Page 20 - Jan-Feb 2025

SAFILO AND UNDER ARMOUR on advancing research and

EXTEND LICENSING AGREEMENT conducting global clinical trials.
The initiative is part of KIST’s
Natural Product New Drug
Safilo Group and Under Business Group, which explores
Armour recently renewed drug materials from natural
their global eyewear licensing sources to address age-related
agreement, extending their diseases such as macular
partnership until 2031. degeneration and cancer. As
Safilo is a global leader in the part of the agreement, the
eyewear industry, specialising two institutions will operate a
in designing, producing, and joint research lab, facilitating
distributing prescription frames, the transition from laboratory
sunglasses, and sports eyewear. research to practical application.
Vladimiro Baldin, Chief KIST President Oh Sang-rok
Licensed Brand & Global highlighted the significance
Product Officer at Safilo Group, of the collaboration, stating,
expressed enthusiasm about “This partnership between
the extension, stating, “We are KIST and Huons BioPharma is
excited to continue our successful a key example of the BP Plus
collaboration with Under Armour. project, which actively supports
Their dedication to quality the commercialisation of
and performance aligns perfectly with our vision. Safilo remains technologies developed within
committed to investing in design and technology to develop eyewear research institutions. It also
that enhances the athletic experience.” marks the first milestone in
KIST’s mission-oriented research
Yassine Saidi, Under Armour's Chief Product Officer, commented, initiative launched this year.”
“Our partnership with Safilo allows us to push the boundaries of
eyewear design, ensuring that athletes have access to products that Huons BioPharma CEO Kim
blend style, comfort, and performance.” Young-mok also expressed
confidence in the partnership,
The collection will include lightweight and versatile frames further reflecting on it, “This
designed to reduce distractions and improve visibility, supporting collaboration will allow us to
athletes both on and off the field. secure a promising pipeline
Safilo’s extensive distribution network, spanning 40 countries and in peptide-based treatments,
reaching approximately 100,000 points of sale, ensures that Under strengthening our position in the
Armour eyewear will continue to be widely available to consumers. elderly disease market.”
The partnership, which shares a commitment to performance-driven The BP Plus project, led by
design, aims to strengthen Under Armour’s presence in the eyewear KIST, is designed to bridge the
market while reinforcing Safilo’s position as an industry leader. gap between research and
industry by providing resources
KIST PARTNERS WITH HUONS and support for companies
licensing KIST’s technologies.
BIOPHARMA The agreement with Huons
BioPharma aligns with these
goals, advancing potential
The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) has entered new therapies for macular
into a technology transfer agreement with Huons BioPharma to degeneration while reinforcing
develop and commercialise a peptide treatment for dry macular the role of research institutions in
degeneration. The collaboration will span 14 months, focusing medical innovation.

16 ̶ THE INDIAN OPTICIAN | JAN-FEB 2025 | INTERNATIONAL NEW S