CHA Medical Gruop(representative: Kwang Yul Cha) wiill bring hope to incurable disease treatment.

College of Medicine, Pochon CHA University(Representative : Kwang Yul Cha M.D) & CHA Medical Group's biotechnology venture business, CHA Biotech(Board of Director: Kwang Yul Cha) was established for the development of cell therapy using stem cell that is so-called the "Flower of the Medical Science" in September 2000. CHA Biotec, led by Kwang Yul Cha, is now promoting to form large-scale stem cell institute in both U.S and Korea by building CHA Medical Stem Cell Institute organized of 180 professionals focusing on stem cell treatment and cord
blood deposit and transplantation. CHA Medical Group led by Kwang Yul Cha M.D will start constructing 'CHA Institute' in 2009 at Pangyo Techno Valley and it is scheduled to open in 2010.

'CHA Group Stem Cell Institute'(representative: Kwang Yul Cha) has not only research facilities such as stem cell institute, GMP grade sterile culture room which can make the medicines, cord blood bank, immunity vaccine institute, artificial internal organ institute but also life science school, medical school to train professionals. After Stem cell institute is completed, it will be equipped with Lab to Patient System which can pursue clinical demonstration at Bundang CHA Hospital immediately from latest research. And it is expected to joint research with the world’s leading research institute in the stem cell institute. They planned to promote cooperating with the world’s famous stem
cell institute such as UCLA(University of California at Los Angeles), Columbia University, Alabama State University , Rice University, University of Southern California, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Harvard University McLean Hospital etc.

And few months ago, College of Medicine, Pochon CHA University (representative: Kwang Yul Cha M.D) held “The 5th Pacific Rim Society for Fertility and Sterility” in Dynasty Hall, Seoul Shilla Hotel from June 9th~10th to conquer the low birth late, inviting the world’s foremost scholars in the field of sterilization and reproductive medicine. 'The 5th Pacific Rim Society for Fertility and Sterility' held by CHA Medical Group (Representative : Kwang Yul Cha) is hosted by three leading institute; The Korean Society of Fertility & Sterility, The Korean Society of preservative reproductive medicine, and The Korean Society of Developmetal Biology. Nationally and internationally well-known authorities on the field of Sterilization and reproductive medicine from Korea, United States, and Japan announced their papers and about 500 participants from Thailand, India, Vietnam and Nepal enlighten the conference.

At first day of the conference, representative Kwang Yul Cha read the paper 'Slush Nitrogen Ovum Freezing method' that received 'The Best Paper Award' from 'World Society for Reproductive Medicine' and the head manager of Stem Cell Institute, Hyung-Min Jung made presentation over embryonic cell and was greeted enthusiastically by the participants. The survival rate of ovum is about 50 percents when applying the Existing Ovum Freezing Method.
On the other hand, Slush-Nitrogen Ovum Freezing Method raise the survival rate to over 90 percents that it initiated the way to activate the ovum bank.

Stem Cell Production Capacity: CHA Medical Group(representative: Kwang Yul Cha M.D.) created total 12 Human Embryonic Stem Cell and under the admission of the International Stem Cell Deliberate Council, CHA Medical Group(representative: Kwang Yul Cha) is planning to produce over 100 embryonic stem cell that are able to apply clinical demonstration using human supporting cell, serum and non-serum culture medium at GMP within 10 years.

World known cytogenesis capacity & ability: CHA Medical Group(representative: Kwang Yul Cha) is the first to success in recovering the damage of cranial nerves by transplanting the mice's embyonic stem cell into alive one's brain. Developed differentiation technology by using neuron, vascular Endothelial, Cartilage Cell, Endocrine Cell, and Heart muscle cells.

Gene Manipulation in Human embryonic stem cell: By developing technology that can induct specific gene into Human Embryonic Cell CHA Medical Group achieved cytogeny technology in specific cell, Human Embryonic Stem Cell production, medicinal screening method, Tumor Suppressor Technology, and interpreting the function of the specific gene.

Gene Therapy ability: Found cancer cell suppressor protein and enzyme gene called 'mHAUSP' that operates the cancer-suppressing activity. Now researches on therapy and clinical test on progressing.

Artificial organ production ability: By Utilizing embryonic stem call and adult stem cell developed biodegradable tissue, instestine and Scaffold, Researches on three-dimensional artificial tissue and intestine production is in advance.

