Only about 250 'K-Bio' Companies, Full Attendance at 'BioUSA' [BioNOW]

Participation in Solo Booths by Samba, Celltrion, Lotte Biologics, etc.
Bio Association Organizes 'Korea Pavilion' to Support Overseas Expansion

Presentations by ABL Bio, Hi, Bridge Bio, etc.

Overview of the Samsung Biologics booth installed at the San Diego Convention Center in the United States, where the 2022 BIO International Convention (BIO USA) is held

[San Diego (USA) = Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] No fewer than 250 domestic pharmaceutical and bio companies are set to participate in large numbers at the '2022 BIO International Convention (BIO USA)' held from June 13 to 16 (local time) at the San Diego Convention Center in the United States, actively promoting their pipelines and technological capabilities while seeking new partners.

BIO USA is the world's largest global bio event organized by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) of the United States, gathering over 3,000 companies from 65 countries worldwide. Marking its 29th edition this year, it is held over four days in San Diego under the theme 'Limitless Together.' Especially as it is the first in-person event in three years since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, international attention is focused, and many domestic companies have also actively participated.

Setting Up Booths to Seek Global Partners

The companies most actively participating with dedicated booths include Samsung Biologics, Celltrion, Lotte Biologics, and SK Pharmteco.

Samsung Biologics, which has participated with a dedicated booth for 10 consecutive years since its founding in 2011 (excluding online events), is setting up a large-scale booth to actively showcase its enhanced CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization) capabilities that have grown further during the COVID-19 period. Currently, Samsung Biologics' production capacity totals 620,000 liters when including the upcoming partial operation of Plant 4 this year (256,000 liters), which accounts for about 30% of the global CMO (Contract Manufacturing Organization) production volume. In particular, following the recent full acquisition of Samsung Bioepis shares, it is expected to actively seek partners to achieve greater synergy effects.

Lotte Biologics, which acquired Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS)'s Syracuse plant in the U.S. last month and completed its corporate establishment on the 7th, is preparing to enter the ring and will make its full-fledged debut at BIO USA. Lotte Group plans to invest approximately 2.5 trillion KRW over the next 10 years aiming to become a global top 10 bio CDMO company by 2030. Lotte Biologics CEO Lee Won-jik is actively promoting these plans locally in San Diego.

Celltrion plans to focus on partnering meetings through its dedicated booth. Reflecting this, the business trip team is reportedly composed mainly of operational staff. SK Pharmteco is participating jointly with the French CDMO company Eposketch, which it acquired last year.

The Korea Bio Association, together with the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), is organizing a 'Korea Pavilion' as part of its overseas exhibition support project for the domestic bio industry. The pavilion will feature 12 companies including: Gangstem Biotech, a stem cell therapy developer; Bio3S, developing virus infectious disease response and diagnostic technologies; Standigm, an AI-based new drug developer; IMBDX, possessing liquid biopsy-based solution technology; EvidNet, a medical data platform company; DT & Sanomedics, a clinical research organization (CRO); Ludacure, a dry eye treatment developer; Eisen Science, an AI-based new drug developer; S&K Therapeutics, developing new drugs for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases; LSK Global Pharma Services, a CRO; JD Bioscience, a metabolic disease treatment new drug developer; and Tegoscience, a skin cell therapy developer. Chuncheon Bio Industry Promotion Agency is also participating to support the promotion of companies based in Chuncheon.

Active Promotion of Achievements to the Global Market through Presentations

Lee Sang-hoon, CEO of ABL Bio, is explaining 'ABL301,' which was licensed out to Sanofi, at a YouTube corporate presentation held last February. / Screenshot from ABL Bio's YouTube channel

Many companies will also give presentations during BIO USA. Lee Sang-hoon, CEO of ABL Bio, will participate as a panelist in the session titled 'Exploring Innovative Partnership Opportunities in the Asia-Pacific Region' on the morning of the 14th, discussing R&D innovation and investment value.

In the corporate presentation sessions designed to introduce companies, domestic biotech firms such as HAII, Bridge Biotherapeutics, Bio Orchestra, Olipass, Quad Medicine, and Rosetta Exosome will actively participate. Kim Jin-woo, CEO of HAII, is scheduled to introduce the diagnostic accuracy of 'Alzguard,' a digital biomarker for mild cognitive impairment screening, along with major pipelines on the 13th. Bridge Biotherapeutics' Pavel Printsev, Director of Business Development, will present key development projects focusing on next-generation targeted therapy candidates 'BBT-176' and 'BBT-207' as well as 'BBT-401' and 'BBT-877' cancer pipelines.