[Young journalist Hayoon Cho] Chief executive officers (CEOs) of major domestic pharmaceutical and biotech companies are gathering in full force at the ‘2026 Bio International Convention (Bio USA),’ the world’s largest bioindustry event, to expand global partnerships and secure new clients. As artificial intelligence (AI)-driven drug discovery, ▲next-generation ribonucleic acid (RNA) therapies, ▲antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and ▲contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMO) emerge as key topics this year, South Korean companies are expected to enter a fierce competition to expand tech exports, joint developments, and manufacturing orders.

Bio USA, held from the 22nd (local time) to the 25th at the San Diego Convention Center in California, USA, is the world's largest biotechnology event hosted by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO). This year's event will feature over 1,500 exhibition booths, with more than 20,000 industry officials, investors, and research institute representatives from over 76 countries in attendance. The number of participating South Korean companies is also expected to reach around 70.

Industry experts view this event as a stage to gauge domestic companies’ global business expansion strategies as well as their achievements in technology transfers  and CDMO contract orders for the second half of the year. In particular, analysis suggests that as competition for technology transfers and joint development intensifies in the global bio market, an increasing number of CEOs are visiting the site in person to seek collaboration opportunities with key decision-makers.

Efforts to Expand Global Partnerships

Samsung Biologics is moving to secure global clients, led by CEO John Rim. Operating a standalone booth for the 14th consecutive year since its founding in 2011, the company will introduce its contract research, development, and manufacturing organization (CRDMO) capabilities that encompass contract research (CRO), contract development (CDO), and contract manufacturing (CMO). The company plans to drive the expansion of new orders based on its large-scale production capacity anchored by its Rockville Campus in the U.S. and Songdo production base in Incheon.

LOTTE BIOLOGICS, led by CEO James Park, is also stepping up efforts to target the global CDMO market. The company will set up a private meeting room within its standalone booth to introduce its ‘Dual Site’ strategy that links its Syracuse plant in the U.S. with the Songdo Bio Campus. It will also actively promote the Songdo Bio Campus Plant 1, which is scheduled for completion this August, to win global clients.

SK Biopharm, led by CEO Dong-hoon Lee, will promote its AI-based drug development strategy. Setting up a standalone booth in the 'Digital Health and AI Zone' within the exhibition venue, the company plans to introduce its AI-driven drug discovery, R&D innovation, and patient-centered platform strategies.

ABL Bio CEO Sang Hoon Lee will also visit the site in person to discuss collaboration strategies with global pharmaceutical companies. The company aims to expand partnerships focusing on its blood-brain barrier (BBB) shuttle platform 'Grabody-B' and its 4-1BB-based dual-antibody cancer immunotherapy platform 'Grabody-T.' As competition surrounding next-generation modalities (therapeutic approaches) such as AI drug development, RNA therapies, and ADCs is expected to intensify further, the industry outlook is drawing attention.

AI, RNA, ADC… Competition for Next-Generation Technologies Begins in Earnest

Celltrion will showcase its next-generation drug pipeline competitiveness by introducing its AI-based novel target discovery technology, multi-antibody design platform, and data-driven R&D capabilities. Its strategy is to seek global partnership opportunities to expand its business scope beyond biosimilars (biopharmaceutical generics) into the field of novel drugs.

Dong-A Socio Group will operate a joint booth for Dong-A ST, STPHARM, and BTGen. Dong-A ST will introduce its novel drug pipelines in the fields of oncology, immuno-inflammatory diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases, while STPHARM plans to showcase its RNA business competitiveness backed by its oligonucleotide manufacturing capacity and mRNA-LNP CDMO platform.

Ildong Pharmaceutical Group will engage in discussions for technology exports and commercialization, focusing on its oral glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) class obesity and diabetes treatment candidate 'ID110521156' and P-CAB class gastric disease treatment 'Padoprazan.' Its affiliate Idience will showcase its PARP inhibitor 'Venadaparib,' pan-KRAS inhibitor 'ID12241,' and ADC pipelines.

Rznomics will promote its RNA editing/correcting platform and next-generation circular RNA platform technology, while Pharos iBio will engage in global partnering based on its AI drug development platform 'Chemiverse'-driven oncology pipeline.

The Korea Biotechnology Industry Association will support the global advancement of domestic companies by operating the Korea Pavilion, Korea Night, and the Korea-U.S. Roundtable. In particular, an official session themed around the Korean biotech industry has been arranged for the first time this year to introduce the domestic biotech ecosystem, innovation capabilities, and potential for global collaboration.

The industry is paying close attention to the fact that Bio USA is a venue for practical business cooperation rather than a simple exhibition. As global big pharma companies and investment institutions participate in large numbers, it is widely seen as likely to lead to tangible results in technology exports, joint developments, and manufacturing orders.

An official from the pharmaceutical and biotech industry stated, “As a large number of domestic and foreign companies participate in this Bio USA, companies must present differentiated clinical data and business models to secure competitiveness,” adding, “Success or failure will depend on how persuasively they can showcase the level of commercialization strategies and data that global big pharma companies desire.”

▶원문 기사: CEO 총출동한 K바이오…바이오USA서 기술수출·수주전 (이코노미스트, 2026.7.14) 

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