노화진단/치료기술분야 특허분석 및 과학기술인력 변동에 관한 연구

The increase in the elderly population due to low birth rates and the maintenance of their health are concerns for many people. Recently, there have been attempts to treat diseases by eliminating aged cells or reversing aging mechanisms, with their efficacy proven through actual animal experiments[1]. In many cases, such emerging technological fields are initially researched in advanced countries like the United States. Korean researchers follow a ‘catch-up’ R&D strategy after the mechanisms and effects are known[2]. However, in the current reality where global technological competition aligns with national security, following such a strategy may make it difficult for Korea to gain an edge in technological sovereignty competition. If the government makes swift investments in R&D and supports workforce in emerging technological fields, it can lead to seizing cutting-edge technologies and transforming a ‘chasing’ R&D structure into a ‘pioneering’ R&D[3]. In this study, a keyword search was conducted in aging diagnosis and treatment technology, resulting in the extraction of 1,743 effective patents. Utilizing diverse patent analyses, Korea's competitiveness were examined, and by using inventor information from patent data along with labor statistics issued by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), the present condition of R&D workforce changes were analyzed.