Incheon City Proclaims 'Global Innovative Drug Hub'... Launches Multilateral Cooperation with Lilly and Samsung Biologics

Restructuring Industry from Contract Manufacturing to "Innovative Drug R&D"
Incheon to Host the World's Seventh "Lilly Gateway Labs"
Mayor Park Chandae: "Make Incheon the World's No. 1 Bio City"

Incheon Metropolitan City presented a blueprint for transforming the Songdo Bio Cluster from a contract development and manufacturing (CDMO)-focused industrial structure to one centered on innovative drug research and development (R&D), positioning it to become a global hub.

On October 23, at the 2026 Global Summit on the AI Bio New Drug Hub, held at Inspire Resort in Yeongjongdo, the city officially announced its vision of establishing Incheon as a world-class hub for next-generation AI-driven innovative drug development.

At the event, Incheon Metropolitan City, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Samsung Biologics, and Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to foster an innovative ecosystem in the Songdo Bio Cluster.

The organizations agreed to link bio startup and research infrastructure and jointly pursue policy initiatives and government programs. Specifically, they will work closely to identify and nurture promising biotechnology and healthcare companies; connect startup and research infrastructure in Songdo International City and discuss ways to build a regional biohealthcare ecosystem; and recruit companies to Samsung Biologics' C-Lab Outside program and support their subsequent growth.

At the “2026 AI Bio New Drug Global Summit Incheon,” held on the 23rd at Inspire in Yeongjong District, Incheon, (from left) Jeong Gyeongsil, policy chief for health and medical services at the Ministry of Health and Welfare; Incheon Mayor Park Chandae; Verena Stocker, vice president of Lilly Gateway Labs; Seiya Komatsu, CEO of Lilly Korea; and Samsung Biologics CEO John Rim pose for a commemorative photo after signing a memorandum of understanding. Photo provided by Incheon City.

Lilly Gateway Labs, at the heart of the agreement, is an innovation hub that connects innovative biotech companies with Lilly's expertise. Eli Lilly and Company first launched it in South San Francisco, California, in 2019.

By providing Lilly's key resources and mentorship, the program helps resident companies overcome obstacles in the research and development process and accelerate scientific breakthroughs for the next generation of patients.

Since its launch, resident companies have secured more than $3 billion in investment (approximately 4 trillion won) and advanced more than 50 therapeutic programs. South Korea is the third country to host Lilly Gateway Labs, after the United States and China. Samsung Biologics' C-Lab Outside, to be established at the company's Second Bio Campus in Songdo, will be the program's seventh location worldwide. The facility will have a floor area of approximately 3,500 pyeong (about 11,570 square meters) and is targeted for completion in 2027.

Samsung Biologics will oversee facility construction and operations, as well as analytical and quality validation, while Lilly will provide on-site mentoring by researchers and connections to its global R&D network. Together, they will nurture up to 30 promising drug-development startups by 2027.

Incheon Mayor Park Chandae said, "Starting with this MOU, we will actively support an open innovation platform that brings together global pharmaceutical company Lilly and Samsung Biologics, and make 'Incheon, the world's No. 1 bio city,' a reality."

Participants pose for a group photo at the 2026 Global Summit on AI and Bio New Drug Hubs, held at Inspire Resort in Yeongjongdo, Incheon, on the 23rd. Photo provided by Incheon City.

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