World’s largest biotech convention to host first official session on Korea’s rise as innovation hub
A strong contingent of South Korean biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies is converging on San Diego this week. Their primary objective at the prestigious BIO International Convention, one of the world’s largest biotechnology exhibitions, is to forge global partnerships and secure significant contracts.
Samsung Biologics, making its 14th consecutive appearance at this annual industry event, is set to command a prominent presence. The leading Korean contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) will host an expansive 140-square-meter booth at the convention’s center stage, showcasing its comprehensive end-to-end services over the four-day event.
Highlighting its global leadership in the CDMO market, Samsung Biologics will introduce its Rockville, Maryland plant, acquired from GSK last year for $280 million, alongside its substantial 60,000-liter drug substance capacity. Combined with its Incheon plants in Korea, the company’s total manufacturing capacity now reaches an impressive 845,000 liters.
Celltrion returns for its 17th consecutive year at this premier global biotechnology gathering, featuring a dedicated standalone booth. The company will promote its established biosimilar portfolio while emphasizing its advanced drug development capabilities and cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI)-driven research, with a specialized AI zone within its exhibition space.
“Celltrion aims to actively project its future business vision and technological prowess on the global stage, marking its transformation into a global new drug developer beyond its biosimilar roots,” stated a Celltrion official.
“We are committed to expanding our global partnerships, leveraging next-generation growth engines such as our AI-based new drug development platform, antibody-drug conjugates, and multispecific antibodies. This strategy is designed to explore vital business opportunities that will fuel Celltrion’s mid- to long-term growth and enhance our corporate value.”
SK Biopharmaceuticals will establish its booth within the event’s dedicated digital health and AI zone, seeking collaborations across diverse areas including research, business development, and new therapeutic modalities. Under the impactful slogan “SK, AI for Every Patient,” the innovative drug developer will underscore its strategic application of AI in discovering new drugs, digitalizing R&D and business operations, and advancing its patient-centered platforms.
Lotte Biologics will feature its booth displaying visuals of its inaugural plant in Songdo, Incheon, scheduled for completion in August. This showcase will highlight the CDMO firm’s robust dual-site capabilities, complementing its existing plant in Syracuse, New York, which the Korean firm acquired from Bristol Myers Squibb for $160 million in 2022.
Throughout the convention, Lotte Biologics will host three engaging in-booth presentations. These will cover its strategic cooperation with Asimov, a leading cell development organization, innovative scale-up strategies utilizing computational fluid dynamics technology for enhanced efficiency, and its advanced digital manufacturing capabilities.
A significant milestone at this year’s global biotechnology convention is the introduction of the first-ever official session dedicated to Korea’s burgeoning biotechnology industry. Titled “Korea Rising: Don’t Be Late to Asia’s Next Innovation Hub,” this pivotal discussion will feature prominent representatives from industry leaders such as Samsung Biologics, the Korea Biotechnology Industry Organization (KoreaBio), Boehringer Ingelheim, KB Investment, Ildong Pharmaceutical, and ABL Bio.
The KoreaBio country pavilion will serve as a spotlight for 51 innovative Korean biotechnology companies during the event. These companies will showcase their key pipelines, advanced platform technologies, and significant research and development achievements through an open stage presentation within the Korean pavilion.
This year’s BIO International Convention, also recognized as Bio USA, is anticipated to attract over 20,000 attendees from more than 70 countries, underscoring its immense global reach and influence.
“Bio USA represents a crucial arena where investment and partnering activities within the global biotech industry are most actively pursued,” stated Lee Seung-gyu, vice chair at KoreaBio.
“By enhancing interconnected programs, including the special Korea Night, we are committed to providing comprehensive support to ensure Korean firms achieve substantial business outcomes through engagements with leading global pharmaceutical companies and investors.”
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