Lotte Biologics Aims for Global Expansion with ADCs

Press Conference with CEO James Park
at the Bio Japan Venue on the 9th

Lotte Biologics is accelerating its efforts to penetrate the global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) market by focusing on the antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) sector.

At a press conference held on the 9th during 'Bio Japan 2025,' Asia's largest pharmaceutical and biotech exhibition in Yokohama, Japan, CEO James Park stated, "We will provide a one-stop service from antibodies to ADCs, leveraging our dual-site competitiveness in Syracuse, United States, and Songdo, South Korea." He added, "We aim to expand long-term partnerships with Japanese pharmaceutical companies."

James Park, CEO of Lotte Biologics, is explaining the purpose and achievements of participating in 'Bio Japan 2025' at a press conference held on the 9th in Yokohama, Japan. Lotte Biologics

The Japanese market is characterized by the importance of long-term relationships built on trust. CEO Park commented, "Japan is not a market where contracts are concluded overnight," and explained, "We are building trust by communicating directly with senior executives of major pharmaceutical companies through our holding company's network." During Bio Japan, Lotte Biologics held more than 10 meetings with Japanese pharmaceutical companies, and approximately 400 visitors visited the company’s booth on site.

Lotte Biologics has invested over 100 million dollars (approximately 142 billion won) to establish a dedicated ADC production line at its Syracuse plant. The facility is equipped with eight 5,000-liter bioreactors, totaling a capacity of 40,000 liters. For the drug product (DP) process, the company has signed MOUs with two partners in the United States to strengthen its turnkey system. Upon completion in 2027, the Songdo Plant 1 will have a capacity of 120,000 liters and will feature the 'Titer Flex Quad' design optimized for the production of high-potency pharmaceuticals. The company stated, "We will implement the proven quality system from Syracuse identically in Songdo."

Changes in the global environment are also supporting Lotte Biologics’ strategy. The United States is strengthening the Biosecurity Act and onshoring policies, making domestic production a key requirement for CDMO selection. At the same time, due to funding shortages among biotech firms, demand for collaboration with CDMOs from the early stages is increasing.

The company’s order acquisition strategy follows a 'United States to South Korea' transition model. After conducting clinical and initial production in Syracuse, manufacturing is transferred to Songdo as production volume increases. Large-scale antibody therapeutic projects, such as those for Alzheimer’s disease, are currently under discussion, and Songdo Plant is scheduled to begin pre-orders in the second half of next year.

CEO Park remarked, "The advancement of the ADC market ultimately comes down to a battle of quality and speed," and added, "With two continents and one standard, we will become the next-generation CDMO that global clients can trust."