[JPM 2026] A $10 Trillion Stage... Global Focus on AI Drug Alliances and New Therapeutic Approaches

JPMHC 2026 Opens in San Francisco

Bio and tech companies with a combined market capitalization of 14 quadrillion won have gathered in San Francisco, USA. As collaborations between big tech and big pharma on artificial intelligence (AI) drug discovery are being unveiled and new modalities (therapeutic approaches) are being announced, the world’s attention is focused on the event.

Jeremy Melman, Co-Head of Healthcare at JPMorgan, delivers the opening remarks at the 44th JPMorgan Healthcare Conference held on the 12th (local time) at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco, USA. JPMorgan

On January 12 (local time), the 44th JP Morgan Healthcare Conference (JPMHC) kicked off at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco. Jeremy Melman, Co-Head of Healthcare at JPMorgan, said in his opening remarks, “The JP Morgan Healthcare Conference, which has a long history in San Francisco, is an occasion to see how much the bio industry has grown. This year, more than 9,000 participants are expected, with over 12,000 investor meetings scheduled.” He added, “There is active engagement across multiple fields such as pharmaceutical, biotech, healthcare, medtech, and diagnostic services. Companies with strong capital are actively using mergers and acquisitions as a core growth strategy. Through all these activities, companies are achieving growth.”

The JP Morgan Healthcare Conference began in 1983 with 21 companies and a combined market capitalization of 4 billion dollars (approximately 5.888 trillion won). In its 44th year, it has grown to around 1,500 companies with a combined market capitalization of about 10 trillion dollars (approximately 14.72 quadrillion won). With more than 9,000 participants and a total of 32,000 meetings, it is now regarded as the largest venue for funding and partnering. Not only the Westin St. Francis Hotel, where the main presentations are held, but also most hotels with convention halls, such as the Marriott and InterContinental, were bustling with global pharmaceutical and biotech industry professionals. The electronic boards in hotel lobbies were filled with meeting schedules for each pharmaceutical company.

The most notable keyword at this year’s opening ceremony was “industrialization of AI-based drug development.” Nvidia and Eli Lilly, the largest pharmaceutical company in the US, announced that they will establish a joint research lab in the San Francisco Bay Area, investing up to 1 billion dollars (approximately 1.472 trillion won) over five years. The research lab is expected to focus on expanding drug development capabilities based on Nvidia’s next-generation AI chip, “Vera Rubin.” Nvidia also unveiled updates to its generative AI models for drug development. The company highlighted improved models that better determine whether AI-designed candidate compounds can actually be synthesized in the lab, emphasizing a strategy to encourage pharmaceutical companies to enhance their platforms using Nvidia’s hardware and software.

On the 12th (local time), citizens are walking in front of the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco, USA, where the 44th JP Morgan Healthcare Conference (JPMHC) was held. Photo by Donghoon Jung

Company presentations at this year’s JPMHC reaffirmed the trend of AI moving to the center of the value chain. Pfizer stated that AI contributed to cost savings of 5.6 billion dollars (about 8.246 trillion won) last year and made it clear that this year, it will particularly expand the application of AI in manufacturing. Novartis announced plans to submit clinical trial applications for 15 new drug candidates based on AI-driven pipeline platforms over the next two years. Sanofi also said it would strengthen reprioritization and business development (BD) execution using analytics, including AI. Johnson & Johnson revealed that, while fostering next-generation platforms such as robotics, it will invest 55 billion dollars (about 81.2 trillion won) in research and development (R&D) and manufacturing in the US and build its supply chain.

Korean companies are expanding their presence in the global pharmaceutical and biotech industry through both official presentations and private meetings. Samsung Biologics and Celltrion presented their business status and mid- to long-term visions in the main track, while Alteogen, Hugel, and D&D Pharmatech participated in both Asia-Pacific session presentations and partnering meetings. In Korea, there is growing recognition that the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference has become a global stage for investment and collaboration, attracting about 1,500 companies and more than 8,000 participants each year.

This year, the on-site activities of third-generation business leaders have also attracted attention. Choi Yoonjung, Head of Strategy at SK Biopharmaceuticals and eldest daughter of SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, stated, “As I am attending JPM as the Head of Strategy, I will actively seek opportunities for collaboration to maximize the value of global partnerships, pipelines, and new modalities, and will work to establish a more multidimensional growth story for SK Biopharmaceuticals.”

Shin Yooyeol, CEO of Lotte Biologics and eldest son of Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dongbin, also said, “The core purpose of this event is to closely analyze global market trends and expand contact points with potential customers. By leveraging the dual production strategy of the Syracuse campus, which specializes in antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) capabilities, and the state-of-the-art Songdo campus to be completed in the second half of the year, we aim to secure meaningful business momentum that goes beyond simple networking and leads to tangible contract signings.”