[BioUSA] "Samba Emerges as Top Competitor" Recognized Worldwide

In-Person 'Bio International Convention 2022' Held After 3 Years
Samsung Biologics, Celltrion, Lotte Biologics Launch Aggressive Solo Booth Marketing
Domestic Small and Medium Biotechs Realize Changed Status of 'K-Bio'

"Samsung Biologics is seen as our major competitor." (A representative from the U.S. contract manufacturing organization (CMO) company Catalent)

With the COVID-19 pandemic (global outbreak) coming to an end, the ‘Bio International Convention 2022 (BIO USA)’, held face-to-face again after three years, was an event where the changed status of Korean bio industry could be felt. Like the expo’s slogan ‘Limitless’, it was also a starting point where the long-suppressed potential was expressed.

Notably, Samsung Biologics set up the largest standalone booth among participating companies. They also revealed their ambition to use this BIO USA as a stage to confirm their status as the world’s No. 1 in production capacity. James Choi, Vice President of Samsung Biologics, said, "The bridge crossing the middle of the booth symbolizes the end-to-end solutions provided by Samsung Biologics," emphasizing, "We have the capability to handle the entire process from candidate substance discovery to drug substance (DS) production and drug product (DP) manufacturing." He added, "If the overall event slogan is Limitless, Samsung Biologics represents possibility. Although there have been crises, we will continue the sustainability of the past 10 years, overcoming them, into the next decade."

Existing global contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs) also showed clear caution toward the rapid rise of Samsung Biologics. A Catalent representative met on-site stated, "Along with Samsung, we see Lonza and Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies as our main competitors." He also praised the Incheon Songdo Bio Cluster, where Samsung Biologics and Celltrion are located, saying, "It’s excellent," and added, "We are also considering plans to establish a production base in Korea." On the other hand, regarding Wuxi Biologics in China, which has recently faced difficulties due to geopolitical issues, he firmly said, "No."

Lee Seung-gyu, Vice Chairman of the Korea Bio Association, emphasized that the Korean bio industry, including CDMOs, must seize this opportunity. Lee said, "At BIO USA held three years ago, Wuxi Biologics had an enormous booth, and many companies visited it," stressing, "Now that Chinese companies cannot enter the U.S., this is an opportunity." In fact, Wuxi’s booth was modestly set up without much exhibition content.

High expectations for face-to-face expo after 3 years... Feeling the changed status

Overview of the Celltrion promotional booth set up at the San Diego Convention Center in the United States, where the BIO International Convention 2022 (BIO USA) is being held.

Besides Samsung Biologics, Celltrion and Lotte Biologics also set up standalone booths, holding high hopes for the opportunity that came after three years. A Celltrion representative said, "Since this is the first face-to-face expo after COVID-19, we plan to attend meetings for technology licensing," adding, "Compared to three years ago, there seem to be fewer participating companies, but we still feel it is a major event."

Small and medium-sized biotechs, which have rapidly grown through the COVID-19 crisis, also felt their changed status and expressed their determination to use this event as an opportunity. Lee Sang-hoon, CEO of ABL Bio, who succeeded in a technology out-licensing deal worth a total of $1.06 billion (about 1.369 trillion KRW, including a $75 million upfront payment) with global big pharma Sanofi in January, said, "I felt that our status has changed a lot after the Sanofi big deal," and added, "In the past, we were in a hurry to make contracts, but now we try to meet mainly with large companies to make more meaningful deals."

Kim Jin-han, CEO of Standigm, an artificial intelligence (AI) developer, also said, "In the past, we had to apply for partnering, but now big pharma contacts us first," adding, "As interest in AI drug development has increased, we will use our newly established U.S. office at the Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC) in Boston as a new stage to leap forward."

San Diego, USA = Reporter Lee Chun-hee spring@