“The Korea Pavilion is set to expand next year.”
The world’s largest biotechnology event, BIO USA 2025, concluded its four-day run. The K-Bio presence was unmistakable, from the impressively sized Korea Pavilion to Samsung Biologics’ eye-catching standalone booth at the exhibition entrance.
The Korea Biotechnology Industry Organization reported on Thursday that over 20,000 attendees flocked to BIO USA in Boston from Monday to Thursday. Approximately 1,300 participants were from South Korea, an increase of about 100 from last year’s 1,200. This marks the third consecutive year South Korea has been the largest international contingent, excluding the United States.
Lee Seung Kyou, Vice President of the Korea Biotechnology Industry Organization, noted that other countries were astounded by the scale of the Korea Pavilion, adding that it appears the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) has recognized Korea’s technological advancements as a valuable partner. He stressed that they’re confident in securing a prime location for the Korea Pavilion next year as well.
Samsung Biologics unveils Organoid; Lotte Biologics anticipates three more contracts this year
At BIO USA this year, South Korean companies launched new services and announced contract wins. Samsung Biologics introduced Samsung Organoid, a collaborative platform for early-stage drug discovery, employing a strategic lock-in approach with clients.
John Rim, CEO of Samsung Biologics, stated that leveraging their sales offices in New Jersey and Boston, Samsung currently serves 17 of the top 20 global pharmaceutical companies. He added that the company aims to expand its client base to include the top 40 companies moving forward.
Lotte Biologics inked an antibody production deal with Ottimo. Under this agreement, Lotte Biologics will manufacture the drug substance (DS) for Ottimo Pharma’s antibody drug Jankistomig at the Syracuse Bio Campus in New York. They also hinted at three additional contracts before year-end.
Celltrion engaged in over 150 meetings, exploring various collaboration opportunities with global pharmaceutical and biotech firms. They focused on potential partnerships to bolster their pipeline in drug development, including antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), multi-antibodies, new antibody drugs, and peptides.
Third-generation heirs take center stage in business development; SK’s Choi Yoon Jung and Lotte’s Shin Yoo Yeol make their mark
This year’s BIO USA showcased the active involvement of third-generation heirs. Shin Yoo Yeol, son of Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong Bin, visited the Lotte Biologics exhibition booth to spearhead partnership expansion efforts.
Vice President Shin toured various biopharmaceutical companies, including those involved in biosimilars, contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs), and suppliers of materials, parts, and equipment, such as Dong-A Socio Holdings, Cytiva, Celltrion, Thermo Fisher, and SK Pharmteco, engaging with representatives from each firm. At the Dong-A booth, he exchanged brief pleasantries with Park Jaehong, CEO of Dong-A ST, Choi Kyung Eun, CEO of Estigen Bio, and Sung Moo Je, CEO of ST Pharm.
Vice President Shin expressed high expectations for BIOUSA this year, revealing his plan to attend the major meeting. This marks his second appearance at BIO USA since his initial attendance two years ago.
Choi Yoon Jung, eldest daughter of SK Group Chairman Chey Tae Won and head of business development at SK Biopharm, also made her presence felt at BIO USA, reportedly participating in over 200 meetings. SK Biopharm debuted its first solo booth at the event, actively promoting its epilepsy drug Cenobamate. The booth attracted an average of about 1,000 visitors daily.
Choi stated that the company aims to showcase its innovative drug development capabilities and strategy for expanding global partnerships through BIO USA. She further explained that the company plans to pursue more concrete collaboration opportunities this year and strengthen SK Biopharm’s position in the worldwide healthcare ecosystem, building on the insights and networks they’ve cultivated.