Leading the Cell Therapy Product market using stem cell: If applied-technology such as cytogenesis and cell therapy utilizing embryonic stem cell is practically use, size of over 600 billion won market will be created. To treat specific diseases(Leukemia, Diabetes, urinary incontinece, stroke) cell differentiation inducement and establishing stem cell lines bank using Embryonic Stem Cell and Adult Stem Cell is promoted.

CHA Regenerative Medical Institute, awarded the grant "Patient-Specific Stem Cell Production": Awarded the grant related to patient-specific stem cell production using somac cell reproduction from WIRB in June, 2006. Using Human ovum Freezing Bank, developing patient-specific stem cell production and treatment technology is their aim.

Researches on Sterility & Stem Cell Security is guaranteed by running 'Human Ovum Freezing Bank: 'Slushed-Nitrogen Ovum Freezing Method' has survival rate over 90 percents and pregnancy rate is over 65%, too. The method described above is known as world's best technology that has similar reproduction ability to general ovum. CHA Biotech (Board of Director:Kwang Yul Cha) became the leader of this field by steadily executing safe and moral
stem cell and medical treatment on sterility by running freezing bank.

Kwang Yul Cha Will Contribute His Whole Fortune for Stem Cell Research

Kwang Yul Cha, the president of the Pochon Cha University said, "After dying, people contribute their whole fortune to university, institute or hospital in abroad. I'll also contribute my whole fortune for stem cell research." "I staked all my fortune for stem cell research." Kwang yul Cha added.

Gangnam CHA General Hospital, Pochon Cha University, CHA Fertility Center in Los Angeles, Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in Los Angeles and CHA Columbia Infertility Research Center in New York are owned by CHA Medical Group. Kwang Yul Cha who is leading the CHA Medical Group is the eldest son of Kyung Sub Cha, the executive of Pochon Cha University.
"The value of stem cell research still stands. The Korean Government supported only Woo-suk Hwang to research stem cell before. But after Hwang Woo-suk's stem cell fraud scandal, they haven't supported any researchers for the research of stem cell. This can't be make any advance."

Few days ago, CHA Medical Group, lead by Kwang Yul Cha, announced that they input hundred billions of dollar to 'Pangyo Techno Valley.' It is scheduled to open in 2010. After Stem cell institute is completed, it will be equipped with Lab to Patient System which can pursue clinical demonstration at Bundang CHA Hospital immediately from latest research. CHA BIOTECH, an affiliated organization of CHA Medical Group, already centered around the research of cord blood and stem cell.

Recently, 'The First International Stem Cell Symposium'(Chairman: Kwang yul Cha) held under the sponsorship of the Pochon CHA University in Sheraton Wallkerhill Hotel Convention Hall. 22 world's leaders in the various field of stem cell research participated and read a paper at the International Stem Cell Symposium. This network will get superior ability of Korean researchers and strengthen the complementary cooperation. So it will revitalize the stem cell research in Korea finally."Combination of Hospital and University will help the development of biotechnology in Korea. The Capable researcher is a kernel of research. Talented person is our hope after all."

Pochon Cha University(representative: Kwang Yul Cha M.D.) hired 10 new researchers in this year. So they are having 70 researchers who are newly hired including researchers at professor's office. Last year Prof. Kim Kwang-soo at Harvard Medical School was already appointed the chief of joint research and a chair-professor at the Pochon CHA University. And they have plan to make use of the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in Los Angeles and the CHA Columbia Infertility Research Center in New York as the hub of stem cell research.
Kwang Yul Cha said, "There are few nations like Korea that has wide experiences and know-how and stem cell research in Korea is the world-class already." And Kwang Yul Cha stressed, "Although it will take 5~10 years to put the theory in practice, it's not a long time in comparison with the value of stem cell research."

Kwang Yul Cha, Create 'Koreans Stem Cell Network'

CHA Medical Group(representative: Kwang Yul Cha) Holds the First International Stem Cell Symposium

Although 'Hwang Woo-suk’s Stem Cell Fraud Scandal' aroused criticism for a while, stem cell research is still the interesting field to the scientists and they also recognized that stem cell research is an epoch in treating a deadly disease.

‘Hwang Woo-suk’s stem cell fraud scandal’ shattered Korean hopes to emerge as a bioscience hub, however, many scholars are competing with each other for taking away the initiative in stem cell research. On this wise, Korea keep trying to overcome recent difficulties and create an active atmosphere for stem cell research.

