[Daily Medi] A Treatment Clinic Opened by a Leading Stem Cell Specialist

A Treatment Clinic Opened by a Stem Cell Industry Leader

Pharmacell CEO and Director Kim Hyun-soo: “Attracting Foreign Capital and Patients After Confirming Success”

Kim Hyun-soo, CEO of Pharmacell—a stem cell specialist company listed on the stock market [center in photo]—has opened an internal medicine clinic in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

This facility will serve as a specialized stem cell medical institution, drawing on the expertise of CEO Kim, a former hematology-oncology specialist. The company plans to expand operations through a 300-bed hospital in the future, attracting international patients and operating as an investment-open hospital (for-profit hospital).

“Providing a Role Model for Medical Professionals Unfamiliar with Stem Cell Therapy”

In a meeting with Daily Medi on the 14th, CEO Kim Hyun-soo outlined his operational direction, stating, “The clinic, which opened on the 12th, will serve as a role model for other medical professionals who are unfamiliar with stem cell therapy.”

He explained, “Our bio business—which was our first goal after founding PamiCell—has now taken root. As the company has stabilized, I decided to open a clinic, which is the field where I can best utilize my skills as a clinician.”
 

CEO Kim views the hospital business as PamiCell’s future growth engine. He believes that as the stem cell therapy sector expands—driven by revisions to relevant laws—it will generate even greater synergy.

He
also plans to develop a business model for specialized hospitals that attract foreign investment—so-called “investment-open hospitals.” Currently, operating for-profit hospitals in South Korea is nearly impossible. Therefore, pursuing this goal is a challenging choice.

CEO
Kim described the situation, saying, “We must secure more than 50% of our equity from foreign investors, but there are many challenges. Overseas investors are skeptical about whether we can obtain a license for a for-profit hospital from the government.”

Consequently, the company determined that it was important to establish a hospital directly, obtain a license, and demonstrate its ability to operate it. This opening serves as a preliminary step toward laying the foundation for the for-profit hospital that Pamisell will operate.

Even with
sufficient investment, the hospital will be established on a scale of 300 beds, expandable to a maximum of 500 beds. It will be located in Seoul, not in a special economic zone. This is because he believes that none of his envisioned business goals can be fully achieved outside of Seoul.

Once it begins attracting foreign capital in
earnest, the facility will transition into a for-profit hospital. It will specialize in stem cell therapy while maintaining a high standard of medical care at a scale that allows for efficient operation. In particular, the company plans to actively attract international patients through initiatives such as operating Meditel.

CEO
Kim Hyun-soo stated, “Operating the stem cell clinic is a preparatory step toward growing the corporate entity that will eventually run the for-profit hospital,” adding, “Our primary goal is to obtain a license for the for-profit hospital in three years.”

“It Will Become a Landmark for Stem Cell Therapy
in Korea”

The
newly opened Kim Hyun-soo Stem Cell Clinic consists of three main centers—the Stem Cell Center, the Internal Medicine Center, and the Plastic Surgery Center—managed by two internal medicine specialists and one plastic surgeon. A cardiologist will join the team shortly.
 

The Stem Cell Center is collaborating with leading biotech companies and research institutes around the world to develop cell therapies using stem cells and dendritic cells.

In
particular, the “PamiCell Stem Cell Center,” a dedicated facility for storing stem cells and conducting related clinical trials, has been established in a separate space to facilitate high-quality research collaboration.

The
Internal Medicine Center provides basic internal medicine care and, drawing on the country’s most extensive experience in stem cell therapy, offers specialized treatment protocols for life-threatening intractable diseases, anti-aging, skin conditions, and sexual dysfunction.

Major treatment areas include central nervous system disorders such as stroke, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and spinal cord injuries; to cardiovascular diseases such as acute myocardial infarction and ischemic cardiomyopathy; and to gastrointestinal disorders including cirrhosis, pancreatitis, and ulcerative colitis.

The
Plastic Surgery Center incorporates expertise in regeneration and functional improvement using stem cell culture medium to provide a new level of treatment. It offers a wide range of procedures, from general cosmetic surgeries—such as breast augmentation, eye and nose procedures, buttock augmentation, body contouring, and wrinkle reduction—to scar treatment, skin regeneration, and hair loss treatment.

CEO Kim
Hyun-soo emphasized, “By introducing a personalized care system tailored to each patient’s individual characteristics, we will transform into a world-class stem cell treatment institution that leads the field of stem cell therapy.”