BIONEER CORPORATION

BIONEER Successfully Concludes Participation in WCHR 2026, Showcasing Global Potential of CosmeRNA

BIONEER announced that it successfully concluded its participation in the 14th World Congress for Hair Research (WCHR 2026), held from May 28 to 31 at COEX in Seoul, South Korea, attracting significant attention from global experts and industry stakeholders.

WCHR is one of the world's most prestigious international scientific conferences dedicated to hair research, bringing together leading researchers, clinicians, and healthcare professionals to share the latest advances in hair loss and scalp disorder research and treatment approaches.

Throughout the four-day event, BIONEER operated an exhibition booth for CosmeRNA, welcoming approximately 300 experts, clinicians, and business representatives from 31 countries. The company conducted product presentations and business meetings, receiving strong interest in CosmeRNA's technology. The event also provided valuable opportunities to explore global business expansion, including product distribution, broader clinical adoption, and collaborative research initiatives across multiple countries.

At the congress, Professor Ralf Paus of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and founder of Cutaneon, a collaborative research partner of BIONEER in the development of alopecia areata-related therapies, delivered an oral presentation titled, "Topical Application of SAMiRNA Targeting Interferon-Gamma Receptor-1 in Human Scalp Skin Protects Hair Follicles from Immune Privilege Collapse and Keratinocyte Apoptosis."

The study demonstrated that a topical formulation utilizing BIONEER's proprietary SAMiRNA technology could regulate the immune environment surrounding hair follicles in human scalp tissue, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic approach for alopecia areata and frontal fibrosing alopecia. The presentation attracted considerable attention from internationally recognized experts in hair research. The findings further underscored the versatility and therapeutic potential of BIONEER's SAMiRNA platform, which is protected by composition-of-matter patents in major global markets.

In addition, Korean clinicians presented e-poster studies based on human clinical investigations and real-world experiences using CosmeRNA. Dr. Jin Oh Kim of New Hair Plastic Surgery Clinic presented findings under the title "Clinical Efficacy and Sustained Activity of CosmeRNA ARI, a Topical Androgen Receptor-Targeting RNA-Based Approach, in Androgenetic Alopecia," sharing clinical observations and analyses from the study. Dr. Young Jin Park of Gangnam Samsung Plastic Surgery Clinic also presented "Real-World Clinical Experience with CosmeRNA (5 mg/mL) in Androgenetic Alopecia: A Case Series with Representative Clinical Images," highlighting practical clinical applications and representative patient cases.

During WCHR 2026, BIONEER held numerous meetings with global key opinion leaders (KOLs), healthcare professionals, and industry partners. The company also conducted virtual meetings, expert dinners, and discussions regarding future collaborative research projects. Through these interactions, BIONEER introduced the scientific foundation and research achievements of CosmeRNA while exchanging views on product distribution expansion, increased clinical adoption, collaborative research, and business partnerships. Discussions on the latest developments in hair and scalp disorder research also opened new opportunities for global market expansion and scientific collaboration.

Dr. Park Han-Oh, Chairman of BIONEER, commented, "WCHR 2026 provided a meaningful platform to present the technology and research achievements behind CosmeRNA to some of the world's leading experts and clinicians in hair research. Through discussions with specialists from around the globe, we confirmed strong interest in CosmeRNA and identified significant opportunities for expanding product distribution, increasing clinical adoption, and strengthening collaborative research efforts. In particular, the presentation of our joint research results with Professor Paus's group highlighted the potential for developing innovative therapies for severe immune-mediated hair loss disorders."

A representative of CosmeRNA added, "We will continue to expand our participation in major international scientific conferences and collaborative research initiatives. Leveraging BIONEER's RNA-based technologies, including CosmeRNA, we remain committed to advancing product development and accelerating our global market expansion efforts."