneung is more than a research institute.

We support local industries, create jobs,

and drive the regional economy forward.

 

Through AI, smart farms,

and a vast natural product library,

we are transforming Gangwon’s resources

into global competitiveness.

 

Finding paths in nature.

Opening tomorrow through technology.

 

Here lies the vision

of a happier future for humanity.