Dec 19 2009
Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ), GE Healthcare and Bio Research
Complex (BRC) announced today the signing of a five year plan to invest
in the establishment of the “GE Global Ubiquitous Health Research and
Development Center” (GE Global u-Health R&D Center).
Under the agreement with IFEZ, GE Healthcare, a global leader in
transformational medical technologies and services, and BRC, a respected
provider of gene analysis technology, will use the facility for research
and development activities related to healthcare IT solutions.
“The agreement is a perfect example of a collaboration between the
Korean government, a local company like BRC and a global company like
GE,” said Sang-soo Ahn, the mayor of the Incheon Metropolitan City in
which IFEZ is located. “The establishment of the GE Global u-Health R&D
Center will be a triggering event in the expansion of IFEZ’s IT and
healthcare infrastructure and the buildup of a research network. We’re
hoping IFEZ can position itself as the world’s premier project site that
best realizes ubiquitous-Health programs, going forward,” added Ahn.
Healthymagination is GE’s $6 billion commitment to improve health care
access, affordability and quality through advanced technologies,
research and development.
The Korean government and IFEZ see the establishment of the center as an
opportunity to gain advanced clinical knowledge, build professional
skills and create jobs through healthcare IT, which is a mainstream
green industry. Also, the facilitation of convergence between healthcare
technologies and related industries will contribute to the advancement
of the domestic IT industry.
Vishal Wanchoo, president and CEO of GE Healthcare IT commented, “The
Korean government’s active support and collaboration in u-health related
research and development played heavily into our decision to
participate. We’re excited about the possibilities ahead.”
“Our healthcare IT technology and products will play a pivotal role in
driving our healthymagination vision,” said Karim Karti, president and
CEO of GE Healthcare Korea. “We also hope this collaboration can help
advance Korea’s healthcare IT industry, acting as a catalyst for
professional relationships and job creation.”
“The combination of our achievement in the analysis of Korean gene
information and state-of-the-art healthcare IT solutions could lead to
personalized healthcare service that reflects an individual’s genetic
makeup,” said Uhn Lee, President of BRC. “When an individual’s gene and
disease information is used as part of his or her health management,”
Lee added, “it could someday lead to accurate diagnosis and effective
treatment even before the actual onset of a disease.”
In 2007, GE Healthcare established its first Asia EHR (electronic health
records) R&D Center in Korea. It is envisioned that its skilled
researchers, clinical expertise and technology will become a part of the
research and operation of the GE Global u-Health R&D Center.
http://www.gehealthcare.com/