A major step toward commercializing large-animal disease models
![A genetically engineered miniature pig is shown at right compared to a normal Jeju native black pig. [Photo courtesy of Cronex]](https://cdn.newsarticleinsiders.com/news/photo/202511/3302_5315_4823.jpg)
A team of South Korean scientists said on Nov. 20 that they had developed a genetically engineered miniature pig model for Oculocutaneous Albinism Type 1 (OCA1), as a major step in advancing the country’s large-animal disease model capabilities.
Through the method, they converted the color of a black pig breed native in Jeju, the nation’s southernmost scenic island, to white, which is necessary for research.
Toward that end, Korea’s biotechnology startup Cronex joined hands with research teams from Chungbuk National University, Sungkyunkwan University, and Chonnam National University.
Naason Science and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine also took part in the initiative.
Prof. Hyun Sang-hwan from Chungbuk National University said that the new miniature pig would bring about new opportunities at a time when global research typically relies on breeds such as the Yucatan or Göttingen miniature pigs.
“As our Jeju pigs are black, they were not suitable for research in areas such as skin-related studies. By coming up with white Jeju pigs, things will be different,” Prof. Hyun said.
“Through forming a multidisciplinary consortium of Korean academic, research, and industry partners, as well as a foreign player, a miniature pig model for OCA1 was developed.”
Oculocutaneous Albinism (OCA) is a congenital genetic disorder caused by defects in melanin-producing enzymes, resulting in reduced pigmentation of the skin, hair, and eyes.
OCA1, which arises from mutations in the Tyrosinase (TYR) gene, accounts for nearly 50 percent of all OCA cases worldwide.
Prof. Hyun said that the genetically engineered Jeju native black pig would be a globally marketable research model.
The stakes are also high as the international mini pig market reached $3.5 billion in 2023 with an expected annual growth rate of 6.8 percent, according to Cronex.
The company has established a gene resource research institute within the disease-free zones of Jeju Island, aiming to accelerate development of genetically engineered pig models and xenogeneic biomaterials.
The related study was officially accepted for publication early this month in the peer-reviewed international journal Scientific Reports, Cronex said.