• at the occasion of President Emmanuel Macron State Visit to Korea and Japan

• 6 Joint Strategic Technology Programs (incl. Quantum Drug Discovery, Surgical Robotics, Microbiome, Preventive Care for Super-Aged Society)

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[Seoul, Republic of Korea], [03/04/2026] – The Joint European Disruptive Initiative (JEDI), the European ARPA and the K-HEALTH MIRAE Initiative of the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI) have signed a strategic cooperation on high-impact, challenge-driven health research and technology.

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This announcement comes on the occasion of President Emmanuel Macron’s State Visit to Korea and Japan to pioneer disruptive innovation in bio-health and deeptech, with the intention to launch advanced research and technology programs that address pressing health challenges in rapidly aging societies, while fostering global cooperation in biomedical innovation.

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The two parties agreed on Six Joint Strategic Technology Programs:

1. Innovation in drug discovery technology leveraging quantum technologies

2. Development of humanoid physical AI surgical assistance robotics

3. Development of personalized services for preventing and mitigating cognitive decline

4. AI-based preventive care services for frailty prevention

5. Microbiome (including soil–human microbiome linkage)

6. Bio- and new materials (including marine-based materials)

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The two institutions will cooperate in two main areas: strategic technology anticipation and joint strategic technology programs.

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Kyung Sun, Director General of K-HEALTH MIRAE, stated: “Cooperation with JEDI, which maintains partnerships with the United States, Israel, the United Kingdom and Japan, will serve as an important stepping stone for K-bio-health to grow into a central pillar of the global technology alliance. Through the '6 Joint Strategic Technology Programs,' we aim to achieve visible outcomes, enhance global competitiveness in the bio-health sector, and lead future core technologies."

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André Loesekrug-Pietri, Chairman & Scientific Director of JEDI, added: “We are excited to join forces and share our moonshot R&D expertise Wirth K-Health MIRAE, recognizing the immense potential of combining our strengths to push the frontiers of lifesciences, launch joint programs, create strategic advantages, and solve some of society’s greatest challenges.”