It is my great pleasure to extend a warm invitation to the Institut Pasteur Korea–Institut Pasteur Joint Symposium, convened in celebration of the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and the France.

For over two decades, Institut Pasteur Korea (IPK) has served as a hub for cutting-edge infectious disease research and a platform for Korea–France scientific collaboration. Building on this foundation, this joint initiative represents a meaningful milestone in our enduring partnership and our shared commitment to advancing global biomedical research.

Under the theme, “Crossroads of Basic and Translational Research in Biomedical Science”, this gathering will explore the critical interface between fundamental discovery and its translation into tangible medical innovations.

Bringing together leading scientists representing Korea and France, the symposium will provide a unique opportunity to share expertise and perspectives across borders.

At a time when global health challenges, particularly infectious diseases, continue to demand urgent and effective responses, the integration of basic science with translational research has never been more vital.

The program will highlight key areas at the forefront of biomedical science, including translational research for innovative drug discovery, advances in vaccine development, and technological innovation.

By sharing global trends, successful cases of commercialization rooted in basic research, and insights into emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and organoid systems, the symposium will foster in-depth scientific dialogue. It will also encourage substantive discussions on strengthening collaborative networks and advancing international scientific cooperation.

We hope this symposium will serve as a meaningful forum for scientific exchange and further reinforce the strong and enduring partnership between Korea and France.