User:SYParkOfBioneer/sandbox Han-Oh Park
South Korean biochemist and biotechnology entrepreneur
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Han-Oh Park (Korean: 박한오; born May 16, 1962) is a South Korean biochemist and entrepreneur. He is the founder, CEO, and Chairman of Bioneer Corporation, a biotechnology company headquartered in South Korea.[1]
Han-Oh Park | |
|---|---|
박한오 | |
| Born | May 16, 1962 Inje, Gangwon Province, Republic of Korea |
| Alma mater | Seoul National University (B.S. Chemistry), KAIST (M.S. Chemistry, Ph.D. Chemistry), Chungnam National University (Honorary Doctorate in Entrepreneurship) |
| Occupations | Biochemist, Entrepreneur |
| Known for | Founder of Bioneer Corporation |
His research focuses on oligonucleotide synthesis, molecular diagnostics, RNA interference therapeutics, and probiotics research.[2][3][4]
Education
Han-Oh Park received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Seoul National University in 1984, followed by a Master of Science (1986) and a Doctor of Philosophy (1992) in Chemistry from KAIST. His research focused on oligonucleotide synthesis and enzyme engineering.[5][6] He also received an Honorary Doctorate in Entrepreneurship from Chungnam National University in South Korea.[7]
Career
From 1986 to 1992, prior to founding Bioneer Corporation, Han-Oh Park worked as a researcher at the Genetic Engineering Center (now Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB)), where he focused on genetic and diagnostic technologies.[8]
In 1992, Han-Oh Park founded Bioneer Corporation. According to South Korea's Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI), Bioneer was Korea’s first bio-venture company.[9] In a 2023 publication, Problem Solver, Park stated his motivation for founding the company was to localize biotechnology research equipment and support South Korea’s biotechnology industry development.[10]
Since then, Bioneer has diversified its operations to include life sciences, molecular diagnostics, RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics, cosmeceuticals, and the microbiome.[11]
Han-Oh Park contributed to the establishment of subsidiaries, including AceBiome (Founder & CEO: Myeong Hee Kim, 2017), which focuses on probiotics, siRNAgen Therapeutics (Founder & CEO: Han-Oh Park, 2019), which specializes in RNAi-based therapeutics.[12]
Research and Achievement
Han-Oh Park holds patents in various biotechnology fields, including gene analysis, gene synthesis, drug development, probiotics, and cosmeceuticals. He has also published scientific articles related to these areas.[13]
Commercialization of Genetic and Molecular Diagnostics
Since 1992, Han-Oh Park has commercialized biotechnology platforms through Bioneer Corporation, including oligonucleotide synthesis, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), sequencing, small interfering RNA (siRNA), and microRNA (miRNA) technologies.[14][15][16] These technologies are based on fundamental scientific discoveries, some of which have been recognized with Nobel Prizes in Chemistry and Medicine.
His commercialization of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technology supported the development of South Korea's molecular diagnostics capabilities.[17][18][4]
Development of siRNA Therapeutics Platform Technology
Han-Oh Park is listed as the principal inventor of the Self-Assembled-Micelle inhibitory RNA (SAMiRNA) platform,[19][20] an RNA interference (RNAi) technology aimed at improving the delivery and stability of small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapeutics.[21][22]
As CEO of siRNAgen Therapeutics, he leads the company’s drug development programs, notably advancing SRN001, an siRNA-based candidate targeting cancer and fibrotic diseases.[23][24][25]
His research has extended to cosmetic applications, including topical scalp care formulations using SAMiRNA technology, as described in peer-reviewed studies.[26]
Development of Probiotic Strain
From 1999, Han-Oh Park led the development of Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17, a probiotic strain isolated from human breast milk.[27] Clinical studies have reported that it can reduce body weight, visceral fat, waist circumference, and body mass index (BMI) in obese adults.[28]
The strain has been officially recognized by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for its body fat reduction functionality.[29] It holds patents in over 10 countries as a probiotic with anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects.[30]
The strain has been commercialized by AceBiome and is available in international markets.[31][32]
Awards and honors
- Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit (2021) – awarded by the government of the Republic of Korea in recognition of contributions to molecular diagnostics and export competitiveness.[3]
- POSCO TJ Park Prize, Technology Prize (2023) – POSCO TJ Park Foundation; awarded for contributions to technology development and commercialization advancing Korea’s bio industry.[1]
- FACS Award for Distinguished Contribution to Economic Advancement (2025) – Federation of Asian Chemical Societies; awarded for outstanding contributions to industrial and economic development in the Asia-Pacific region.[4]