Washington, DC, USA & Seoul, Korea, September 29, 2014– Korea National Enterprise for Clinical Trials (KoNECT) and DIA (Drug Information Association) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a cooperative relationship and explore collaboration in development of training, education and knowledge exchange opportunities. Both organizations have an interest in delivering educational offerings through classroom and on-line training courses along with additional opportunities to further develop and advance innovations in therapeutic product development.

KoNECT was established in April, 2014 as a non-profit foundation by the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare for the purpose of furthering development of clinical trial infrastructure and capability, with an objective to establish Korea as a global clinical trial hub and preferred partner for drug development in the Asia Pacific region, as the continuum of the 1st KoNECT established in December 2007.

DIA was established in 1964 as a non-profit neutral forum to increase communication and collaboration in drug development in order to improve product safety and efficacy and to advance therapeutic successes. Today, DIA is the world’s largest professional association in the areas of health care product development and life cycle management of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, biotechnology and related products.

According to KoNECT’s President, Dr. Deborah Chee, “We are delighted to sign an MOU with DIA, reinforcing bilateral collaboration between DIA and Korea, with a common ultimate goal to foster innovation that will lead to the development of safe and effective medical products and therapies to patients. Together with DIA, KoNECT hopes to provide high-quality training to Korean clinical trial professionals and in the process, help to advance their competency.”

DIA’s Global Chief Executive Barbara Lopez Kunz agrees. “DIA is excited about the possibility of expanding our impact in Korea. This collaboration with KoNECT provides us with access to a network of partners and the opportunity to make a positive difference in helping to bring safe and effective health therapies to the Korean market and to the patients served.”

ABOUT KoNECT: KoNECT is a Korean nonprofit organization originally established in December 2007, solely funded by the Korean government in order to foster clinical trial capability in Korea and to build clinical trial infrastructure through the establishment of clinical trial centers, training and development of clinical trial professionals, and supporting research and development of new clinical trial technologies. In April 2014, KoNECT was transformed into a foundation funded mainly by the Korean government. KoNECT is committed to further development of Korea clinical trial infrastructure and capability to a global excellence level and strives for the vision to be a global clinical trial hub and preferred partner for global drug development, ultimately to contribute to the earlier access of patients to innovative treatments to be developed either in Korea or outside Korea. For more information, please visit www.kddf.org.

ABOUT DIA: DIA is a global community representing thousands of stakeholders working together to bring safe and effective products to patients. Our association creates unparalleled opportunities for regulators, innovators and influencers in the life cycle product development process to exchange knowledge and collaborate in a neutral setting. DIA is an independent, nonprofit organization with its global center in Washington, D.C., USA, and regional offices covering the Americas (Horsham, Pa., USA); Europe, Africa and the Middle East (Basel, Switzerland); and Asia (Tokyo, Mumbai and Beijing). For more information, visit www.diahome.org.