UNIST Team Awarded Research Grant from the Circle Foundation

Circle Foundation Funds UNIST Team to Develop New Treatment for Nontuberculous Mycobacterial (NTM) Lung Disease

The Circle Foundation announced the selection of Professor Joo H. Kang’s research team at UNIST for its 2025 Technology R&D Support Program, launching a major initiative to develop new treatments for nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease. A grant agreement ceremony was held on January 13 at the Circle Foundation Open Challenge Lab in Seoul, attended by donor Cheol-soo Ahn, Foundation Chairman Soon Heung Chang, Professor Kang, and Dr. Sung Jin Park. The Foundation emphasized the growing need for innovative therapies as NTM cases continue to rise and current treatments require lengthy, multi-drug regimens with high relapse and side-effect rates.

Professor Kang presented his 2025 research strategy, outlining next-generation therapeutic mechanisms based on NTM biology and the potential for translation into clinical development. Participants discussed research collaboration and public health innovation following the presentation.

Since 2020, the Circle Foundation has supported science and technology initiatives aimed at addressing global challenges in public health, cybersecurity, and climate issues. Including this new project, the Foundation has provided 5.02 billion KRW in research funding to 14 institutions. Established in 2012 through Cheol-soo Ahn’s 150 billion KRW endowment, the Foundation continues to invest in scientific innovation and talent development through programs such as TEU MED and the CircleUp AI Academy.

*The news text was generated by ChatGPT using the information available at https://v.daum.net/v/20251215133015176.