October Packed with Global Events... Expanding Opportunities for Collaboration in K-Bio

Global Events Such as CPHI and BioJapan Take Place in Succession
Expanding Contract Orders, Technology Transfers, and Joint Development Partnerships

Throughout the month of October, Korean pharmaceutical and biotech companies are launching a global sales campaign, traveling across Europe, Japan, and the United States. Their strategies span contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) and active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) orders, drug technology licensing, and securing partners for joint development, as they seek to strengthen ties with global pharmaceutical firms in alignment with business objectives.

According to the bio industry on October 7, the global pharmaceutical industry exhibition "CPHI Milan 2026," which opened the previous day in Milan, Italy, runs until October 8. This is immediately followed by "BioJapan 2026," taking place in Yokohama, Japan from October 7 to 9. "World ADC San Diego" will be held from October 12 to 15 in San Diego, United States, and "BIOPLUS-INTERPHEX KOREA (BIX) 2026" is scheduled to take place at COEX in Seoul from October 28 to 30.

With major global events scheduled one after another throughout the month, Korean companies are dispatching large numbers of business development and sales staff to these locations. They are placing high expectations on such events, where they can meet potential customers and partners directly, in hopes of achieving technology export and contract results by year-end. Industry insiders emphasize that follow-up consultations through face-to-face meetings have become increasingly important.

At CPHI, Korean companies are making aggressive sales pitches centered on their manufacturing and supply chain capabilities. Samsung Biologics has set up an exclusive booth, showcasing its contract manufacturing capabilities, global production sites, and next-generation modality technologies. Lotte Biologics is also working to secure new clients, highlighting the synergy between its Songdo Bio Campus and its manufacturing facility in Syracuse, United States. Yuhan Corporation is utilizing its subsidiary Yuhan Chemical’s API production infrastructure and CDMO capabilities to conduct business meetings with global pharmaceutical and biotech companies.

Sam Chun Dang Pharm is seeking technology transfer and joint development partners for its oral insulin, oral glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drugs, and its long-acting injectable formulations. DongKook Pharmaceutical is also presenting its proprietary long-acting drug delivery platform in the hopes of technology export opportunities. Rather than simply exhibiting products, these companies are conducting one-on-one meetings with global pharmaceutical firms on site to discuss the possibility of actual contracts.

At BioJapan, the competition to secure partnerships targeting Japan and the Asia-Pacific region continues. Samsung Biologics, Lotte Biologics, and other companies are seeking new contracts and collaboration opportunities with local pharmaceutical and biotech companies, while domestic biotech ventures are entering into discussions for drug technology transfer and joint development. With global pharmaceutical companies actively pursuing external innovation and new drug adoption, even early-stage biotech ventures are recognized as key players in business development at these events.

The global sales drive will continue into the following week. Samsung Biologics and Lotte Biologics, among others, are planning to highlight their antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) production and development capabilities at World ADC. At the end of the month, BIX will facilitate partnering for technology transfer and introduction, manufacturing alliances, and attracting investments among both domestic and international companies. An industry insider said, "The series of events scheduled domestically and abroad this month will be an opportunity for Korean pharmaceutical and biotech companies to secure global partners."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.