Biohealth Expo 'Bio Korea 2025' Opens with 753 Companies from 61 Countries Participating

Under the Theme of 'Innovation and Collaboration: Shaping the Future Together'
Held at COEX from May 7 to 9

'Bio Korea 2025,' the largest biohealth industry expo in Korea, organized by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute and North Chungcheong Province, opened on May 7 and will run until May 9 at Hall C of COEX in Seoul.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the event is an international expo where the latest technologies in the biohealth industry are showcased and domestic and international companies network through programs such as business partnering, investment fairs, exhibitions, and academic events. This year’s event, held under the theme 'Innovation and Collaboration: Shaping the Future Together,' features participation from 753 companies from 61 countries, and is expected to attract more than 30,000 visitors.

Business partnering, where companies, investors, and research institutes with matching interests are pre-matched to meet on-site, will feature global companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Novo Nordisk, MSD, Eli Lilly, Roche, Boehringer Ingelheim, Takeda Pharmaceutical, Otsuka Pharmaceutical, and Insilico Medicine. In addition, domestic and international pharmaceutical and bio companies such as Celltrion, SK Bioscience, ST Pharm, GC Green Cross, Yuhan, LG Chem, Boryung Pharmaceutical, and Dongwha Pharm will participate in large numbers, making this an opportunity for bio venture companies seeking collaboration with traditional pharmaceutical firms.

In particular, reflecting the demand from domestic and international pharmaceutical companies seeking global cooperation, the number of partnering booths has increased from 56 last year to 68 this year. A 'Partnering Reception' will also be held to further promote business networking among partnering participants.

At the investment fair (Invest Fair), national investment institutions and pension funds such as the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA), the UK Department for Business and Trade, and Singapore’s CBC Group will participate directly to present investment strategies focused on emerging markets and discuss possibilities for cooperation with domestic biotech companies. U.S. and European investment institutions such as Solasta Ventures, Bain Capital, Deerfield, and SD&K Holdings will also participate, offering insights into the investment barriers Korean companies must overcome to enter the global market and presenting strategic approaches to address these challenges. There will also be a wide-ranging discussion on the capabilities and growth potential of Korean bio companies as viewed by the global capital market.

The exhibition hall features 429 booths from 323 companies across 20 countries, including domestic and international pharmaceutical companies, a promotional hall for outstanding domestic small and medium-sized venture companies, a regenerative medicine pavilion, and national pavilions from overseas. Notably, this year, a 'Rising Pavilion' will be operated, showcasing 24 promising domestic small bio venture companies with outstanding technologies. Nine countries and 70 corporate delegations will participate in the national pavilions, led by foreign embassies and trade offices in Korea, to actively engage in business exchanges with interested domestic companies.

The academic program will begin with the opening ceremony in Room 401 at COEX on May 7, followed by keynote speeches. A total of 14 sessions will be held, featuring 111 experts from 11 countries in the biohealth field, who will present and discuss the latest trends and future prospects of the biohealth industry.

Park Minsoo, the Second Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, said in his opening remarks, "I hope that Bio Korea will serve as an opportunity for our companies with next-generation innovative technologies to enter the global market through open innovation and collaboration." He added, "The government will also continue to promote the development of innovative bio technologies and the establishment of a global cooperation ecosystem without setbacks by supporting research and development (R&D) with a budget of one trillion won, creating the K-Bio Vaccine Fund, expanding export support, nurturing professional talent, and improving regulations, in order to become a global leader in biohealth."

Cha Soondo, President of the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, stated, "In the rapidly changing biohealth industry environment, it is more important than ever for companies, institutions, researchers, and investors from around the world to gather in one place to share recent industry trends and issues, and to discuss future strategies and development plans." He expressed hope that "Bio Korea will serve as a global platform for business cooperation among stakeholders in the domestic and international biohealth industry."