Celltrion held an orientation for biotech startup companies selected through the Seoul Biohub-Celltrion Open Innovation Program on Tuesday at its Global Biotechnology Research Center in Songdo, Incheon.

The Seoul Biohub-Celltrion Open Innovation Program fosters and supports biotech and medical startups with innovative technologies related to Celltrion's new business and research technology needs.

Last October, Celltrion signed a memorandum of understanding with Seoul Biohub to foster promising bio startups as part of its open innovation strategy.

Four bio startups were selected through evaluation by a panel of judges, including external technology evaluators. The four companies are Medimab Bio, Atheon Bio, Enterobiome, and S&K Therapeutics. Each company works on antibody-based immuno-oncology, microbiome, and small molecules, some of Celltrion's new and existing research areas.

The orientation was also attended by key stakeholders in the program, including Celltrion, Seoul Biohub, the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Must Accelerator, an accelerator (AC) specialist, and representatives of the four selected bio startups. Celltrion, Seoul Biohub, and the startups signed tripartite and non-disclosure agreements (NDA) agreements.

Celltrion will initially support the selected companies with tenancy and rent at Seoul Biohub to help them settle in early. Celltrion will then provide a global program for the selected companies to expand overseas, including support for customized startup development programs and networking with global bio clusters.

"We will provide systematic support to promising bio startups selected through fierce competition to help them grow," said Kwon Ki-sung, senior vice president for R&D at Celltrion. "We will actively share our know-how and network with the selected companies to help them grow from bio startups to conglomerates and seek sustainable growth in this field."