KIOST(Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Korea Yakult to lay the groundwork for development of a marine microalga-derived material that improves cognitive abilities and helps prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. 

KIOST will join hands with Korea Yakult -- a household name in the yogurt and fermented dairy product market in South Korea -- to jointly commercialize products.

KIOST President Kim Woong-seo and Korea Yakult CEO Kim Byung-jin have signed an agreement to promote and support commercialization of the Spirulina extract, which the institute has developed.

The extract has turned out to be more effective than microalga for improving cognitive abilities.

"We expect the agreement to promote commercialization using KIOST's technology and further become an excellent commercialization case for public research institutions through co-prosperity with companies," said Director Kim Woong-seo.

"We will continue to make efforts to commercialize technologies and create high value-added technologies for Ocean science and technology."