Korean pharmaceutical companies are preparing to have a significant impact at this year's CPhI 2023 event, taking place in Barcelona, Spain, from Oct. 24 to 26.

CPhI, the world's largest pharma-bio event, annually travels to major European countries. It serves as a crucial platform for global business, facilitating collaboration opportunities among leading companies and organizations in the pharma-bio ecosystem.

This year's event is anticipated to host over 2,000 pharmaceutical suppliers from across the globe, drawing participation from over 47,000 industry stakeholders representing more than 150 countries.

To solidify their global presence, companies like Samsung Biologics, Lotte Biologics, SK pharmteco, Prestige Biopharma Group, Yuyu Pharmaceutical, Jeil Pharmaceutical, and ST Pharm are poised to showcase South Korea's growing influence in the pharmaceutical and health-tech sectors.

Leading CDMOs in Korea to participate in CPhI 2023

Leading South Korean contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs) are gearing up to showcase their capabilities and future plans at this year's global exhibition. Samsung Biologics, a key player, will be participating as a sponsor and is preparing to establish an expansive booth to showcase its global CDMO operations and technical prowess.

The company is actively advancing its second bio-campus and a fifth factory project. The second bio-campus includes four additional plants, with the fifth factory alone receiving a substantial investment of 1.98 trillion won ($1.4 billion).

The factory is poised to manufacture 180,000 liters of pharmaceuticals annually, with the initial processes scheduled to commence by April 2025. Upon its full completion, Samsung Biologics will claim a leading global production capacity of 784,000 liters.

In light of this, the company is anticipated to present its existing production capabilities and offer a glimpse of its future business vision to a global audience during the event.

Lotte Biologics aims to enhance its competitive position by establishing consistent engagement with leading global companies.

The company is set to unveil its long-term business strategy, encompassing its Syracuse site in the U.S. and its three Songdo megaplants, scheduled to commence operations in 2025, 2027, and 2030, with the entire operation expected to be fully operational by 2034.

Upon full completion, the company anticipates achieving a total production capacity of 400,000 liters, which includes their Syracuse site.

ST Pharm is planning to have its core research team and heads of its main CDMO business segments – oligonucleotide, synthetic drugs, and mRNA – present at the exhibition. Their objective is to not only continue ongoing discussions with existing partners but also to diversify and secure new contracts.

SK pharmteco is establishing a dedicated booth with the aim of strengthening its reputation as a comprehensive CDMO company. With a diverse portfolio covering both synthetic and biopharmaceuticals, the company has strategically relocated its exhibit to the contract manufacturing and services section, where many of the world's leading CDMOs are situated.

Active participation by traditional Korean pharma as well

Daewoong Pharmaceutical is preparing to establish a dedicated booth, with a primary focus on its self-developed drugs for gastroesophageal reflux disease, Fexuclue, and diabetes, Envlo.

Building on the company's achievements at last year's CPhI, where it identified its inaugural African regional partner and secured an export contract for 2023, this year's objective is to establish new partnerships and fortify existing ones.

Backed by two consecutive years of successful new drug developments and the demonstration of its production pipeline, Daewoong is determined to reinforce its global presence.

Making its debut at CPhI, Yuyu Pharma will establish a booth to formally enter the global market.

The company plans to present a range of export products, including its improved osteoporosis medication Maxmarvil ECT., Yuhylyx Soft Cap. (benign prostatic hyperplasia), Yuvaro (anticoagulant), and Senuvela Tab. (serum phosphorus control) to potential international buyers.

Prestige Biopharma Group is also in the fray with a large standalone booth, laser-focused on securing global partnerships.

A notable highlight of the event is the participation of Chairwoman Park So-yeon throughout the exhibition, primarily engaging in meetings with potential partners.

According to company sources, several meetings are already scheduled, particularly following last month's MOU with Dr. Reddy's Laboratories and global biosimilar giant Accord Healthcare.

Jeil Pharmaceutical is using CPhI to highlight its products that boast competitive quality under stringent GMP management.

The company aims to elevate its global brand recognition, targeting potential clients with a trio of key product lines -- raw materials, specialty medications, and over-the-counter drugs.

The company plans to highlight its self-developed incrementally modified drugs and the phase 3 clinical trial results of Zastaprazan, a treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease currently under development from its subsidiary, Onconic Therapeutics.

The company expects collaborative discussions with global pharma giants regarding these new drugs.