Avance Clinical, a global CRO headquartered in South Australia, met with Mr Jeff Robinson, South Australian Ambassador to Korea, to advance collaboration opportunities between South Australia and Korea in biotech clinical research.
The Avance Clinical delegation included Mark Harvill, Chief Executive Officer, Joe Taouk, Vice President, Global Project Delivery, and Jessica Han, Director, Asian Operations. The team’s presence reflects Avance Clinical’s ongoing investment and expansion in Korea as a key regional hub.
Meeting Priorities and Outcomes
The discussions highlighted four priority areas:
- Expanding Avance Clinical’s Footprint in Korea – Establishing a new local office, expanding the team, and strengthening on-the-ground capabilities to support Korean biotech companies in global clinical development.
- Growing Korean Biotech Interest in Australia – Supporting biotechs conducting early-phase trials in Australia, driven by the Australian Advantage of faster timelines, globally accepted data, and up to 43.5% R&D rebate.
- Two-Way Global Pathways – Leveraging Avance Clinical’s global presence, particularly in the United States, to promote Korea as an attractive clinical trial destination for US biotechs while creating seamless trial pathways between Australia, Korea, and the US.
- Partnership Opportunities – Exploring joint initiatives to enhance trial efficiency, broaden patient access, and identify avenues for government and industry support.
Shared Opportunities For Growth
“This meeting underscored the shared opportunity to connect South Australia’s strengths with Korea’s world-class clinical trial ecosystem,” said Mark Harvill, Chief Executive Officer, Avance Clinical. “By deepening ties, we can accelerate Avance Clinical’s growth in Korea and create new opportunities for Korean biotechs to access early-phase advantages in Australia, particularly in Oncology and other areas of unmet medical need.”
Strengthening Regional Strategy
Avance Clinical continues to expand its Asia operations, with Korea emerging as a cornerstone of the company’s regional strategy.
Through its GlobalReady program, Avance Clinical supports biotechs from early-phase studies in Australia through to later-phase development in the United States, while leveraging its expanding presence across Asia to accelerate regional execution. This integrated model provides a seamless pathway from local innovation to global market access.
