Australian CRO Novotech has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Kyungpook National University Hospital (KNUH), furthering its partnership strategy in South Korea.
The deal will see the CRO run trials at several KNUH institutions, including the recently opened Advanced Clinical Trials Center, in partnership with its site management organization (SMO), Acrostar. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Novotech said the partnership creates a framework for studies, explaining that early-stage clinical trials will be carried-out at the Advanced Clinical Trials Center. The KNUH’s hospital team will run late-stage clinical trials.
Yooni Kim, managing director for Asia-Pacific at Novotech, told Clinical Insider, “Novotech’s site partnerships are structured to enhance clinical trial feasibility, start-up, subject enrollment, quality, and efficiency for our biotech and pharma clients.
“As part of our standard clinical trial operations, Novotech compensates hospitals and investigators for eligible services and procedures conducted during the course of a trial, in accordance with regulatory and ethical guidelines rather than from the partnership itself. These partnerships often include mutual commitments to improve startup timelines like faster site budget and contract review, support trial activation readiness, meet subject enrollment target, ensure site operations quality and compliance, make site resources available per request for Novotech trials,” she continued.
Kim emphasized, “The goal is to build a collaborative framework that benefits patients, accelerates access to innovative therapies, and ensures high-quality clinical trial execution.”
The agreement comes a few months after the Australian contractor formed a clinical trial-focused partnership with the Wonju Severance Christian Hospital in Seoul.
Novotech also has previously forged similar deals with the Ulsan University Hospital and Seoul National University Hospital.
Regenerative Bio Act
The partnerships come as Korea aims to cement its position as a medical research hub. Recent amendments to the 2020 Advanced Regenerative Bio Act have expanded access to advanced therapies in clinical trials and beyond.
Kim cited these changes as a motivation, telling us, “Novotech anticipates that the recent amendments to Korea’s Advanced Regenerative Bio Act will further enhance the country’s appeal as a destination for clinical trials—particularly for cell and gene therapies and other advanced therapies.
“The amendments improve Korea’s position as a competitive hub for innovative trials. For biotech sponsors, this means faster access to regulatory guidance, increased alignment between R&D and clinical practice, and a stronger infrastructure for conducting complex trials,” she said.