Japan Association for Cellular Agriculture (JACA) Signs MoU in the Cellular Food Field with South Korea’s Gyeongbuk Technopark Medical Covergence Textile Center — Accelerating Japan–Korea Collaboration by Leveraging the Regulatory Sandbox Zone and Research Support Hub

Japan Association for Cellular Agriculture (JACA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gyeongbuk Technopark Medical Covergence Textile Center in South Korea to promote cooperation toward the development, evaluation, and safe social implementation of cellular food technologies. Leveraging the strengths of Korea’s designated regulatory sandbox zone for cellular foods andthe research-support infrastructure operated by Gyeongbuk Technopark Medical Covergence Textile Center, JACA will work with its Korean partner to drive discussions and industrial advancement in cellular foods across Asia and on a global scale.

JACA has hereby concluded an MoU with Gyeongbuk Technopark Medical Covergence Textile Center.

This MoU was established to align and strengthen the mutual goals of both parties and to build a cooperative partnership aimed at promoting the development, evaluation, and safe implementation of cellular food technologies.

Since its establishment in August 1998, Gyeongbuk Technopark has served as a core hub of innovation in the Gyeongbuk region, leading regional economic revitalization. It has supported the development of local industries and the growth of companies, acting as a central node in industry–academia–research–government networks in Gyeongsangbuk-do, and has identified and nurtured promising technology-based enterprises. Through continuous leadership in regional innovation and industrial advancement, Gyeongbuk Technopark has made significant contributions to the development of the Gyeongbuk region as a dedicated supporter and guide for corporate growth.

The region where the Center is located has been designated by the Korean government as a regulatory sandbox zone for cellular foods, where advanced initiatives toward real-world implementation are being promoted. In addition, the Food Tech Research Support Center now being developed in Uiseong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do is scheduled to open in 2027 as Korea’s first research hub specializing in cell-cultured foods. The planned facility, covering approximately 2,660 m², is supported by public investment of around KRW 14.5 billion. Operated by Gyeongbuk Technopark, the Center will provide full-cycle support for the industrialization of cellular foods, ranging from process development and scale-up for mass production to pilot manufacturing, safety evaluation, and assistance with regulatory approvals and licensing. It also plans to build a cellular agriculture system capable of producing up to 100 kg of cultivated meat per year and is expected to support the creation of approximately 60 new jobs. With multiple companies already expressing interest in locating there and collaboration with nearby research institutions underway, the area is drawing attention as a leading cluster for cellular food implementation, supported both institutionally and scientifically.

Through strengthened cooperation between Japan and Korea, both parties aim to play a leading role in advancing discussions on cellular foods not only within Asia but also on a global scale.

The key areas of cooperation are as follows:

• Exchange of knowledge and insights on relevant policies
• Collaboration in academic research and educational initiatives
• Joint efforts in social communication, including event co-organization/sponsorship and outreach

JACA will continue to dedicate itself to communication and collaboration not only within Japan but also with overseas companies and organizations, further promoting international partnerships toward the sound development and safe social implementation of the cellular food industry.