CHA Medical Group holds the first international stem cell symposium for watching the current of stem cell research. Especially, CHA Medical Group invited the world's best-known Korean researchers who are in foreign countries now in the field of stem cell research to the symposium. They are producing an atmosphere for creating 'Koreans Stem Cell Researchers' Network'.

'The First International Stem Cell Symposium(Chairman: Kwang Yul Cha)' will be held under the sponsorship of the Pochon CHA University in Sheraton Wallkerhill Hotal Convention Hall on 8~9th of December. 22 world's leaders in the various field of stem cell research will participate and read a paper at this International Stem Cell Symposium. So it is hoped that the symposium will be the opportunity to see the trend of global stem cell research.

Some researchers such as Prof. Hans Keirstead(UC Irvine in US) who proved the world's first possibility that can treat spinal disease using stem cell engineering, Prof. Patrik Brundin(Lunt University in Sweden) who developed new treatment of Parkinson's disease, Prof. Shin-Ichi Nishikawa who found the world's first gene that can control unlimited multiplication function of human embryo and Prof. Antonios Mikos(Rice University) who is one of the world's best-known researcher in the field of bio tissue and internal organ using tissue engineering stand out among other researchers.

Especially, the coming symposium is raising public interest in setting the goal of creating 'Koreans Stem Cell Network' on a government level. This network will get superior ability of Korean researchers and strengthen the complementary cooperation. So it will revitalize the stem cell research in Korea finally.

Korean Researchers who are in foreign countries now such as Jakie Lee(Colorado University), John Yu(UCLA), Chester Koh(University of Southern California), Prof. Jin-pyo Lee(Burnham Institute), Prof. Kyung-hee choi(Washington University), Prof. Young-sub Yun(Tufts University) and Prof. Kwang-soo Kim(Harvard University) also will participate in this symposium.

About Kwang Yul Cha M.D.

Kwang Yul Cha(차광렬)(born 23 December 1952) is a South Korean medical doctor, an internationally known fertility specialist. Kwang Yul Cha received his medical degree from Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea. And performed Kwang Yul Cha's postdoctoral fellowship in endocrinology and infertility at the University of Southern California. Kwang Yul Cha also served as a visiting professor at Columbia University in New York.
Kwang Yul Cha was the first president of the Pochon Cha University. And Kwang Yul Cha is presently an active scholar in the field of alternative medicine at Columbia University in the US. Also, Kwang Yul Cha is leading the CHA Medical Group in Korea now.

Dr. Cha Kwang-yul 's Medical Achievement

Kwang Yul Cha succeeded the Nation’s first GIFT (Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer) in 1986. Also Kwang Yul Cha firstly IVF produced in a private hospital in 1986. In 1987, Kwang Yul Cha succeeded Asia’s first pregnancy in a woman without ovaries and established the Sperm bank. In 1988, Kwang Yul Cha succeeded World’s first pregnancy from in vitro culture of immature oocytes collected from unstimulated ovaries.

Kwang yul cha won the best paper award by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine - the first birth, in the world, from the embryo transferred in the fallopian tube in 1989. On TIME magazine, the American weekly news magazine, introduces the outcome of Kwang Yul Cha’s studies on infertility and reproductive medicine on the cover topic in 1991.

In 1994, Kwang Yul Cha succeeded Korea’s first ICSI baby delivery. And Kwang Yul Cha’s research on infertility introduced to public through TIME magazine Agreement with Monash University of Australia to establish infertility clinic in the USA, Japan and China. Also, Kwang Yul Cha’s research on infertility and immature oocytes reported as feature story in TIME magazine in 1996. Kwang Yul Cha promoted the foundation of Pan Pacific Infertility Society with UCI Infertility Center and first joint international symposium held in Hawaii.

In 1998, Kwang Yul Cha won the best paper award by the International Federation of Fertility Societies and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine - restoration technique of minute fallopian tube using laparoscope. Also, Kwang Yul Cha won the excellent paper awarded by the International Federation of Fertility Societies and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine - development of oocytes vitrification.

In 2000, Kwang Yul Cha won the best paper award in image by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

In 2002, the New York Times adopts Dr. Kwang Yul Cha's report, ‘increased pregnancy rate’, as the ‘Idea of the Year.’ Kwang Yul Cha received the research funds amounting to 5 billion won from the Ministry of Health and Welfare for the ‘study on infertility and reproductive medicine and genital disease genetics’ of the Human Genetics Research Center of CHA General Hospital, led by Kwang Yul Cha.