New medicine for anti-obesity On March 5, Yonsei University signed a contract regarding technology transfer with Kwang Dong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Kwang Dong pays Yonsei University for the technology, on which new medicine is developed. The technology transferred to Kwang Dong is findings from a research team led by Professor Park Tae-sun at Yonsei’s Functional Foods & Nutrigenomics Laboratory. This team has discovered agents from pharmacological actions such as catalyst for fatty acid oxidation and for heat generation, and suppression of adipose tissue that have been found to be effective for the prevention and treatment of obesity and metabolic diseases. The materials were also proven to be more effective and safer than sibutramine, an agent for the treatment of obesity as an appetite suppressant. University President Kim Han-joong said, "I’m very proud that Yonsei’s research findings reach corporations and become commercialized through technology transfers. Yonsei’s knowledge and technology is utilized in our everyday lives." and "Yonsei will continue expanding cooperations with good companies to promote R&D activities and technological advancements." With the new materials, Kwang Dong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. will implement non-clinical and clinical trials and perform commercialization tests. Kwang Dong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is looking forward to entering the domestic as well as world market for anti-obesity treatments.