Recently, K-Bio companies presented various monetization strategies at BIO-USA, held in San Diego, USA. This event served as a crucial platform where pharmaceutical and biotech professionals from around the globe gathered to discuss technological collaborations, joint research, and licensing deals. Korean companies actively participated, showcasing their expanded business models.

New Challenges for Korean Bio Companies

This year's BIO-USA saw participation from approximately 1,600 companies across 70 countries. Following the United States, Korea had the second-largest presence, with around 350 companies exhibiting and engaging in partnering activities. Notably, the Korean pavilion featured 51 domestic bio companies as exhibitors, significantly elevating the profile of the Korean bio industry. Korean companies are now focusing beyond mere technology promotion, concentrating on expanding and enhancing their existing business models.

Samsung Biologics' Platform-Based Strategy

Samsung Biologics presented a platform-based CDMO strategy, aiming to expand its existing manufacturing capacity while also engaging with clients from the early stages of new drug development. CEO John Rim unveiled plans for global CDMO expansion, including the establishment of a European base, the construction of Songdo Plant 6, and the conceptualization of a third bio-campus. By leveraging Samsung Biologics' technology from the initial development phase, clients increase the likelihood of Samsung Biologics handling subsequent process development, clinical trials, and commercial production.

Latecomers' New Approach

Lotte Biologics is focusing on the early operation of its Songdo Plant 1 and securing orders for commercial production. CEO James Park announced the acceleration of Songdo Plant 1's pharmaceutical production system completion from the second quarter of next year to the end of this year. He emphasized the importance of securing commercial production references as a latecomer CDMO.

Celltrion and SK Biopharmaceuticals' New Drug Development Strategies

Celltrion is highlighting its new drug development capabilities beyond biosimilars. On-site representatives engaged with various global companies, showcasing Celltrion's new drug technology and competitiveness while seeking opportunities for joint development and technological collaboration. SK Biopharmaceuticals, on the other hand, presented a new drug development model combining AI and open innovation, establishing a strategy to discover central nervous system drug candidates in collaboration with Insilico Medicine.

Enhancing Technology Export Models

Alteogen emphasized the enhancement of its technology export model, stating that further technology exports are possible. They are expanding the pipelines for which their contracted companies can apply, and the demand for multi-product contracts is growing. This indicates that the ALT-B4 platform is expanding beyond individual contracts to encompass multiple products.

Ultimately, Korean bio companies at this year's BIO-USA are strengthening their global competitiveness by emphasizing how their technologies can be repeatedly monetized within various business structures. CDMO companies are moving beyond mere production capacity to engage in the early stages of client development, while biosimilar companies are broadening their scope into new drug development. These shifts demonstrate that K-Bio has moved beyond the stage of simple technology introduction and is now entering a phase of reinforcing its monetization methodologies.